Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1426748 | Journal of Controlled Release | 2008 | 9 Pages |
The ability of small interfering RNA (siRNA) to regulate gene expression has potential therapeutic applications, but its use is limited by inefficient delivery. Triggered release of adsorbed poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-b-polycation polymers from pH-dependent (PD) liposomes enables protection from immune recognition during circulation (pH 7.4) and subsequent intracellular delivery of siRNA within the endosome (pH ~5.5). Polycationic blocks, based on either poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (31 or 62 DMA repeat units) or polylysine (21 K repeat units), act as anchors for a PEG (113 ethylene glycol repeat units) protective block. Incorporation of 1,2-dioleoyl-3-dimethylammonium-propane (DAP), a titratable lipid, increases the liposome's net cationic character within acidic environments, resulting in polymer desorption and membrane fusion. Liposomes encapsulating siRNA demonstrate green fluorescent protein (GFP) silencing in genetically-modified, GFP-expressing HeLa cells and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD) knockdown in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Bare and PD liposomes coated with PEG113-DMA31 exhibit a 0.16 ± 0.2 and 0.32 ± 0.3 fraction of GFP knockdown, respectively. In contrast, direct siRNA administration and Oligofectamine complexed siRNA reduce GFP expression by 0.06 ± 0.02 and 0.14 ± 0.02 fractions, respectively. Our in vitro data indicates that polymer desorption from PD liposomes enhances siRNA-mediated gene knockdown.