Effect of hydrophobic scaffold on the cellular uptake and gene transfection activities of DNA-encapsulating liposomal nanoparticles via intracerebroventricular administration

Efficient DNA carriers are needed as a gene medication for curing brain disorders. In the present study, the function of a neutral lipid envelope-type nanoparticle (LNP) encapsulating pDNA was evaluated after intracerebroventricular administration. The lipid envelope was composed of a series of SS-cleavable and pH-activated lipid like materials (ssPalm) including myristic acid, vitamin A and vitamin E in the hydrophobic scaffold (LNPssPalmM, LNPssPalmA, LNPssPalmE, respectively). The LNPssPalmA and LNPssPalmE were extensively distributed in the corpus callosum, and then gene expression occurred mainly astrocytes in this region, while not in LNPssPalmM. The recombinant human ApoE3-dependent enhancement of the uptake into an astrocyte-derived cell line (KT-5) was observed in LNPssPalmA and LNPssPalmE. Thus, ApoE in the brain plays a key role in the cellular uptake of these particles by astrocytes, and this uptake is dependent on the structure of the hydrophobic scaffold.

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