Sucrose ester based cationic liposomes as effective non-viral gene vectors for gene delivery

•Liposomes with sucrose ester could improve transfection and reduce cytotoxicity.•Liposomes with sucrose ester could deliver siRNA into tumors of mice.•Sucrose esters could be highly desirable candidates for gene delivery systems.

As sucrose esters (SEs) are natural and biodegradable excipients with excellent drug dissolution and drug absorption/permeation in controlled release systems, we firstly incorporated SE into liposomes for gene delivery in this article. A peptide-based lipid (CDO14), Gemini-based quaternary ammonium-based lipid (CTA14), and mono-head quaternary ammonium lipid (CPA14), and SE as helper lipid, were prepared into liposomes which could enhance the interactions between liposomes and pDNA. Most importantly, the liposomes with helper lipid SE showed higher transfection and lower cytotoxicity than those without SE in Hela and A549 cells. It was also found that the transfection efficiency increased with the increase of SE content. The selected liposome, CDO14/SE, was able to deliver siRNA against luciferase for silencing gene in lung tumors of mice, with little in vivo toxicity. The results convincingly demonstrated SEs could be highly desirable candidates for gene delivery systems.

Graphical abstractThe cationic lipsomes with sucrose ester as helper lipid can efficiently transfer DNA and siRNA into tumor cells and tumors of mice with little in vitro and in vivo toxicity.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide