Liposomal gene delivery systems use liposomes to transport genetic material into cells. Liposomes are spherical lipid bilayers that can fuse with cell membranes. There are three types of lipids used - cationic lipids that bind to DNA, neutral lipids that stabilize the complex, and anionic lipids that are less efficient for delivery. Cationic liposomes form lipoplexes with DNA through electrostatic interactions and can transfect cells. Polyethylene glycol coating makes lipoplexes stealthier to avoid clearance. While liposomal systems provide nuclease protection and targeting, efficiency remains low and expression is transient. Research continues to improve targeting and stability for in vivo gene therapy applications.

1. LIPOSOMAL GENE DELIVERY SYSTEMS
GUIDED BY:
DR.M.VARALAKSHMI PRESENTED BY:
M.PHARM.,Ph.D.. G.DURGA BHAVANI
M.PHARM-1st YEAR
PHARMACEUTICS
18IS1S0314
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL
UNIVERSITY-KAKINADA

2. CONTENTS:
 LIPOSOMES
 GENE THERAPY
 LIPOSOMAL GENE DELIVERY SYSTEMS
- INTRODUCTION
-PRINCIPLE
-CHARACTERISTCS
-CLASSIFICATION OF LIPIDS
-ADVANTAGES
-DISADVANTAGES
-USES
 CONCLUSION
 REFERENCES

3.  Liposomes were discovered in the year 1960 by British haematologist
“Dr.Alec D.Bangham”.
 These are the concentric bilayered vesicles in which an aqueous core is entirely enclosed
by a membrane lipid bilayer mainly composed of natural and synthetic phospholipids.
 Its Size range varies from 20nm-3 microns.
 Liposomes are spheres of lipids which can be used to transport the molecules into the
cells.
LIPOSOMES:

4. •Cholesterol is often essential to achieve sufficient stability of these liposomes and act as
fluidity buffer.
DRUG PROPERTIES AND LIPOSOMALASSOCIATION:
Hydrophilic Retained in aqueous interior,but may be
difficult to get high drug loading.
Slowly released over several
hours- several days.
Hydrophobic Inserted into hydrophobic interior of
liposomal bilayer, but can disrupt
liposome at higher concentration.
Excellent retention.
Intermediate Rapidly partition between lipid bilayer
and aqueous phase.
Rapid release from liposomes but
pH manipulation or change in
formulation of molecular
complex can result in good
retention.

5. GENE THERAPY:
 Gene therapy is an experimental technique that uses genes to treat or prevent diseases
by introducing DNA into cells.
 It is an alternative therapy of using drugs or surgery.
TYPES:
 Gene therapy is the one which is currently being tested for the treatment of diseases that
has no other cures.
 But genetic materials are high molecular weight polar compounds that don’t permeate
the biological barrier easily and it requires special carriers and targeting methods.
 So, these gene delivery systems were categorised as follows:
Gene therapy
Germ line gene
therapy
Somatic gene
therapy
Ex-vivo
In-vivo

6. V
Key to success for any gene therapy strategy is to design a vector that is able to serve as
safe and efficient gene delivery vehicle which encouraged the development of non-viral
DNA mediated gene transfer technique.
Viral vectors These have stability and are very efficient in transducing cells but their
cost is high and toxicity is a big issue.
Non-viral vectorsThese are safe and non-invasive delivery methods and easy to handle.

7. LIPOSOMAL GENE DELIVERY SYSTEMS:
INTRODUCTION:
 Liposomes have been explored as a delivery system for DNA as early as in 1979.
 The encapsulation of plasmid DNA into liposomes and the introduction of poliovirus
RNA and SV40 DNA into cells via liposomes were reported between 1979 and 1980.
 These are vesicles that can easily merge with the cell membrane. since, they both are
made up of phospholipid bilayers, and these are surrounded by the molecule to be
transported and promote its transport after fusing with the cell membrane.
 The technique which is used to inject the genetic material into a cell by means of
liposomes is known as “Lipofection or liposome transfection or lipoplex”.
 Lipoplex are non-viral synthetic nucleic acid carriers utilizing cationic phosphate lipid
mixtures to condense and protect the nucleic acid.
PRINCIPLE:
 Lipofection generally uses a positively charged(cationic)lipid to form a structure with
the negatively charged(anionic)genetic material.
 Fusion of the liposome/nucleic acid transfection complex with the negatively charged
cell membrane takes place.
 The transfection complex is then enter into the cell through endocytosis.

8.  Once enter inside the cell ,the complex must escape the endosomal pathway, diffuse
through the cytoplasm and enter the nucleus for gene expression.
E.g.,Animal cells, plant cells,Bacteria,yeast protoplast are susceptible to lipofection
method.
CHARACTERISTICS:
 Liposomes are generally formed by the self-assembly of dissolved lipid molecules,
each of which contains a hydrophilic head group and hydrophobic tails and these can
exhibit a range of sizes and morphologies upon the assembly of pure lipids or lipid
mixtures suspended in an aqueous medium.
 During the compaction of polynucleotides into liposomes assemblies number of
structures have been known to appear. Each structure is formed in the most
energetically favourable conformation based upon the specific lipids used in the
system.

9.  A dependent term known as “structure packing parameter” which can be used to suggest
what shape the amphiphile will take depending on the ratio of size variables.
 The packing parameter is defined as:
P=V/alc
where,v=volume of hydrocarbon portion.
a=effective area of head group.
lc =length of lipid tail.
This correlation predicts a range of structures
According to the following conditions.
Packing
parameter
structures
P<1/3 spherical micelle
1/3≤p<1/2 cylindrical micelle
½≤p<1 flexible bilayers ,vesicles
p=1 planar bilayers
P>1 inverted micelle

10.  But here, the encapsulation of DNA into conventional liposomes could be a terminal
problem due to the plasmid size which results into poor transfection.
 Alternative technology is the formation of cationic liposomes and PE complex which was
developed in late 1980’s.
 Based on the charge on head group in lipoplex, these lipids were categorised into 3 types.
CLASSIFICATION OF LIPIDS:
1)CATIONIC LIPIDS:
 Cationic lipids are those having a positive charge which associate with the negatively charged
DNA molecules by electrostatic interactions, forming a stable complex and are used for the
transfer of nucleic acids.
 cationic head group appear to be better suited for DNA delivery due to the neutral charge
attraction between negatively charged phosphate group and positively charged head group.
LIPIDS
Cationic lipids
Neutral lipids
Anionic lipids
Monovalent cl
Multivalent cl

11.  Its idea is to neutralize charge of plasmid with positively charged lipids to capture
plasmid more efficiently and to deliver DNA into cells.
 The basic structure of cationic lipids mimics the chemical and physical attributes of
biological lipids.
 Here, lipoplex is formed by combining the cationic lipids, neutral lipids and genetic
material.
 Cationic lipids should be chemically stable, biodegradable and protect against
degradation of DNA by cell.
 Cationic lipids are divided into 2 TYPES.
A) MONOVALENT CATIONIC LIPIDS:
i ) DOTMA:
 It was one of the first synthesized cationic lipid and was described by “felgner et al”.
 Its structure consist of 2 unsaturated oleoyl chains(c18;Δ9)bond to an ether bond to the
3-carbon skeleton of a glycerol with a quaternary amine as cationic head group.
 DOTMA proved to facilitate up to 100 fold more efficient gene expression then the use
of DEAE-dextran co-ppt or ca2po4.
 Liposomal sensitivity is 25%-30%.

12. PROCEDURE:
 Mix cationic lipids+ neutral lipids+ DNA to
cell results in the formation of aggregation
composed of DNA and cationic lipids.
 DOTMA either alone or in combination with
other neutral lipids spontaneously form MLV
which may be further sonicated to form SUV.
 DOTMA ( lipofective TM) can reduce cytotoxicity. DOTMA

13. ii)DOTAP:
 It was first synthesized by “Leventis and silvius” in 1990.
 Its structure consist of a quaternary amine head group coupled to glycerol backbone with
2-oleoyl chains.
 Difference between DOTMA and DOTAP are that ester bonds link the chains to the
backbone rather than ether bonds.
 Liposomal sensitivity is 25%-30%.
 But DOTAP is completely protonated at pH(7.4). so, that more energy is required to
separate the DNA from the lipoplex for successful transfection.
 Thus, for DOTAP to be more effective in gene delivery it should be combined with a
helper lipid as seen in most cationic lipid formulation.
 In this, high temperature and long incubation time have been used to create lipoplex that
exhibit resistance to serum interaction.
DOTAP

14. iii)DC-CHOL:
 It was first synthesized by “GAO and HUANG” in 1991.
 It contains a cholesterol moiety attached by an ester bond to a hydrolysable dimethyl
ethylene diamine.
 Cholesterol is chosen for its biocompatibility and stability and it imparts to lipid
membrane.
B)MULTIVALENT CATIONIC LIPIDS:
i)DOSPA:
 It is similar to DOTMA except for a spermine group which is bound via a peptide bond
to a hydrophobic chain.
 This cationic lipid, used with a neutral helper lipid DOPE at a 3:1 ratio which is
commercially available as the transfection regent “LIPOFECTAMINE”.
DC-CHOL

15. ii)DOGS:
 It structure is similar to DOSPA as both molecules have a multivalent spermine head
group and two 18 carbon alkyl chains.
 However,the chains in DOGS are saturated and are linked to the head group through a
peptide bond and lack a quaternary amine.
 DOGS is commercially available under the name “TRANSFECTAM”.
 This lipid has been used to transfect many cell lines, with transgene expression levels
more than 10-fold greater than those seen in calcium phosphate transfections.
 In addition, “Behr et al” showed that not only DOGS was very effective in delivering
the CAT reporter plasmid, but it was also associated with no noticeable cytotoxicity.
DOSPA DOGS

16. MODIFICATIONS:
POLY ETHYLENE GLYCOL:
 Recent improvements in lipofection have facilitated protection from degradation in vivo,
due to surface modifications with polyethylene glycol (PEG).
 It was shown by “Kim et al” that pegylated lipoplex yield, increases transfection
efficiencies in the presence of serum as compared to liposomal transfection. additionally,
the PEGylated lipoplexes display improved stabilities and longer circulation times in
blood
 PEG forms a steric barrier around lipoplex and results into reduced aggregation and
increased bioavailability.
 PEG presents many attractive qualities as a liposomal coating, such as:
availability in a variety of molecular weights.
lack of toxicity.
ready excretion by the kidneys.
ease of application.
 These particles are sometimes referred to as “stealth liposomes.”

17. Additions and Alternatives to Polyethylene Glycol:
 Alternative liposomal formulations utilizing polymers other than PEG are being
produced with the goal of creating steric ally protected lipoplexes.
 Additional aims of such systems include biocompatibility, flexible structure, and
solubility in physiological systems .
 A report by “Metselaar et al” on the use of L-amino-acid-based polymers for lipoplex
modification found an extended circulation time and reduced clearance by macrophages
at levels similar to those seen with lipoplexes modified with PEG.
 These oligopeptides are attractive alternatives to PEG due to advantages such as
increased biodegradability and favourable pharmacokinetics when lower concentrations
are used per dose.
2)NEUTRAL LIPIDS:
 Most liposomal formulations used for gene delivery consist of a combination of charged
lipids and neutral helper lipids.
 The neutral helper lipids used are often dioleoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine (DOPE),
which is the most widely used neutral helper lipid, or dioleoylphosphatidyl choline
(DOPC).
 Neutral lipids stabilize the complex in serum and reduce toxicity.
 Results have shown that the use of DOPE versus DOPC as the helper lipid yields higher

18. transfection efficiencies in many cell types.
3)ANIONIC LIPID:
 In general, gene delivery by anionic lipids is not very efficient.
 The negatively charged head group prevents efficient DNA compaction due to repulsive
electrostatic forces that occur between the phosphate backbone of DNA and the anionic
head groups of the lipids.
 However, due to the fact that cationic liposomes can be inactivated in the presence of
serum, are unstable upon storage, and exhibit some cytotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo.
 Commonly used lipids in this category are phospholipids that can be found naturally in
cellular membranes such as phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylglycerol, and
phosphatidylserine.
 Little toxicity, compaction with body fluids ,complicated and time consuming process.
DOPE DOPC

19.  DNA entrapment in anionic liposomes is still inefficient, and cytotoxicity data remain
inadequate.
 Sometimes, the DNA molecules get entrapped within the aqueous interior of these
liposomes.
 Then, divalent cations are used (e.g. Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, and Ba2+) which can
neutralize the mutual electrostatic repulsion.
 They are termed as pH sensitive due to destabilization at low pH.
 Due to reduced toxicity and interference from serum proteins, pH-sensitive liposomes
are considered as potential gene delivery vehicles than the cationic liposomes.
Phosphatidic acid Phosphatidyl glycerolPhosphatidyl serine

20. ADVANTAGES:
 Simplicity.
 Non-infectious.
 Long term stability
 Low degree of toxicity.
 Protection of nucleic acid from degradation.
 Easy to manipulate and use.
 Easier to prepare than viral vectors.
 Lack of immunogenic response.
 Low cost, economical.
 Provides nuclease protection and targetability.
 Efficient delivery of nucleic acids to cells in a culture dish.
 It has no constraints on the size of the gene that has to be delivered.

21. DISADVANTAGES:
 Targeting is not specific.
 Low transfection efficiency.
 only transient expression.
 Difficult in-vivo application.
 Not applicable to all types of cell.

22. USES:
 Liposomes composed of DOPE/OLEIC ACID/CHOL are capable of
transfecting mouse LLK-cells(cells lacking thymidine kinase with
exogenous Tk gene.
 Cationic lipids prepared from DOPE and DC-CHOL were reported to be
significantly enhance the growth inhibitory effect of antisense
oligodeoxynucleotides (ASODN)against the human telomerase
transcriptase on human cervical adeno carcinoma cell both invitro and in
vivo.
 cationic liposomes are used to deliver CDNA of cystic fibrosis trans
membrane conductance regulator(CFTR) to epithelial tissue of respiratory
system which is currently in clinical trails.

23. CONCLUSION:
 The shape of liposomes that are formed are determined by the types of lipids used,
which, in turn, provides various options regarding delivery.
 The cationic head group appears to be better suited for DNA delivery while anionic
head groups are perhaps better suited for drug delivery.
 One must keep in mind all of the variables that come into play when using different
gene delivery vectors. There is no concrete comparison that can easily be made to
suggest that one liposomal vector is better than another for all cell types, environment,
and applications.
 While some of the lipids presented above were originally found to yield little to-no
toxicity for a given cell type, this information doesn't hold true when applied to
different cell types.
 Improvements and adjustments of the formulations are constantly being explored
through the addition of different lipids, targeting molecules or shielding moieties
designed to prevent clearance in vivo.

24. REFERENCES:
 Daniel A. Balazs and WT.Godbey, “Liposomes for use in Gene Delivery,”
Review Article, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, Journal of Drug Delivery,
vol. 1, pp.1-12, 2011.
 A. Jesorka and O. Orwar, “Liposomes: technologies and analytical
applications,” Annual Review of Analytical Chemistry, vol. 1, pp. 801-832,
2008.
 T.Montier, T. Benvegnu, P.-A. Jaffres, J.-J. Yaouanc, and P.Lehn, “Progress in
cationic lipid-mediated gene transfection: a series of bio inspired lipids as an
example,” Current Gene Therapy, vol.8,no.5,pp.296-312,2008.
 C. Tros de Ilarduya, Y. Sun, and N. Duzunes, “Gene delivery by lipoplexes and
polyplexes,” European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, vol. 40, no.3, pp.
159-170, 2010.
 J. H. Felgner, R. Kumar, C. N. Sridhar et al, “Enhanced gene delivery and
mechanism studies with a novel series of cationic lipid formulations,” Journal
of Biological Chemistry, vol.269,no.4,pp.2550-2561,1994.