Gene transfer to eukaryotic cells by a virus-like liposomal nano-system

This study introduces an efficient virus-like system for gene delivery and DNA vaccine production by designing a delivery system based on membrane phosphatidylcholine. This structure would be beneficial in different branches of medicine.

In order to encapsulate plasmid DNA in a closed structure, we were able to construct a cell-like system encapsulating DNA employing two consequtive dehydration-rehydration processes. The characteristics of the obtained structure were investigated by electrophoresis, spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS). After optimization of the system, they were added to CHO cells to deliver GFP reporter gene, and then its toxicity was investigated. Their transfection efficiency was studied by using fluorescence microscopy.

Inspite of the fact thet the designed lipid bilayer system was neutral in terms of surface charges, it was able to encapsulate DNA with high efficiency (98%) even in the absence of cations. In addition, the resulted system was highly stable and also was able to keep the DNA molecule in its structure for more than 6 months. These virus-like lipid bilayer vesicles were able to transfect the reporter gene GFP to CHO cells.

Although the cationic structures are very common in DNA vaccines production now, their cytotoxic properties limit their application. New results in terms of gene delivery by neutral structures would be promising in this field and production of the efficient and safe system against viral diseases. Since the construction of this system is cost benefit, it could be used for people in deprived areas.