Evaluation and comparison of physicochemical properties, cytotoxicity and the ability of miRNA loading of different cationic liposomes for gene therapy application

In the present study, various formulations of cationic liposomes were designed and prepared using different cationic lipids. It was performed to assess the physicochemical properties, miRNA loading ability and cellular toxicity rates of liposomes in order to use in gene therapy.
Different cationic liposome formulations (F1-F4) containing various cationic lipids, DOTAP, DOTMA, DOAB and DDAB with DPPC, cholesterol and phospholipid DSPE-mPEG were synthesized. Prepared nanoparticles were evaluated in term of particle size, polydisparity index, surface charge and cytotoxicity for 48 and 72 h in two cell lines. By using gel electrophoresis, the ability of synthesized cationic liposomes to entrap miRNA was also compared.
All formulations were mono-dispersed. The particle size in F1, which contained DOTAP was lower than others (F2-F4) and its surface charge was more than them. Cationic liposomes based on DOTAP had no significant cytotoxicity as compared to other formulations. Also, F1 formulation was more capable to entrap miRNA than other formulas.
DOTAP-based cationic liposomes can be used efficiently in the gene therapy process, especially for the transfer of miRNA as a new therapeutic agent in cancer therapy