Comparison of two lipid/DNA complexes of equal composition and different morphology

Two types of complexes were prepared from a cationic cholesterol derivative, dioleoylphos-phatidylcholine and DNA. Depending on the preparation procedure complexes were either dense snarls of lipid covered DNA (type A) or multilayer liposomes with DNA between layers (type B). The transfection efficiency of the snarl-shaped complexes was low but positive. The transfection efficiency of the liposome-shaped complexes was zero, while DNA release upon their interaction with anionic liposomes was 1.7 times higher. The differences in transfection efficacy and DNA release could not be ascribed to the difference in resistance of complexes to decomposition upon interaction with anionic liposomes or intracellular environment since the lipid composition of complexes is the same. Instead the complexes in which lipoplex phase is more continuous (type A) should require more anionic lipids or more time within a cell for complete decomposition. Prolonged life time should lead to the higher probability of DNA expression.     

Physicochemical and biological properties of polyampholytes: Quaternized derivatives of poly(4-vinylpyridine)

The modification of poly(4-vinylpyridine) with ω-bromocarboxylic acids and alkyl bromides yields three types of polyampholytes: polyampholytes containing both cationic and anionic groups in each monomer unit (polybetaines), polyampholytes containing betaine and cationic units, and polyampholytes containing betaine units and side cetyl radicals. Their complex formation with liposomes formed from zwitterionic (electroneutral) phosphatidylcholine and anionic diphosphatidylglycerol (cardiolipin) is investigated. The method for fixation of polymers on the liposomal membrane and the stability of the formed complexes are determined by the chemical structure of macromolecules. For the most part, polyelectrolytes are electrostatically adsorbed on the membrane and are fully removed from it with an increase in the salt concentration in the surrounding solution. An exception is the polybetaine obtained through the modification of poly(4-vinylpyridine) with ω-bromobutyric acid, which irreversibly binds to liposomes probably owing to the incorporation of macromolecular fragments into the hydrophobic part of the lipid bilayer. The insertion of side cetyl radicals into polybetaine molecules stabilizes their complexes with liposomes in the presence of salts. The cytotoxicity of the synthesized polyampholytes is one to two orders of magnitude lower than that of a cationic polymer with the same degree of polymerization.     

Stability of anionic liposome-cationic polymer complexes in water-salt media

Laser microelectrophoresis, dynamic light scattering, and fluorescence and UV spectroscopy are employed to study poly-N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide adsorption on the surface of bilayer lipid vesicles (liposomes) formed from mixtures of anionic phosphatidyl serine and electroneutral phosphatidylcholine. It is established that polycation adsorption is accompanied by the neutralization of charges on liposomes and their aggregation. The subsequent addition of a low-molecular-weight salt (NaCl) solution to suspensions of complexes causes them to dissociate into their initial components, while the stability of the complexes with respect to the salt action increases with the fraction of the anionic lipid in the liposome membranes. The data obtained are interpreted from the position of the formation-disintegration of a molecular capacitor, the charge of which is generated by spatially separated anionic lipids located in the bilayer membrane and cationic units of the adsorbed polyamine.     

Formation of interfacial milk protein complexation to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions against calcium

The interactions between cationic liposomes doped with the anionic nucleolipid 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-cytidine diphosphate (DP-Cyt) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) were investigated. Toward this goal, new liposomal and lipoplex formulations characterized by the presence of the anionic amphiphile DP-Cyt were proposed. The effects of incorporation of the cytosine functionalized lipid DP-Cyt into the cationic bilayers were analyzed by means of electrophoretic mobility, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. These approaches allowed us to follow the DNA condensation process and to identify specific electrokinetic characteristics of liposome and DNA-liposome complexes formation. Specifically, DP-Cyt liposomes and DNA were shown to form electrically stable or unstable complexes depending on the charge ratio between the phosphate group of DNA and the cationic lipid. Remarkably, a prominent role for DP-Cyt in enhancing the DNA binding capacity on liposomes was demonstrated. Zeta potential experiments performed on systems with different liposomes/DNA ratio showed that the value of the charge neutralization point is a function of the content of the incorporated DP-Cyt. As a whole, our data demonstrate that the association of cationic DP-Cyt doped liposomes with DNA is driven by both electrostatic interaction and additional specific interactions at the polar head level based on the cytidine nucleobase.     

Structural stability against disintegration by anionic lipids rationalizes the efficiency of cationic liposome/DNA complexes

Reported here is the correlation between the transfection efficiency of cationic liposome/DNA complexes (lipoplexes) and the structural evolution that they undergo when interacting with anionic membrane lipids. Multicomponent lipoplexes, incorporating from three to six lipid species simultaneously, presented a much higher transfection efficiency than binary lipoplexes, which are more commonly used for gene-delivery purposes. The discovery that a high transfection efficiency can be achieved by employing multicomponent complexes at a lower-than-ever-before membrane charge density of lipoplexes was of primary significance. Synchrotron small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXD) experiments showed that anionic liposomes made of dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPG) disintegrated the lamellar phase of lipoplexes. DNA unbinding was measured by electrophoresis on agarose gels. Most importantly, structural changes induced by anionic lipids strictly depended on the lipid composition of lipoplexes. We found evidence of the existence of three different regimes of stability related to the interaction between complexes and anionic membranes. Both unstable (with low membrane charge density, sigmaM) and highly stable lipoplexes (with high sigmaM) exhibited low transfection efficiency whereas highly efficient multicomponent lipoplexes exhibited an "optimal stability". This intermediate regime reflects a compromise between two opposing constraints: protection of DNA in the cytosol and endosomal escape. Here we advance the concept that structural stability, upon interaction with cellular anionic lipids, is a key factor governing the transfection efficiency of lipoplexes. Possible molecular mechanisms underlying experimental observations are also discussed.     

Complexes of anionic liposomes and a cationic polymer: Composition,structure, and characteristics

Adsorption of the synthetic polycation poly-N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide (PEP) on the surface of bilayered lipid vesicles (liposomes) is studied. Two types of liposomes are used: (i) traditional two-component liposomes formed from neutral phosphatidylcholine (PC) and anionic diphosphatidylglycerol (cardiolipin, CL²⁻) and (ii) PC/CL²⁻ anionic liposomes with the built-in nonionogenic surfactant poly(ethyleneglycol) cetyl ether with a degree of polymerization of 20 (Brij-58). PEP is quantitatively linked with both types of liposomes; this process is electrostatic in character and fully reversible. The formation of a poly(ethylene glycol) layer on liposomal membrane decreases the stability of polycation-liposome complexes in aqueous salt solutions. Adsorption of PEP on the surface of PC/CL²⁻ liposomes is accompanied by their aggregation; PC/CL²⁻/Brij liposomes do not aggregates, even during complete neutralization of their charge by the adsorbed PEP. DSC measurements showed that the adsorption of the polycation is accompanied by microphase separation in the liposomal membrane: formation of domains, which are composed primarily of CL²⁻ molecules and linked to the complex with PEP, and regions, where electroneutral lipids are primarily concentrated. With the use of a spin probe, the packing density of bilayers (their microviscosity) is estimated, and a preferential localization of the probe at the boundaries of lipid domains in the membrane based on PC/CL²⁻/Brij liposomes is proposed. The causes of the aggregative stability of three-component PC/CL²⁻/Brij liposomes are described, and the structure of the prepared polymer-liposome complexes is discussed.     

Inverse-phosphocholine lipids: a remix of a common phospholipid

Zwitterionic inverse-phosphocholine (iPC) lipids contain headgroups with an inverted charge orientation relative to phosphocholine (PC) lipids. The iPC lipid headgroup has a quaternary amine adjacent to the bilayer interface and a phosphate that extends into the aqueous phase. Neutral iPC lipids with ethylated phosphate groups (CPe) and anionic iPC lipids nonethylated phosphate groups (CP) were synthesized. The surface potential of CPe liposomes remains negative across a broad pH range and in the presence of up to 10 mM Ca(2+). CP liposomes aggregate in the presence of Ca(2+), but at a slower rate than other anionic lipids. Hydrolysis of CP lipids by alkaline phosphatases generates a cationic lipid. CPe liposomes release encapsulated anionic carboxyfluorescein (CF) 20 times faster than PC liposomes and release uncharged glucose twice as fast as PC liposomes. As such, iPC lipids afford a unique opportunity to investigate the biophysical and bioactivity-related ramifications of a charge inversion at the bilayer surface.     

Competitive Reactions in Three-Component System Cationic Colloid–Anionic Liposome–Protein

The formation of complexes of anionic liposomes (50 nm) and polymer microspheres with grafted polycationic chains with a diameter of 240 nm (spherical polycationic brushes) in a physiological solution at a NaCl concentration of 0.15 mol/L is investigated. Liposomes are quantitatively adsorbed on the surface of brushes; every brush can bind up to 24 intact liposomes. The saturated brush–liposome complex is able to additionally bind negatively charged protein albumin; the excess of protein does not displace liposomes from the complex with brushes. The obtained results are important for understanding the mechanism of formation and functioning of electrostatic multiliposomal containers in biological media containing a high amount of protein.     

Structure and characteristics of the complexes between polyampholites and anionic liposomes

Polyampholites are synthesized by the alkylation of poly-4-vinylpyridine with ω-bromocarboxylic acids, and their interaction with the negatively charged bilayer lipid vesicles (liposomes) is studied. In the above polymers, quaternized pyridine units are zwitterion (betaine) groups, in which cationic and anionic groups are linked by the -(CH₂) _n -bridges. Via the methods of fluorescence, laser scattering, and DSC, the length of the ethylene spacer in the betaine group is shown to control the ability of the polymer to interact with anionic liposomes and induce structural rearrangements in the liposomal membrane. At n = 1, polybetaine is not linked to anionic liposomes. At n = 2, polybetaine is sorbed on the membrane, but it causes no dramatic structural rearrangements in the bilayer. At n = 3, the adsorption of polybetaine triggers the lateral segregation of lipids in the outer membrane layer. At n = 5, adsorption of polymer is accompanied by the lateral segregation and flip-flop of lipid molecules; as a result, all anionic membrane lipids are involved in the microphase separation. This evidence is of evident interest for the controlled design of polymers and related complexes and conjugates for biomedical applications.     

Polymer-associated liposomes as a novel delivery system for cyclodextrin-bound drugs

It is known that cyclodextrins (CDs) extract lipid components from bilayer of liposomes. This could undermine the potential benefits of liposomes as drug carriers. In this study, we demonstrated that PC-Chol liposomes with various CDs or rhapontin (Rh)-hydroxypropyl betaCD (HPbetaCD) complexes could be stabilized by association with the amphiphilic polyelectrolyte, poly(methacrylic acid-co-stearyl methacrylate). Based on the results of differential scanning calorimetry, photocorrelation spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, the polymer-associated liposomes had the same vesicular form as liposome with clear boundaries and retained structural integrity for at least 1 month. In addition, the polymer-associated structure was unaffected by the type of CD, the composition and concentration of lipid components, and the concentration of the Rh-HPbetaCD complex. This contrasted with PC-Chol liposomes, whose structure was dependent on these factors. Using structurally different polymer-associated liposomes and PC-Chol liposomes containing the Rh-HPbetaCD complex, we also showed that the stability of vesicles could influence the skin permeability of CD-drug complexes.     

Multicomponent cationic lipid-DNA complex formation: role of lipid mixing

Multicomponent cationic lipid-DNA complexes (lipoplexes) were prepared by adding linear DNA to mixed lipid dispersions containing two populations of binary cationic liposomes and characterized by means of small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Four kinds of cationic liposomes were used. The first binary lipid mixture was made of the cationic lipid (3'[N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl]cholesterol (DC-Chol) and the neutral helper lipid dioleoylphosphocholine (DOPC) (DC-Chol/DOPC liposomes), the second one of the cationic 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) and the neutral dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) (DOTAP/DOPE liposomes), the third one of DC-Chol and DOPE (DC-Chol/DOPE liposomes), and the fourth one of DOTAP and DOPC (DOTAP/DOPC liposomes). Upon DNA-induced fusion of liposomes, large lipid mixing at the molecular level occurs. As a result, highly organized mixed lipoplexes spontaneously form with membrane properties intermediate between those of starting liposomes. By varying the composition of lipid dispersions, different DNA packing density regimes can also be achieved. Furthermore, occurring lipid mixing was found to induce hexagonal to lamellar phase transition in DOTAP/DOPE membranes. Molecular mechanisms underlying experimental findings are discussed.     

Multi-compartment containers from a mixture of natural and synthetic lipids

Small anionic liposomes were electrostatically adsorbed on the surface of larger cationic liposomes thus forming multi- compartment complexes composed exclusively of natural and synthetic lipids. The complexes contained two dozen anionic liposomes per a single cationic liposome and showed low cytotoxicity and ability to enzyme-induced bio-degradation. The liposomal multi-compartment complexes demonstrate great application potential as containers for drug encapsulation and delivery.     

Evaluation of asymmetric liposomal nanoparticles for encapsulation of polynucleotides

Conventional lipid bilayer liposomes have similar inner and outer leaflet compositions; asymmetric liposomes have different lipid leaflet compositions. The goal of this work is to place cationic lipids in the inner leaflet to encapsulate negatively charged polynucleotides and to place neutral/anionic lipids on the outer leaflet to decrease nonspecific cellular uptake/toxicity. Inverse emulsion particles have been developed with a single lipid leaflet of cationic and neutral lipids surrounding an aqueous core containing a negatively charged 21-mer DNA oligo. The particles are accelerated through an oil-water interface, entrapping a second neutral lipid to form oligo encapsulated unilamellar liposome nanoparticles. Inverse emulsion particles can be consistently produced to encapsulate an aqueous environment containing negatively charged oligo. The efficiency of encapsulated liposome formation is low and depends on the hydrocarbon used as the oil phase. Dodecane, mineral oil, and squalene were tested, and squalene, a branched hydrocarbon, yielded the highest efficiency.     

Enhanced transfection efficiency of multicomponent lipoplexes in the regime of optimal membrane charge density

Recently, membrane charge density of lipid membranes, sigma M, has been recognized as a universal parameter that controls the transfection efficiency of complexes made of binary cationic liposomes and DNA (binary lipoplexes). Three distinct regimes, most likely related to interactions between complexes and cells, have also been identified. The purpose of this work was to investigate the transfection efficiency behavior of multicomponent lipoplexes in the regime of optimal membrane charge density (1< sigma M < 2 x 10 (-2) e/A (2)) and compare their performance with that of binary lipoplexes usually employed for gene delivery purposes. We found remarkable differences in transfection efficiency due to lipid composition, with maximum in efficiency being obtained when multicomponent lipoplexes were used to transfect NIH 3T3 cells, while binary lipoplexes were definitely less efficient. These findings suggested that multicomponent systems are especially promising lipoplex candidates. With the aim of providing new insights into the mechanism of transfection, we investigated the structural evolution of lipoplexes when interacting with anionic (cellular) lipids by means of synchrotron small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXD), while the extent of DNA release upon interaction with anionic lipids was measured by electrophoresis on agarose gels. Interestingly, a clear trend was found that the transfection activity increased with the number of lipid components. These results highlight the compositional properties of carrier lipid/cellular lipid mixtures as decisive factors for transfection and suggest a strategy for the rational design of superior cationic lipid carriers.     

Complexation of polycations to anionic liposomes: composition and structure of the interfacial complexes

Poly(N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide) (a polycation with a degree of polymerization of 1100) was adsorbed onto liposomes composed of egg lecithin with a 0.05-0.20 molar fraction (nu) of anionic headgroups provided by cardiolipin (a doubly anionic lipid). According to electrophoretic mobility data, this led to total charge neutralization of the liposomes, whereupon the liposomes adopted a positive charge as additional polymer continued to adsorb. Although the liposomes aggregated at the charge-neutralization point, they disassembled into individual liposomes after becoming positively charged. The degree of polymer adsorption was shown to reach a limit. Thus, by measuring the free polymer content in a liposome suspension, it was possible to determine the polymer concentration at which the liposome surface became saturated with polymer. Beyond this point, an electrostatic/steric barrier at the surface suppressed further adsorption. Dynamic light scattering studies of liposomes with and without adsorbed polymer allowed calculation of the polymer film thickness which ranged from 22 to 35 nm as the molar fraction of cardiolipin (nu) increased from 0.05 to 0.20. The greater the content on the anionic lipid in the bilayer, the thicker the polymer film. The maximum number of polymer molecules adsorbed onto the liposomes was estimated: 1-2 molecules for nu = 0.05; 3 molecules for nu = 0.1; 4- molecules for nu = 0.15; and 6 molecules for nu = 0.2. The polymer appears to lie on the liposome surface, rather than embedding into the bilayer, because addition of NaCl easily dislodges the polymer from the liposome into the bulk water.     

Miscibility of an acylated hepatitis A synthetic antigen derivative [palmitoyl VP3(110-121)] with lipids: a monolayer study

Mixed monolayers of an acylated derivative of hepatitis A synthetic peptide VP3(110-121) with neutral, cationic or anionic lipids were spread at the air/water interface. Deviations from ideality as well as thermodynamic values were calculated at different surface pressures using the free-excess energy, the interaction parameter and the enthalpy. The miscibility at the collapse point was also checked. Maximum deviations from ideality were found for mixtures containing the anionic lipid phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and it seems that the monolayer composition is not stable through compression, as the peptide is ejected from the film. Films containing neutral [dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC)] or cationic [stearylamine (SA)] lipids showed more regular behaviour. As the peptide has a net negative charge it is probable that electrostatic interactions are in part responsible of the good miscibility of palmitoyl VP3(110-121) with SA. In order to prepare liposomes containing palmitoyl VP3(110–121), lipids such as SA or DPPC/SA will be a more suitable choice than anionic lipids such as PG. Received: 26 May 2000 Accepted: 22 September 2000     

Complexes of a cationic polymer with oxidized anionic liposomes: Composition,structure, and properties

Formation of complexes obtained by the adsorption of a cationic polymer, poly(N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridium bromide), with a degree of polymerization of 600 on the surface of 50-nm bilayer vesicles (liposomes) formed from neutral phosphatidyl choline, anionic diphosphatidyl glycerol (cardiolipin), and a surfactant with one alkyl radical, such as electroneutral n-hexadecylphosphocholine, palmitic acid, or heptanoic acid, is studied. The incorporation of these surfactants into the liposomal membrane stimulates the appearance of oxidized forms of lipids in it. The incorporation of n-hexadecylphosphocholine into the membrane of n-hexadecylphosphocholine and palmitic acid with the alkyl radical, whose length is comparable with the length of alkyl radicals in a lipid molecule, has no effect on the permeability of the membrane. However, these liposomes lose integrity upon the adsorption of polycation; as a result, complexation becomes irreversible. Electroneutral and anionic surfactants with long hydrocarbon chains may accumulate in a cellular membrane owing to the oxidative degradation of unsaturated radicals in lipid molecules. This finding may be used in the design of polymeric therapeutic means specifically interacting with damaged cells.     

The Influence of the Chain Length of Polycations on their Complexation with Anionic Liposomes

A series of strong polycations is synthesized through the anionic polymerization of 2‐vinylpyridine, followed by subsequent quaternization of the resulting polymer. Polycations based on quaternized 2‐vinylpyridine (PVPQs) with degrees of polymerization (DP) from 20 to 440 are adsorbed on the surface of small anionic liposomes. Liposome/PVPQ complexes are characterized by using a number of physicochemical methods. All PVPQs are totally adsorbed onto the liposome surface up to a certain concentration at which saturation is reached (which is specific for each PVPQ). The integrity of the adsorbed liposomes remains intact. Short PVPQs interact with anionic lipids localized on the outer membrane leaflet, whereas long PVPQs extract anionic lipids from the inner to outer leaflet. Complexes tend to aggregate, and the largest aggregates are formed when the initial charge of the liposomes is fully neutralized by the charge of the PVPQ. PVPQs with intermediate DPs demonstrate behavioral features of both short and long PVPQs. These results are important for the interpretation of the biological effects of cationic polymers and the selection of cationic polymers for biomedical applications.     

Migration of a cationic polymer between lipid vesicles

The adsorption of a synthetic polycation, poly(N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide) (PEVP), on the surface of bilayer lipid vesicles (liposomes) and the migration of adsorbed macromolecules between the liposomes are studied. Liposomes of three types are used, including (1) traditional two-component liposomes composed of neutral phosphatidylcholine (PC) and anionic cardiolipin (CL); (2) three-component liposomes consisting of PC, CL, and cationic dicetyldimethylammonium bromide (DCMAB); and (3) anionic PC/CL liposomes with a nonionic surfactant, poly(ethylene oxide)-cetyl alcohol ether (Briij 58), incorporated into their bilayers. The adsorption of PEVP on the surface of PC/CL liposomes is accompanied by their aggregation. Using the fluorescence method, it is shown that the units (segments) of the polycation undergo partial redistribution between the liposomes inside the aggregates formed from PC/CL liposomes (with and without a fluorescent label) and PEVP. On the contrary, three-component PC/CL/DCMAB and PC/CL/Briij liposomes are not aggregated, even with the complete neutralization of their charges by adsorbed PEVP. In both cases, the migration of PEVP molecules between individual (nonaggregated) liposomes is observed. Possible reasons for the aggregative stability of the three-component PC/CL/DCMAB and PC/CL/Briij liposomes and the mechanism of interliposome migration of PEVP in such systems are discussed.     

Complexes of nucleolipid liposomes with single-stranded and double-stranded nucleic acids

We report on the association of anionic liposomes from POP-Ade:POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidyladenosine and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine, respectively) with single- and double-strand nucleic acids, mediated by Ca(2+) bridging. The structural and dynamical features of such complexes are compared with those displayed when the nucleolipid is replaced by POPG (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-phosphatidyl-glycerol), characterized by the same apolar skeleton and negative charge as POP-Ade, but lacking the nucleic polar head. For single-stranded nucleic acids, we demonstrate that specific interactions drive the formation of complexes with nucleolipid liposomes, while no association is present for POPG-based samples. For double-stranded nucleic acids, Ca(2+) bridging promotes association with both liposomal formulations, but the corresponding complexes have different structural features, in terms of size, overall charge and internal liquid-crystalline structure.