PEGylated cationic liposome - DNA nanoparticle assembly in cell culture media: pathway effects and clues to enhanced control and transfection efficiency optimization

Abstract

Cationic Liposome – DNA nanoparticles constitute a promising approach for safe and efficient delivery of genes for therapeutic applications. In order to be used in vivo, these particles can be coated with an inert and hydrophilic polymer, such as polyethylene-glycol (PEG), which improves blood circulation time by providing steric stabilization against removal by the immune system. In this work we study the influence of the initial salt concentration, which controls the electrostatic atraction between cationic liposomes and anionic DNA, on the structure of PEGylated CL–DNA nanoparticles.