Enhancement of Gene Transfer to Cervical Cancer Cells Using Transferrin- Conjugated Liposome

ABSTRACT

Transferrin-conjugated cationic liposome (T_f -DDAB liposome) was developed as a targeted gene delivery system by using heterobifunctional cross-linking agent, N-succimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate (SPDP), and gradient metrizamide ultracentrifugation method. Physico-chemical properties of T_f -liposome were determined by scanning/transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM) and dynamic laser-light scattering method (DLS) with a mean diameter of 584±15 nm. Gel retardation assay was performed using various DDAB:DNA ratios, and proved that the 6:1 weight ratio formulation gave the most neutralized complex. In vitro transfection was done in human cervical cancer cells, HeLa, and the transfection efficiency of T_f -liposome was found to be fivefold higher than that of unconjugated (plain) DDAB liposome and twofold higher than that of Lipofectin?. In conclusion, a target-oriented T_f -DDAB liposome was made successfully and proved to be very efficient in DNA delivery into the cervical cancer cells in culture.