A Novel Disulfide-Containing Polycationic Amphiphile: 1,28-Di[(cholest-5-en-3β-yl)disulfanyl]-4,25-dioxo-3,8,12,17,21,26-hexaazaoctacosane Tetrahydrochloride

Abstract

The absence of highly effective delivery systems is a major challenge for gene therapy. Our work was aimed at the development of novel cationic liposomes possessing high transfection efficiency. For this purpose, a novel disulfide polycationic amphiphile 2S4 was synthesized. Cationic liposomes based on 2S4 and a helper lipid DOPE were formed by the thin film hydration method and exhibited effective plasmid DNA delivery into the HEK293 cells, with a transfection activity superior to that of the commercial agent Lipofectamine® 2000. Our results suggest that the polycationic amphiphile 2S4 is a promising candidate for in vitro nucleic acid delivery.

Keywords

• redox-sensitive
• disulfide linker
• gemini amphiphiles
• cationic liposomes
• gene therapy