Enhanced laminin-derived peptide AG73-mediated liposomal gene transfer by bubble liposomes and ultrasound

Mol Pharm. 2010 Feb 1;7(1):217-26. doi: 10.1021/mp900214s.

Abstract

A promising strategy as a cancer therapeutic is tumor-targeted gene delivery. The AG73 peptide derived from the laminin alpha1 chain is a ligand for syndecans, and syndecan-2 is highly expressed in some cancer cells. In this study, AG73-PEG liposomes were developed for selective gene delivery to syndecan-2 overexpressing cancer cells. AG73-PEG liposomes were used in combination with Bubble liposomes and ultrasound exposure to enhance transfection efficiency by promoting the escape of the liposomes from the endosome to the cytosol. AG73-PEG liposomes showed selective gene delivery to syndecan-2 overexpressing cancer cells. Furthermore, AG73-mediated liposomal gene transfection efficiency was enhanced by 60-fold when Bubble liposomes and ultrasound exposure were used, despite the absence of an increase in the uptake of AG73-PEG liposomes into the cells. Confocal microscope analysis revealed that the Bubble liposomes and ultrasound promoted intracellular trafficking of the AG73-PEG liposomes during gene transfection. Thus, the combination of AG73-PEG liposomes with Bubble liposomes and ultrasound exposure may be a promising method to achieve selective and efficient gene delivery for cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Gene Transfer Techniques*
  • Genetic Therapy / methods
  • Humans
  • Laminin / administration & dosage
  • Laminin / chemistry
  • Liposomes
  • Microbubbles
  • Peptides / administration & dosage
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Plasmids / administration & dosage
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Syndecan-2 / metabolism
  • Transfection
  • Ultrasonics

Substances

  • Laminin
  • Liposomes
  • Peptides
  • Syndecan-2
  • laminin A
  • Polyethylene Glycols