Targeted liposomes for delivery of protein-based drugs into the cytoplasm of tumor cells

J Liposome Res. 2002 Feb-May;12(1-2):57-65. doi: 10.1081/lpr-120004777.

Abstract

Our goal was to deliver therapeutically active macromolecules into the cytosol of target cells. First, attempts were made to prepare virosomes that specifically interact with OVCAR-3 cells (human ovarian cancer cells). Detergent solubilized influenza virus envelopes were reconstituted forming virosomes. Cell specificity was introduced by incorporating PEG-derivatized lipids with mAB 323/A3 (Fab' fragments) connected to their distal PEG end. These cell-specific, modified virosomes maintained their fusogenic activity when lowering the pH. Most importantly, antibody-mediated binding was a prerequisite for low-pH induced membrane fusion. However, basically, there are two problems with this approach: (1) these virosomes are quite leaky and (2) virosomes can be expected to be immunogenic. A solution to tackle leakage and potential immunogenicity of these site-specific liposomal structures is to use immuno-PEG-liposomes with a pH-dependent fusogen inside the liposome. The system that we designed to test this concept consisted of (1) the fusogenic di-peptide dINF-7, (2) the monoclonal antibody 425 connected to the distal end of PEG-PE (for site specific binding and endosomal uptake), (3) diphtheria toxin chain A (DTA, as carrier-dependent active compound) and phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol as 'bilayer backbone'. A series of tests were performed to show that selective binding and pH-dependent destabilization of (endosomal) membranes indeed occurred. To test the cytotoxic activity of these DTA loaded liposomes, OVCAR-3 cells were used for testing. OVCAR-3 cells express the epidermal growth factor receptor, which is the ligand for antibody 425. In vitro, these site specific and fusogenic liposomes showed a remarkable, cell specific cytotoxic effect.

MeSH terms

  • Cytoplasm / metabolism*
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Endosomes
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Lipids / chemistry
  • Liposomes / chemistry
  • Liposomes / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Orthomyxoviridae / physiology
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Protein Binding
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Lipids
  • Liposomes
  • Peptides