LDL induced association of anionic liposomes with cells and delivery of contents as shown by the increase in potency of liposome dependent drugs

Negatively-charged Liposome Nanoparticles Can Prevent Dyslipidemia and Atherosclerosis Progression in the Rabbit Model

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Negatively charged nanoliposomes have a strong attraction towards plasma lipoprotein particles and can thereby regulate lipid metabolism. Here, the impact of such nanoliposomes on dyslipidaemia and progression of atherosclerosis was investigated in a rabbit model.

METHODS

Two sets of negatively-charged nanoliposome formulations including [Hydrogenated Soy Phosphatidylcholine (HSPC)/1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphoglycerol (DSPG)] and [1,2- Dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (DMPC)/1,2-Dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (DMPG)/Cholesterol] were evaluated. Rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=5/group) intravenously administrated with HSPC/DSPG formulation (DSPG group; 100 mmol/kg), DMPC/DMPG formulation (DMPG group; 100 mmol/kg), or the normal saline (control group; 0.9% NaCl) over a 4-week period. The atherosclerotic lesions of the aortic arch wall were studied using haematoxylin and eosin staining.

RESULTS

Both DSPG and DMPG nanoliposome formulations showed a nano-sized range in diameter with a negatively-charged surface and a polydispersity index of <0.1. After 4 weeks administration, the nanoliposome formulations decreased triglycerides (-62±3% [DSPG group] and -58±2% [DMPG group]), total cholesterol (-58±9% [DSPG group] and -37±5% [DMPG group]), and lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (-64±6% [DSPG group] and -53±10% [DMPG group]) levels, and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (+67±28% [DSPG group] and +35±19% [DMPG group]) levels compared with the controls. The nanoliposomes showed a significant decrease in the severity of atherosclerotic lesions: mean values of the intima to media ratio in DMPG (0.96±0.1 fold) and DSPG (0.54±0.02 fold) groups were found to be significantly lower than that in the control (1.2±0.2 fold) group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Anionic nanoliposomes containing [HSPC/DSPG] and [DMPC/DMPG] correct dyslipidaemia and inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis.

Atomic Force Microscopy Study on the Stiffness of Nanosized Liposomes Containing Charged Lipids

It has recently been recognized that the mechanical properties of lipid nanoparticles play an important role during in vitro and in vivo behaviors such as cellular uptake, blood circulation, and biodistribution. However, there have been no quantitative investigations of the effect of commonly used charged lipids on the stiffness of nanosized liposomes. In this study, by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM), we quantified the stiffness of nanosized liposomes composed of neutrally charged lipids combined with positively or negatively charged lipids while simultaneously imaging the liposomes in aqueous medium. Our results showed that charged lipids, whether negatively or positively charged, have the effect of reducing the stiffness of nanosized liposomes, independently of the saturation degree of the lipid acyl chains; the measured stiffness values of liposomes containing charged lipids are 30-60% lower than those of their neutral counterpart liposomes. In addition, we demonstrated that the Laurdan generalized polarization values, which are related to the hydration degree of the liposomal membrane interface and often used as a qualitative indicator of liposomal membrane stiffness, do not directly correlate with the physical stiffness values of the liposomes prepared in this study. However, our results indicate that direct quantitative AFM measurement is a valuable method to gain molecular-scale information about how the hydration degree of liposomal interfaces reflects (or does not reflect) liposome stiffness as a macroscopic property. Our AFM method will contribute to the quantitative characterization of the nano-bio interaction of nanoparticles and to the optimization of the lipid composition of liposomes for clinical use.

Targeted Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy

Chemotherapy has been the main modality of treatment for cancer patients; however, its success rate remains low, primarily due to limited accessibility of drugs to the tumor tissue, their intolerable toxicity, development of multi-drug resistance, and the dynamic heterogeneous biology of the growing tumors. Better understanding of tumor biology in recent years and new targeted drug delivery approaches that are being explored using different nanosystems and bioconjugates provide optimism in developing successful cancer therapy. This article reviews the possibilities and challenges for targeted drug delivery in cancer therapy.

Anionic liposomes increase the efficiency of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to coxsackie-adenovirus receptor deficient cells

Despite remarkable progress in the research of both viral and nonviral gene delivery vectors, the drawbacks in each delivery system have limited their clinical applications. Therefore, one of the concepts for developing novel vectors is to overcome the limitations of individual vectors by combining them. In the current study, adenoviral vectors were formulated with anionic liposomes to protect them from neutralizing antibodies and to improve their transduction efficiency in Coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor (CAR) deficient cells. A calcium-induced phase change method was applied to encapsulate adenovirus 5 (Ad5) into anionic liposomes to formulate the complexes of Ad5 and anionic liposomes (Ad5-AL). Meanwhile, the complexes of Ad5 and cationic liposomes (Ad5-CL) were also prepared as controls. LacZ gene expression in CAR overexpressing cells (A549) and CAR deficient cells (CHO and MDCK) was measured by either qualitative or quantitative detection. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was performed to determine intracellular location of Ad5 after their infection. Human sera with a high titer of antiadenovirus antibody were used to assess the neutralizing antibody protection ability of the complexed vectors. Accompanying the enhanced gene expression, a high ability to introduce Ad5 into cytoplasm and nucleus mediated by Ad5-AL was also observed in CAR deficient cells. Additionally, antibody neutralizing assay indicated that neutralizing serum inhibited naked Ad5 and Ad5-CL at rather higher dilution than Ad5-AL, which demonstrated Ad5-AL was more capable of protecting Ad5 from neutralizing than Ad5-CL. In conclusion, anionic liposomes prepared by the calcium-induced phase change method could significantly enhance the transduction ability of Ad5 in CAR deficient cells.

Evaluation of phospholipid and liposomal S-adenosyl methionine for the treatment of liver injury in a murine model

We have used a murine model of Acetaminophen induced hepatoxicity to determine if S-adenosyl methionine 1,4 butanedisulfonate (SD4) in liposomes can prevent liver injury when administered immediately prior to acetaminophen, as judged by serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, and histological evidence of liver necrosis. No protection was observed when mice received 1 g/kg unencapsulated SD4. Partial protection was observed with 5 or 0.5 mg/kg SD4 in unextruded distearoylphosphatidylglycerol (DSPG) liposomes. Protection comparable to that seen in mice receiving encapsulated SD4 is achieved when mice received lipid alone in equivalent amounts, suggesting that the contribution of encapsulated SD4 to the efficacy of the liposomes may be minimal. Unextruded distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) liposomes show only slight effects even at 50 mg/kg SD4. This is likely caused by the size of unextruded DSPC lipsomes, because extruded DSPC liposomes, whose size is smaller, are of comparable efficacy to unextruded DSPG liposomes.

Liposome dependent delivery of S-adenosyl methionine to cells by liposomes: a potential treatment for liver disease

The present study demonstrates that the nutritional supplement S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe), the primary methyl donor in mammalian cells, is delivered selectively to cells by anionic liposomes, and is, therefore, a liposome dependent drug. Contrary to our expectations, free SAMe chloride was growth inhibitory in cultured cells. The growth inhibitory potency of SAMe chloride in anionic liposomes composed of distearoylphosphatidylglycerol/cholesterol 2:1 was fivefold greater than that of free SAMe. Neutral liposomes composed of distearoylphosphatidylcholine and cholesterol did not increase the potency of the drug. An improved anionic liposome SAMe formulation was produced by use of the 1,4-butanedisulfonate salt (SD4), adding a metal chelator (EDTA), and lowering the buffer pH from pH 7.0 to pH 4.0. This formulation was 15-fold more potent than free SD4, and was active after more than 28 days at 4 degrees C. SAMe and its potential degradation products were screened for toxicity. Formaldehyde was determined to have potency similar to that of free SAMe chloride in CV1-P cells, suggesting that the growth inhibitory effects of SAMe may partly arise from the formation of formaldehyde. The cytotoxic effects of formaldehyde and the less stable forms of SAMe, (SAMe chloride and SAMe tosylate) were decreased in the presence of 3 mM GSH (IC(50) approximately 0.44 mM). The cytotoxic effects of SD4 were not reduced by GSH, suggesting that this more stable form of SAMe is not toxic through the production of formaldehyde. SD4 in anionic DSPG liposomes stimulated murine IL-6 production in RAW 264 cells at concentrations 25- to 30-fold lower than free drug. This increase in potency for IL-6 production was in keeping with the increase in potency observed in our growth inhibition experiments. These results suggest that SD4 in liposomes may be a potential treatment for acute or chronic liver failure.

Induction of apoptosis in macrophages by air oxidation of dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol

Dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPG) containing unsaturated sites is the target of oxidation during preparation, storage, or in vivo use of anionic liposomes. We investigated the biological effect of air oxidation of DOPG on RAW 264.7 murine macrophage-like cells. Oxidation was induced by exposing DOPG to air for 24-72 h. The extent of air oxidation was confirmed using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption and Ionization with Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. The product of the air oxidation of DOPG was identified as the addition of one oxygen atom to one of the symmetrical fatty moieties of DOPG at m/z 814.77. The treatment of DOPG with air oxidation produced dose-dependent cytotoxicity in macrophages. RAW 264.7 cells exposed to oxidized DOPG exhibited morphological features of apoptosis, such as chromatin condensation and cell shrinkage. Typical apoptotic ladders were observed in DNA extracted from RAW 264.7 cells treated with oxidized DOPG. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated an increase in the hypodiploid DNA population (sub-G1), indicating that DNA cleavage occurred after treatment with oxidized DOPG. In addition, we showed that pretreating RAW 264.7 cells with zVAD-fmk, a general caspase inhibitor, did not prevent apoptosis induced by oxidized DOPG, suggesting that apoptosis in macrophage cells follows a caspase-independent pathway. These results point to a need for precaution in formulating DOPG liposomes for drug delivery and therapeutic purposes.

Potential role of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family as mediators of cellular drug uptake

We highlight the importance of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor family and its pharmaceutical implications in the field of drug delivery. The members of the LDL receptor family are a group of cell surface receptors that transport a number of macromolecules into cells through a process called receptor-mediated endocytosis. This process involves the receptor recognizing a ligand from the extracellular membrane (ECM), internalizing it through clathrin-coated pits and degrading it upon fusion with lysosomes. There are nine members of the receptor family, which include the LDL receptor, low-density lipoprotein-related protein (LRP), megalin, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) receptor, apoER2 and sorLA/LRP11, LRP1b, MEGF7, LRP5/6; the former six having been identified in humans. Each member is expressed in a number of different tissues and has a wide range of different ligands, not specific to the recognition of the LDL particle. Thus, rather than the original hypothesis that the receptor is only a mediator of cholesterol uptake, it may also be involved in a number of other physiological functions, including the progression of certain disease states and, potentially, cellular drug uptake. A number of studies have suggested that the LDL receptors are involved in endocytosis of drugs and drug formulations including aminoglycosides, anionic liposomes and cyclosporine A (CsA). This article reviews the importance of lipoproteins as a drug delivery system and how LDL receptors are relevant to the design and targeting of specific drugs.

Cell association of liposomes with high fluid anionic phospholipid content is mediated specifically by LDL and its receptor, LDLr

We have sought to confirm indications in our recent studies suggesting that association of liposomes composed of 75-100 mol % egg phosphatidylglycerol (ePG), a fluid anionic phospholipid, with cells is mediated by low density lipoprotein (LDL) and the classical LDL receptor (LDLr). In the present study, binding of liposomes composed of 75-100 mol % ePG to CV1-P cells, either in serum-supplemented medium or in defined medium supplemented with LDL, is blocked by the presence of either of two monoclonal antibodies. The first is immunoglobulin (Ig)G C7, an antibody specific for LDLr. The second is IgG 5E11, an antibody specific for domain 3441-3569 of apolipoprotein B100. CHOldlA7, a cell line known to lack the LDLr and previously shown by us to associate minimally with 75-100 mol % ePG liposomes, was transfected with the human LDLr. The transfected cells bound 75-100 mol % ePG liposomes at high levels, and this binding was blocked by IgG C7. Previously, we have shown that serum, but not LDL or high density lipoprotein, induces association of 25-50 mol % ePG liposomes with both CV1-P and CHO wild type cells, but not CHOldlA7. In the present study, IgG C7 does not block this interaction, and transfected CHOldlA7 cells do not show this interaction. Hence, this form of liposome binding appears not to involve LDL or LDLr, but requires a receptor, currently unknown, and a serum component other than LDL or high density lipoprotein. The unknown receptor, in addition to LDLr, is missing from CHOldlA7.