Serine-based gemini surfactants with different spacer linkages: from self-assembly to DNA compaction

Understanding how the structures of surfactants in hybrid nanoparticles affect the compaction of ct-DNA for cellular uptake: presenting a highly efficient surfactant

Compaction of calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) by two single-head-double-tailed surfactants with variable tail lengths i.e., Dihexadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB16) and Dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB18), and one triple-head-double-tailed surfactant N1-dodecyl-N2-(2-(dodecyldimethylammonio)ethyl)-N1,N1,N2,N2-tetramethylethane-1,2-diaminium (MQAS12) has been studied. DDAB18 is found to be the most efficient, while MQAS12 is the least efficient for cellular uptake. Hybrid materials of surfactants and silica nanoparticles have better compaction efficiency due to the cooperative binding. Silica nanoparticles (∼100 nm)-DDAB18 hybrid materials can compact ct-DNA at a much lower concentration than a conventional surfactant, addressing the cytotoxicity issues. Hybrid materials formed with smaller silica nanoparticles (∼40 nm) have also been studied. The results obtained have been used to understand whether Coulombic and/or hydrophobic interactions are responsible for DNA compaction. The hydrophobicity per unit surface area (P) of hybrid nanoparticles has a significant role in DNA compaction. The P largely depends on the surfactants' structures and nanoparticles' sizes. Single-head-double-tailed surfactants with a comparatively smaller headgroup exhibit a large amount of adsorption on the nanoparticles' surfaces, producing a large P. DDAB18 appears to be a DNA intercalative binder. Fluorescence anisotropy decay data of 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) reveal the dynamics of ct-DNA at different stages of compaction. Cell viability of mouse mammary gland adenocarcinoma cells (4T1) and human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cell lines and in vitro cellular uptake of the gene to 4T1 cells have been investigated. This study provides ideas for designing efficient non-viral vectors. Overall, DDAB18-coated silica nanoparticles appear to be safe and effective DNA compaction agents that can carry nucleic acids for biomedical applications.

Interactions between DNA and a Pyrene-Labeled Surfactant Probed by Pyrene Excimer Formation, Transmission Electron Microscopy, and Dynamic Light Scattering

The interactions between calf thymus DNA and a pyrene-labeled gemini surfactant termed PyO-3-12 were investigated by using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and pyrene excimer formation (PEF) between an excited and a ground-state pyrene. PyO-3-12 was prepared with two dimethylammonium bromide headgroups linked with a propyl spacer, with one ammonium bearing a dodecyl tail and the other bearing a 1-pyrenemethoxyhexyl pendent. The size and electrostatic properties of the colloidal species were characterized by DLS, and TEM was used to describe the overall dimensions and morphologies of the aggregates. PEF enabled the study of PyO-3-12 at the molecular level. The association of PyO-3-12 and DNA was studied in detail for two specific PyO-3-12 concentrations of 16 and 56 μM using a (∓) ratio equal to the [DNA]/[PyO-3-12] ratio with [DNA] expressed in terms of DNA base pairs, yielding a (∓) ratio ranging from 0.1 to 10. An increase in PyO-3-12 association upon adding DNA was detected through an increase in PEF. Analysis of the fluorescence decays indicated a progressive binding of PyO-3-12 to DNA until the equicharge point was reached after which all PyO-3-12 surfactants were bound to DNA. The formation of large colloidal aggregates was observed by DLS, which showed a spike in the hydrodynamic diameter (Dh) as the (∓) ratio approached unity. Analysis of the fluorescence spectra suggested that the excited pyrenyl labels experienced a more hydrophobic environment for the lipoplexes generated by the 56 μM PyO-3-12 solutions, which appeared smaller and more globular in the TEM images than the lipoplexes obtained with the lower 16 μM PyO-3-12 concentration. Together, these experiments suggest that the concentrations of the cationic gemini surfactants and DNA are important parameters for the morphology of lipoplexes with possible implications for their transfection efficiency.

Cationic Serine-Based Gemini Surfactant:Monoolein Aggregates as Viable and Efficacious Agents for DNA Complexation and Compaction: A Cytotoxicity and Physicochemical Assessment

Cationic gemini surfactants have emerged as potential gene delivery agents as they can co-assemble with DNA due to a strong electrostatic association. Commonly, DNA complexation is enhanced by the inclusion of a helper lipid (HL), which also plays a key role in transfection efficiency. The formation of lipoplexes, used as non-viral vectors for transfection, through electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions is affected by various physicochemical parameters, such as cationic surfactant:HL molar ratio, (+/-) charge ratio, and the morphological structure of the lipoplexes. Herein, we investigated the DNA complexation ability of mixtures of serine-based gemini surfactants, (nSer)2N5, and monoolein (MO) as a helper lipid. The micelle-forming serine surfactants contain long lipophilic chains (12 to 18 C atoms) and a five CH2 spacer, both linked to the nitrogen atoms of the serine residues by amine linkages. The (nSer)2N5:MO aggregates are non-cytotoxic up to 35-90 µM, depending on surfactant and surfactant/MO mixing ratio, and in general, higher MO content and longer surfactant chain length tend to promote higher cell viability. All systems efficaciously complex DNA, but the (18Ser)2N5:MO one clearly stands as the best-performing one. Incorporating MO into the serine surfactant system affects the morphology and size distribution of the formed mixed aggregates. In the low concentration regime, gemini-MO systems aggregate in the form of vesicles, while at high concentrations the formation of a lamellar liquid crystalline phase is observed. This suggests that lipoplexes might share a similar bilayer-based structure.

Lipoplexes' Structure, Preparation, and Role in Managing Different Diseases

Lipid-based vectors are becoming promising alternatives to traditional therapies over the last 2 decades specially for managing life-threatening diseases like cancer. Cationic lipids are the most prevalent non-viral vectors utilized in gene delivery. The increasing number of clinical trials about lipoplex-based gene therapy demonstrates their potential as well-established technology that can provide robust gene transfection. In this regard, this review will summarize this important point. These vectors however have a modest transfection efficiency. This limitation can be partly addressed by using functional lipids that provide a plethora of options for investigating nucleic acid-lipid interactions as well as in vitro and in vivo nucleic acid delivery for biomedical applications. Despite their lower gene transfer efficiency, lipid-based vectors such as lipoplexes have several advantages over viral ones: they are less toxic and immunogenic, can be targeted, and are simple to produce on a large scale. Researchers are actively investigating the parameters that are essential for an effective lipoplex delivery method. These include factors that influence the structure, stability, internalization, and transfection of the lipoplex. Thorough understanding of the design principles will enable synthesis of customized lipoplex formulations for life-saving therapy.

Role of Gemini Surfactants with Variable Spacers and SiO2 Nanoparticles in ct-DNA Compaction and Applications toward In Vitro/In Vivo Gene Delivery

Compaction of calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) by two cationic gemini surfactants, 12-4-12 and 12-8-12, in the absence and presence of negatively charged SiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) (∼100 nm) has been explored using various techniques. 12-8-12 having a longer hydrophobic spacer induces a greater extent of ct-DNA compaction than 12-4-12, which becomes more efficient with SiO₂ NPs. While 50% ct-DNA compaction in the presence of SiO₂ NPs occurs at ∼77 nM of 12-8-12 and ∼130 nM of 12-4-12, but a conventional counterpart surfactant, DTAB, does it at its concentration as high as ∼7 μM. Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy measurements show changes in the rotational dynamics of a fluorescent probe, DAPI, and helix segments in the condensed DNA. Fluorescence lifetime data and ethidium bromide exclusion assays reveal the binding sites of surfactants to ct-DNA. 12-8-12 with SiO₂ NPs has shown the highest cell viability (≥90%) and least cell death in the human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cell lines in contrast to the cell viability of ≤80% for DTAB. These results show that 12-8-12 with SiO₂ NPs has the highest time and dose-dependent cytotoxicity compared to 12-8-12 and 12-4-12 in the murine breast cancer 4T1 cell line. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry are performed for in vitro cellular uptake of YOYO-1-labeled ct-DNA with surfactants and SiO₂ NPs using 4T1 cells after 3 and 6 h incubations. The in vivo tumor accumulation studies are carried out using a real-time in vivo imaging system after intravenous injection of the samples into 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. 12-8-12 with SiO₂ has delivered the highest amount of ct-DNA in cells and tumors in a time-dependent manner. Thus, the application of a gemini surfactant with a hydrophobic spacer and SiO₂ NPs in compacting and delivering ct-DNA to the tumor is proven, warranting its further exploration in nucleic acid therapy for cancer treatment.

Model Catanionic Vesicles from Biomimetic Serine-Based Surfactants: Effect of the Combination of Chain Lengths on Vesicle Properties and Vesicle-to-Micelle Transition

Mixtures of cationic and anionic surfactants often originate bilayer structures, such as vesicles and lamellar liquid crystals, that can be explored as model membranes for fundamental studies or as drug and gene nanocarriers. Here, we investigated the aggregation properties of two catanionic mixtures containing biomimetic surfactants derived from serine. The mixtures are designated as 12Ser/8-8Ser and 14Ser/10-10Ser, where mSer is a cationic, single-chained surfactant and n-nSer is an anionic, double-chained one (m and n being the C atoms in the alkyl chains). Our goal was to investigate the effects of total chain length and chain length asymmetry of the catanionic pair on the formation of catanionic vesicles, the vesicle properties and the vesicle/micelle transitions. Ocular observations, surface tension measurements, video-enhanced light microscopy, cryogenic scanning electron microscopy, dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering were used to monitor the self-assembly process and the aggregate properties. Catanionic vesicles were indeed found in both systems for molar fractions of cationic surfactant ≥0.40, always possessing positive zeta potentials (ζ = +35-50 mV), even for equimolar sample compositions. Furthermore, the 14Ser/10-10Ser vesicles were only found as single aggregates (i.e., without coexisting micelles) in a very narrow compositional range and as a bimodal population (average diameters of 80 and 300 nm). In contrast, the 12Ser/8-8Ser vesicles were found for a wider sample compositional range and as unimodal or bimodal populations, depending on the mixing ratio. The aggregate size, pH and zeta potential of the mixtures were further investigated. The unimodal 12Ser/8-8Ser vesicles (<D_H> ≈ 250 nm, pH ≈ 7-8, ζ ≈ +32 mV and a cationic/anionic molar ratio of ≈2:1) are particularly promising for application as drug/gene nanocarriers. Both chain length asymmetry and total length play a key role in the aggregation features of the two systems. Molecular insights are provided by the main findings.

Serine-based surfactants as effective antimicrobial agents against multiresistant bacteria

The antimicrobial activity of two serine derived gemini cationic surfactants, amide (12Ser)2CON12 and ester (12Ser)2COO12, was tested using sensitive, E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 6538, and resistant, E. coli CTX M2, E. coli TEM CTX M9 and S. aureus ATCC 6538 and S. aureus MRSA ATCC 43300 Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains. Very low MIC values (5 μM) were found for the two resistant strains E.coli TEM CTX M9 and S. aureus MRSA ATCC 43300, in the case of the amide derivative, and for S. aureus MRSA ATCC 43300, in the case of the ester derivative. The interaction of the serine amphiphiles with lipid-model membranes (DPPG and DPPC) was investigated using Langmuir monolayers. A more pronounced effect on the DPPG than on the DPPC monolayer was observed. The effect induced by the surfactants on bacteria membrane was explored by Atomic Force Microscopy. A clear disruption of the bacteria membrane was observed for E. coli TEM CTX M9 upon treatment with (12ser)2CON12, whereas for the S. aureus MRSA few observable changes in cell morphology were found after treatment with either of the two surfactants. The cytotoxicity of the two compounds was assessed by hemolysis assay on human red blood cells (RBC). The compounds were shown to be non-cytotoxic up to 10 μM. Overall, the results reveal a promising potential, in particular of the amide derivative, as antimicrobial agent for two strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Interaction of calf thymus DNA and glucose-based gemini cationic surfactants with different spacer length: A spectroscopy and DLS study

The interactions between calf thymus DNA and a series of glucose-based cationic gemini surfactants 1a-1c with different spacer length, n = 4, 6 and 8, were studied by UV absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism, FT-IR, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements. The results showed that all the surfactants could interact with DNA efficiently. On addition of increasing concentration of the surfactants, UV absorption hypochromicity with insignificant blue shift were observed, until the DNA signal disappeared. The surfactant 1c was more efficient in the reduction of absorption intensity of DNA. According to the fluorescence quenching experiments by ethidium bromide exclusion, 1c exhibited the highest binding properties, with the binding constant at 3.25 × 10⁸ L·mol^-1. The spectroscopy study indicated that the surfactants bound with the DNA by a non-intercalative mode, mainly electrostatic interaction between the positively charged headgroups of the surfactants and negatively charged phosphate groups of DNA at low concentration, and the hydrophobic interaction among the alkyl chains at high concentration. The conformation of DNA during the interaction process could be kept B-form of DNA. For 1c, the DNA molecules can be compacted to about 103 nm in hydrodynamic diameter at 0.2 mM, while the minimum sizes of DNA were 140 nm and 133 nm, respectively, in the presence of 1a and 1b. The impact of the cationic gemini surfactants on the DNA compaction and condensation would shed light on their potential applications in gene delivery.

A Systematic Approach: Molecular Dynamics Study and Parametrisation of Gemini Type Cationic Surfactants

The spreading of antibiotic-resistant bacteria strains is one of the most serious problem in medicine to struggle nowadays. This triggered the development of alternative antimicrobial agents in recent years. One of such group is Gemini surfactants which are massively synthesised in various structural configurations to obtain the most effective antibacterial properties. Unfortunately, the comparison of antimicrobial effectiveness among different types of Gemini agents is unfeasible since various protocols for the determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration are used. In this work, we proposed alternative, computational, approach for such comparison. We designed a comprehensive database of 250 Gemini surfactants. Description of structure parameters, for instance spacer type and length, are included in the database. We parametrised modelled molecules to obtain force fields for the entire Gemini database. This was used to conduct in silico studies using the molecular dynamics to investigate the incorporation of these agents into model E. coli inner membrane system. We evaluated the effect of Gemini surfactants on structural, stress and mechanical parameters of the membrane after the agent incorporation. This enabled us to select four most likely membrane properties that could correspond to Gemini’s antimicrobial effect. Based on our results we selected several types of Gemini spacers which could demonstrate a particularly strong effect on the bacterial membranes.

Formation of catanionic vesicles by threonine-derived surfactants and gemini surfactants based on conventional or serine-derived headgroups: designing versatile and cytocompatible nanocarriers

In this work, we explore the ability of newly synthesized threonine-derived surfactants to form robust, versatile and cytocompatible catanionic vesicles when mixed with gemini surfactants, as potential effective nanocarriers for biomolecules. The threonine surfactants consist of single-tailed amphiphiles with carboxylate headgroups and varying alkyl tail length, CnThr, where n is the (even) number of tail C atoms, varying from 8 to 16. After an initial characterization of the micellization behavior of the neat CnThr surfactants (at pH = 7 and 12), the dodecyl derivative, C12Thr, was selected as the optimal surfactant to investigate regions of formation of spontaneous catanionic vesicles. Phase behavior studies and microstructural characterization of mixtures involving both conventional bis-quat n-s-n gemini (where n and s are the tail and spacer number of C atoms) and biocompatible serine-derived gemini surfactants were carried out. Light and electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements show spontaneous vesicles indeed form and exhibit versatile features in terms of average size, morphology, polydispersity, surface charge and pH. The toxicological profile of the neat surfactants and C12Thr/gemini vesicles based on MTT assays with a L929 cell line was also evaluated, showing good levels of in vitro cytocompatibility. Overall, the assortment of developed catanionic vesicles offers very attractive physicochemical and biological features to be explored for delivery purposes.

Cationic Single-Chained Surfactants with a Functional Group at the End of the Hydrophobic Tail DNA Compacting Efficiency

The interaction between calf-thymus DNA, ctDNA, and various single-chained surfactants with different functional groups at the end of hydrophobic tail was studied with the goal of investigating the influence of the functional group nature on surfactant DNA compacting efficiency. The surfactants investigated were dodecyltriethylammonium bromide (DTEABr), triethyl(1-phenoxydodecyl)ammonium bromide (12PhBr), triethyl(2-naphthoxydodecyl)ammonium bromide (12NBr) and 11-(isonicotinoyloxy)-N,N,N-triethyl-1-undecanaminium bromide (11PyBr). Results made evident that the surfactants' tendencies to self-aggregation is the key factor determining their efficiency to compact the nucleic acid. Subsequently, DOPE/12NBr/pEGFP-C1 lipoplexes, with different cationic surfactant molar fractions (α) and mass ratios (L/D), were prepared and characterized. DOPE is a zwitterionic phospholipid 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, and the plasmid pEGFP-C1 carries a GFP coding sequence with the necessary regulatory elements for constitutive expression of the gene in human cells. 12NBr was chosen because it was the most efficient DNA compacting agent among the surfactants investigated. Finally, the cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency (TE) of DOPE/12NBr/pDNA lipoplexes, with different compositions, were investigated.

Effective cytocompatible nanovectors based on serine-derived gemini surfactants and monoolein for small interfering RNA delivery

Non-viral gene therapy based on gene silencing with small interfering RNA (siRNA) has attracted great interest over recent years. Among various types of cationic complexation agents, amino acid-based surfactants have been recently explored for nucleic acid delivery due to their low toxicity and high biocompatibility. Monoolein (MO), in turn, has been used as helper lipid in liposomal systems due to its ability to form inverted nonbilayer structures that enhance fusogenicity, thus contributing to higher transfection efficiency. In this work, we focused on the development of nanovectors for siRNA delivery based on three gemini amino acid-based surfactants derived from serine - (12Ser)₂N12, amine derivative; (12Ser)₂COO12, ester derivative; and (12Ser)₂CON12, amide derivative - individually combined with MO as helper lipid. The inclusion of MO in the cationic surfactant system influences the morphology and size of the mixed aggregates. Furthermore, the gemini surfactant:MO systems showed the ability to efficiently complex siRNA, forming stable lipoplexes, in some cases clearly depending on the MO content, without inducing significant levels of cytotoxicity. High levels of gene silencing were achieved in comparison with a commercially available standard indicating that these gemini:MO systems are promising candidates as lipofection vectors for RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapies.

Cationic lipids for gene delivery: many players, one goal

Lipid-based carriers represent the most widely used alternative to viral vectors for gene expression and gene silencing purposes. This class of non-viral vectors is particularly attractive for their ease of synthesis and chemical modifications to endow them with desirable properties. Despite combinatorial approaches have led to the generation of a large number of cationic lipids displaying different supramolecular structures and improved behavior, additional effort is needed towards the development of more and more effective cationic lipids for transfection purposes. With this review, we seek to highlight the great progress made in the design of each and every constituent domain of cationic lipids, that is, the chemical structure of the headgroup, linker and hydrophobic moieties, and on the specific effect on the assembly with nucleic acids. Since the complexity of such systems is known to affect their performances, the role of formulation, stability and phase behavior on the transfection efficiency of such assemblies will be thoroughly discussed. Our objective is to provide a conceptual framework for the development of ever more performing lipid gene delivery vectors.

Stimuli-Sensitive Self-Assembled Tubules Based on Lysine-Derived Surfactants for Delivery of Antimicrobial Proteins

Drug delivery vectors based on amphiphiles have important features such as versatile physicochemical properties and stimuli-responsiveness. Amino acid-based surfactants are especially promising amphiphiles due to their enhanced biocompatibility compared to conventional surfactants. They can self-organize into micelles, vesicles and complex hierarchical structures, such as fibers, twisted and coiled ribbons, and tubules. In this work, we investigated the self-assembly and drug loading properties of a family of novel anionic double-tailed lysine-derived surfactants, with variable degree of tail length mismatch, designated as mLys10 and 10Lysn, where m and n are the number of carbon atoms in the tails. These surfactants form tubular aggregates with assorted morphologies in water that undergo gelation due to dense entanglement, as evidenced by light and electron microscopy. Lysozyme (LZM), an enzyme with antimicrobial properties, was selected as model protein for loading. After the characterization of the interfacial properties and phase behavior of the amphiphiles, the LZM-loading ability of the tubules was investigated, under varying experimental conditions, to assess the efficiency of the aggregates as pH- and temperature-sensitive nanocarriers. Further, the toxicological profile of the surfactants per se and surfactant/LZM hydrogels was obtained, using human skin fibroblasts (BJ-5ta cell line). Overall, the results show that the tubule-based hydrogels exhibit very interesting properties for the transport and controlled release of molecules of therapeutic interest.

Influence of the degree of oligomerization of surfactants on the DNA/surfactant interaction

The interaction between calf thymus DNA, ctDNA, and a series of oligomeric surfactants derived from N-benzyl-N,N-dimethyl-N-(1-dodecyl)ammonium chloride is investigated. The influence of the surfactants' degree of oligomerization (2, 3 and 4) on the ctDNA/surfactant interaction is studied, as well as the effect of the structure of the spacer group linking the individual surfactant fragments. In particular, the effect of the distance between the positive charges and the hydrophobic chains within the oligomers on these interactions was examined, by using the three positional isomers (i.e., ortho-, meta-, and para-) with the rigid xylidene moiety as spacer. Results show that the dimeric ("gemini") surfactants are much more efficient in the inversion of the nucleic acid charge than the single-chained (monomeric) surfactant. Whereas the ortho - isomer causes a partial condensation, the meta - and para - isomers can completely condense ctDNA. The meta - and para - isomers of the trimeric surfactants can also completely condense the polynucleotide. In contrast, the tetrameric surfactant investigated does not change the morphology of the nucleic acid from an elongated coil into a compacted form, in spite of effectively inverting the nucleic acid's charge in their complex. Accordingly, the capacity for ctDNA compaction of oligomeric surfactants is not simply correlated to their degree of oligomerization, but depends on a complex balance of the number and relative distance of cationic charges and/or hydrophobic tails in the surfactants for effectively interacting with the nucleic acid to form the appropriate complex. This information will help to design more effective cationic surfactants as non-viral vectors for gene therapy.

Magnetic Gemini Surfactants

A homologous series of Gemini surfactants, dimethylene-1,2-bis(alkyldimethyl-ammonium bromide) (referred to as n-2-n·2Br, n = 14, 16, and 18) and Fe- or lanthanide metal-based magnetic Gemini surfactants (abbreviated as n-2-n·2X, X = Fe, Ce, and Gd), were first synthesized. Measurements of surface tension and electrical conductivity determine the physical quantities related to the surface activities of n-2-n·2Br and n-2-n·2X, and the magnetic behaviors of n-2-n·2X are elucidated by superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry have been used to investigate thermotropic liquid crystalline properties of all aforementioned surfactants, and the liquid crystal textures were further observed via polarizing optical microscopy. These results reveal that for magneto-responsive Gemini surfactants, both magnetic counterions and alkyl chain lengths have certain effect on surface activities, magnetism, and thermotropic phase behavior. We summed up these changes and discussed the causes, which could provide a new insight into controlling the properties of magnetic surfactants.

Surface charge tunable catanionic vesicles based on serine-derived surfactants as efficient nanocarriers for the delivery of the anticancer drug doxorubicin

Self-assembled vesicles composed of amino acid-based cationic/anionic surfactant mixtures show promise as novel effective drug nanocarriers. Here, we report the in vitro performance of vesicles based on cationic (16Ser) and anionic (8-8Ser) serine-based surfactants using a cancer cell model for the delivery of the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). This catanionic mixture yields both negatively (0.20 in the cationic surfactant molar fraction, x16Ser) and positively (x16Ser = 0.58) charged vesicles, hence providing a surface charge tunable system. Low toxicity is confirmed for concentration ranges below 32 μM in both formulations. DOX is successfully encapsulated in the vesicles, resulting in a surface charge switch to negative for the (0.58) system, making both (0.20) and (0.58) DOX-loaded vesicles highly interesting for systemic administration. High uptake by cells was demonstrated using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Drug accumulation results in an increase of cell uptake up to 250% and 200% for the (0.20) and (0.58) vesicles, respectively, compared to free DOX and with localizations near the nuclear regions in the cells. The in vitro cytotoxicity studies show that DOX-loaded vesicles induce cell death, confirming the therapeutic potential of the formulations. Furthermore, the efficient accumulation of the drug inside the cell compartments harbors the potential for optimization strategies including phased delivery for prolonged treatment periods or even on-demand release.

Transfection efficiencies of α-tocopherylated cationic gemini lipids with hydroxyethyl bearing headgroups under high serum conditions

Liposomal gene transfection under high serum conditions.

Recent progress in gene therapy to deliver nucleic acids with multivalent cationic vectors

Due to the potential use as transfecting agents of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA), multivalent cationic non-viral vectors have received special attention in the last decade. Much effort has been addressed to synthesize more efficient and biocompatible gene vectors able to transport nucleic acids into the cells without provoking an immune response. Among them, the mostly explored to compact and transfect nucleic acids are: (a) gemini and multivalent cationic lipids, mixed with a helper lipid, by forming lipoplexes; and (b) cationic polymers, polycations, and polyrotaxanes, by forming polyplexes. This review is focused on the progress and recent advances experimented in this area, mainly during the present decade, devoting special attention to the lipoplexes and polyplexes, as follows: (a) to its biophysical characterization (mainly electrostatics, structure, size and morphology) using a wide variety of experimental methods; and (b) to its biological activity (transfection efficacy and cytotoxicity) addressed to confirm the optimum formulations and viability of these complexes as very promising gene vectors of nucleic acids in nanomedicine.

Dicationic Surfactants with Glycine Counter Ions for Oligonucleotide Transportation

Gemini surfactants are good candidates to bind, protect, and deliver nucleic acids. Herein, the concept of amino acids (namely glycine) as counter ions of gemini surfactants for gene therapy application was explored. This study was conducted on DNA and RNA oligomers and two quaternary bis-imidazolium salts, having 2,5-dioxahexane and 2,8-dioxanonane spacer groups. The toxicity level of surfactants was assessed by an MTT assay, and their ability to bind nucleic acids was tested through electrophoresis. The nucleic acid conformation was established based on circular dichroism and infrared spectroscopic analyses. The structures of the formed complexes were characterized by small-angle scattering of synchrotron radiation. Both studied surfactants appear to be suitable for gene therapy; however, although they vary by only three methylene groups in the spacer, they differ in binding ability and toxicity. The tested oligonucleotides maintained their native conformations upon surfactant addition and the studied lipoplexes formed a variety of structures. In systems based on a 2,5-dioxahexane spacer, a hexagonal phase was observed for DNA-surfactant complexes and a micellar phase was dominant with RNA. For the surfactant with a 2,8-dioxanonane spacer group, the primitive cubic phase prevailed.

Binding of 12-s-12 dimeric surfactants to calf thymus DNA: Evaluation of the spacer length influence

Several cationic dimeric surfactants have shown high affinity towards DNA. Bis-quaternary ammonium salts (m-s-m) have been the most common type of dimeric surfactants investigated and it is generally admitted that those that posses a short spacer (s≤3) show better efficiency to bind or compact DNA. However, experimental results in this work show that 12-s-12 surfactants with long spacers make the surfactant/ctDNA complexation more favorable than those with short spacers. A larger contribution of the hydrophobic interactions, which control the binding Gibbs energy, as well as a higher average charge of the surfactant molecules bound to the nucleic acid, which favors the electrostatic attractions, could explain the experimental observations. Dimeric surfactants with intermediate spacer length seem to be the less efficient for DNA binding.

Reversibility of the interactions between a novel surfactant derived from lysine and biomolecules

In this work the novel cationic surfactant derived from lysine (S)-5-acetamido-6-(dodecylamino)-N,N,N-trimethyl-6-oxohexan-1-ammonium chloride, LYCl, was prepared and the physicochemical characterization of its aqueous solutions was carried out. The binding of LYCl to bovine serum albumin, BSA, and to double stranded calf thymus DNA, ctDNA, was investigated using several techniques. Results show that LYCl binding to BSA is followed by a decrease in the α-helix content caused by the unfolding of the protein. LYCl association to ctDNA mainly occurs through groove binding and electrostatic interactions. These interactions cause morphological changes in the polynucleotide from an elongated coil structure to a more compact globular structure, resulting in the compaction of ctDNA. Addition of β-cyclodextrin, β-CD, to the BSA-LYCl and ctDNA-LYCl complexes is followed by the refolding of BSA and the decompaction of ctDNA. This can be explained by the ability of β-CD to hinder BSA-LYCl and ctDNA-LYCl interactions due to the stronger and more specific β-CD-LYCl hydrophobic interactions. The stoichiometry of the β-CD:LYCl inclusion complex and its formation equilibrium constant were determined in this work. The reported procedure using β-CD is an efficient way to refold proteins and to decompact DNA, after the morphological changes caused in the biomolecules by their interaction with cationic surfactants.