Liposomes in Gene Delivery

Many specialists are not familiar with both drug delivery and the molecular biology of DNA vectors. Liposomes in Gene Delivery covers both-molecular biologists will gain a basic knowledge of lipids, liposomes, and other gene delivery vehicles; lipid and drug delivery scientists will better understand DNA, molecular biology, and DNA manipulation. Topics include an introduction to nucleic acids, a theoretical description of DNA, recombinant technology, lipids and liposomes, stability and interaction properties of lipids and liposomes, complexation of lipids and liposomes with DNA plasmids, gene expression of genosomes in various models, structure-activity relationships, and transfection models. This is an excellent introductory text for graduate students, scientists, and researchers in molecular and cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, physical chemistry, colloid science, pharmacology, molecular science, and medicine.

1. Introduction -- Additional Reading -- 2. Gene Therapy -- Strategies in Gene Delivery -- Disease Applications of Gene Therapy -- Genetic Diseases -- Cancer -- Infectious Diseases -- Neurological Diseases -- Cardiovascular Diseases -- Other Diseases -- Summary -- Additional Reading -- 3. Nucleic Acids -- DNA Structure and Conformation -- DNA Stability and Interactions -- Theoretical Description of DNA -- Statistical Thermodynamic Models -- and Molecular Dynamics -- Polyelectrolyte Models -- DNA Condensation -- Recombinant DNA Technology -- DNA Plasmid Preparation and Purification -- Genetic Engineering -- Production of Materials and Goods -- Transgenic Animals -- Summary -- Additional Reading -- 4. Gene Expression -- Promoters and Enhancers -- Introns and poly A Tails -- Complementary DNA -- Cytoplasmic Gene Expression -- Reporter Genes -- Vectors -- Summary -- Additional Reading -- 5. Gene Delivery -- Naked DNA -- Viral Systems -- Nonviral Delivery Systems -- Polycations, Polypeptides, and Polymers -- Polyelectrolytes -- Cationic Liposomes and Other Colloidal Particles -- Conventional Liposomes -- Targeted Systems -- Targeted Liposomes -- Minichromosomes -- Transkaryotic Therapy -- RNA Delivery -- Summary -- Additional Reading -- 6. Liposomes -- Lipids and Liposome Composition -- Cationic Lipids -- Electrostatic Properties of Charged Lipids and Liposomes -- Cationic Liposomes -- Liposome Preparation Methods -- Hydration of Lipids -- Sonication -- Extrusion -- Homogenization -- Mechanism of Vesicle Formation -- Liposome Stability -- Colloidal Stability of Liposomes: The DLVO Theory -- Characterization and Quality Control -- Interactions of Liposomes with Cells and In Vivo -- Toxicity and Safety of Cationic Liposomes -- Liposomes and Cell Membranes -- Liposome Applications -- Drug Delivery -- Summary -- Additional Reading -- 7. Genosomes (DNA—Lipid Complexes) -- Reactivity and Stability -- Electrostatics of DNA-Liposome Interactions -- Structure of Cationic Lipid-DNA Complexes -- Characterization -- Pharmacokinetics and Biodistribution -- Toxicity -- Summary -- Additional Reading -- 8. Genosomes for Gene Delivery and Transfection -- Expression In Vitro -- Gene Transfection and Expression In Vivo -- Parenteral Applications of Genosomes -- Pulmonary Delivery -- Other Delivery Routes -- Genosome Administration into Humans -- Summary -- Additional Reading -- 9. Structure-Activity Relationships -- Structure-Activity Relationships -- Structure-Activity Relationships of -- Cationic Lipids on the Molecular Level -- Cholesteroyl-Anchored Cationic Lipids -- Diacyl Chain Cationic Lipids -- Structure-Activity Relationships on the Colloidal Level -- Summary -- Additional Reading -- 10. Mechanism of Transfection -- Transfection In Vitro -- Transfection In Vivo -- Factors and Steps That Determine Transfection -- Summary -- Additional Reading -- 11. Other Carrier Systems and Artificial Virus -- Polyelectrolytes Combination Complexes -- Polyelectrolyes -- Combination Complexes -- Summary -- Additional Reading -- 12. Liposomes in the Delivery of Antisense Oligonucleotides -- Introduction -- Antisense Oligonucleotides: -- Structure and Mechanism of Action -- Liposomes for the Delivery of Antisense Oligonucleotides -- Overview of Some of the Results -- Use of Anionic/Neutral Liposomes for Delivery -- Use of Cationic Liposomes in Oligonucleotide Delivery -- Ribozymes -- Delivery of Proteins -- Summary -- Additional Reading -- 13. Perspectives and Conclusion -- Cationic Liposomes -- Anionic Liposomes -- Sterically Stabilized Liposomes -- Summary -- Conclusion and Afterword -- Additional Reading -- References -- Appendix A: Some Fundamental Constants -- Appendix B: Periodic System of Elements -- Appendix C: A Short Tutorial on Different Units -- Appendix D: Geometric Parameters of Lipids and Nucleic Acids -- Appendix E: Abbreviations -- Appendix F: Glossary -- Index.

Lasic, Danilo D.