Abstract:
A method for delivering a polypeptide to the interior of a cell of a vertebrate ex vivo is provided comprising the steps of: removing live cells from the vertebrate, contacting the cells with a preparation comprising an effective amount of polynucleotide operatively coding for the polypeptide and lipid effective to deliver the polynucleotide in the cells; and freezing or returning the cells to the vertebrate within 48 hours after the contacting step so that the cells express the polynucleotide in vivo. The method additionally can comprise substantially separating the cells from the surrounding extracellular matrix.
Abstract:
Disclosed are methods and compositions for facilitating intracellular delivery of biologically active substances of pharmaceutical agents, comprising self-assembling complexes of positively and negatively charged lipid species capable of interacting with a substance to be delivered. The assembled complexes have a net positive charge suitable for spontaneously attaching to negatively charged cell membranes, and may comprise a neutral or positively charged bioactive substance first encapsulated in or complexed with negatively charged lipid vesicles which are next complexed with cationic lipid vesicles having a net positive charge before or in the process of administration to the cell.
Abstract:
Disclosed are cationic lipids capable of facilitating transport of biologically active agents into cells, including the transfection of cells by therapeutic polynucleotides, the delivery of antiviral drugs, and the introduction of immunogenic peptides. The cationic lipids, comprising an ammonium group, have general structure (I). Also disclosed are adducts of these compounds comprising additional cationic sites that enhance the transfective or transport activity. Structure-activity correlations provide for the selection of preferred compounds to be synthesized for this purpose. Compositions disclosed for use of these cationic lipids include formulations for in vitro transfection and pharmaceutical formulations for parenteral and topical administration of therapeutic agents.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition suitable for the pulmonary administration of therapeutically effective amounts of DNase, a macromolecule operatively coding for a functional protein to remedy the cellular defect associated with cystic fibrosis and sufficient lipid to form cationic complexes with the macromolecule, effective to deliver the macromolecule into pulmonary cells in vivo. Additionally disclosed are methods for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
Abstract:
A method for delivering an isolated polynucleotide to the interior of a cell in a vertebrate, comprising the interstitial introduction of an isolated polynucleotide into a tissue of the vertebrate where the polynucleotide is taken up by the cells of the tissue and exerts a therapeutic effect on the vertebrate. The method can be used to deliver a therapeutic polypeptide to the cells of the vertebrate, to provide an immune response upon in vivo translation of the polynucleotide, to deliver antisense polynucleotides, to deliver receptors to the cells of the vertebrate, or to provide transitory gene therapy.