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

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2024-08-13

Authors

M. Luisa C. do Vale (Author) FCUP; Eduardo F Marques (Author) FCUP; Sandra G. Silva (Author) FCUP; Isabel Oliveira (Author) FCUP; Andreia C. Gomes (Author) Other; M. Elisabete C. D. Real Oliveira (Author) Other

Journal

Title: JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL BIOMATERIALS

Vol. 15

Pages: 224-224

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-013-HQ9

DOI: 10.3390/jfb15080224

Abstract (EN): 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 mu M, 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.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13