Attenuation of the Acute-Phase Response in Thermally Injured Rats by Cholesterol-Containing Cationic Liposomes Used as a Delivery System for Gene Therapy

Abstract

GENE THERAPY is a promising approach for the treatment of various clinical disorders. The success of this approach depends on the selection of appropriate vectors for gene delivery.^1,2 Viruses have been used as delivery vectors because of their specificity and tissue penetration via consecutive cell transfection.^1,2 The disadvantages of viral vectors, such as viral infection–associated toxic effects, immunological compromise, and mutagenic or carcinogenic effects, restrict its potential use in humans.¹ Recent modifications to incorporate cholesterol into cationic liposomes have increased their efficiency of transfection to levels previously achieved only with adenoviral constructs.^3-5 Thus, liposomes have now become an efficient delivery system for gene therapy in the fields of oncology, neurology, and cardiology.^1-6 The use of liposomal gene complexes in trauma is a new approach to improve clinical outcome and mortality. The suitability of liposomes as a delivery system for gene therapy in trauma has not been defined. We attempted to determine the suitability of liposomes as a delivery system for gene therapy by measuring the effects of liposomes on the hepatic acute-phase response and cytokine concentrations.