Cationic liposomes for gene transfer
The present invention relates to synthetic cationic lipids, liposome formulations and the use of such compounds to introduce functional bioactive agents into cultured cells.
1. A method for introducing a biologically active agent into a cell of a plant or animal comprising: contacting said cell with lipid vesicles comprising a lipid having the formula:
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same and are from C 6 to C 24 alkyl or C 6 to C 24 alkenyl and containing said biologically active agent, whereby said biologically active agent is taken up into said cell.
2. A method for introducing a biologically active agent into a cell of a plant or animal comprising: contacting said cell with a biologically active agent in the presence of lipid vesicles comprising a lipid having the formula:
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same and are from C 6 to C 24 alkyl or C 6 to C 24 alkenyl, whereby said biologically active agent is taken up into said cell.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said biologically active agent is a polynucleotide.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said biologically active agent is DNA or mRNA coding for a polypeptide, and said polypeptide is expressed after said DNA or said mRNA is taken up into said cell.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said contacting step occurs in vitro.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said contacting step occurs in vivo.
7. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said biologically active agent is a polynucleotide.
8. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said biologically active agent is DNA or mRNA coding for a polypeptide, and said polypeptide is expressed after said DNA or said mRNA is taken up into said cell.
9. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said contacting step occurs in vitro.
10. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said contacting step occurs in vivo.