Microencapsulation of (deoxythymidine)20–DOTAP complexes in stealth liposomes optimized by Taguchi design

AbstractStealth liposomes encapsulating oligonucleotides are considered as promising non-viral gene delivery carriers; however, general preparation procedures are not capable to encapsulate nucleic acids (NAs) efficiently. In this study, the lyophobic complexes of deoxythymidine20 oligonucleotide (dT20) and DOTAP were used instead of free dT20 for nano-encapsulation process by reverse phase evaporation method. Regarding the various factors that can potentially affect the liposome characteristics, Taguchi design was applied to analyze the simultaneous effects of factors comprising PEG-lipid (%), dT20/total lipid molar ratio, cholesterol (Chol%) and organic-to-aqueous phase ratio (o/w) at three levels. The response variables, hydrodynamic diameter, loading efficiency (LE%) and capacity (LC%), were studied by dynamic light scattering and ethidium bromide exclusion assay, respectively. The optimum condition described by minimum particle size as well as high LE% and LC% was obtained at 5% PEG-lipid, dT20/total...