Non-ligand polypeptide and liposome complexes as intracellular delivery vehicles

摘要

The present invention discloses compositions and methods of using intracellular delivery vehicles for delivery and transfection of DNA, RNA, polypeptides, genes, proteins, drugs and biologically active agents into cells in vitro and in vivo. The vehicle comprises a mixture of a liposome and a polypeptide lacking specificity for cellular receptors. In another embodiment, a method for intracellular delivery of biologically active agents comprising combining a non-receptor-binding protein and a liposome, incubating the mixture for a period of time, adding the biologically active agent, incubating again, and finally, introducing the resulting mixture to the cell. Preferably, the liposome is a cationic liposome. The charge ratio of cationic liposome to DNA can effectively be varied from 2:1 to 1:2. Preferably, the non-receptor-binding protein is the serum albumin of the animal source of the cell to be transfected. This inention is an improvement over, and offers several advantages compared to, previously disclosed cationic liposomal delivery vehicles which utilize receptor ligands.