1. Academic Validation
  2. A novel gene therapy for neurodegenerative Lafora disease via EPM2A-loaded DLinDMA lipoplexes

A novel gene therapy for neurodegenerative Lafora disease via EPM2A-loaded DLinDMA lipoplexes

  • Nanomedicine (Lond). 2021 Jun;16(13):1081-1095. doi: 10.2217/nnm-2020-0477.
Hari Priya Vemana 1 Aishwarya Saraswat 1 Shraddha Bhutkar 1 Ketan Patel 1 Vikas V Dukhande 1
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11439, USA.
Abstract

Aim: To develop novel cationic liposomes as a nonviral gene delivery vector for the treatment of rare diseases, such as Lafora disease - a neurodegenerative epilepsy. Materials & methods: DLinDMA and DOTAP liposomes were formulated and characterized for the delivery of gene encoding laforin and expression of functional protein in HEK293 and neuroblastoma cells. Results: Liposomes with Cationic Lipids DLinDMA and DOTAP showed good physicochemical characteristics. Nanosized DLinDMA liposomes demonstrated desired transfection efficiency, negligible hemolysis and minimal cytotoxicity. Western blotting confirmed successful expression and glucan Phosphatase assay demonstrated the biological activity of laforin. Conclusion: Our study is a novel preclinical effort in formulating cationic lipoplexes containing plasmid DNA for the therapy of rare genetic diseases such as Lafora disease.

Keywords

DLinDMA liposomes; Lafora disease; gene delivery; gene therapy; laforin; neurodegenerative disorders; rare diseases.

Figures
Products
  • Cat. No.
    Product Name
    Description
    Target
    Research Area
  • HY-112757
    98.12%, Ionizable Cationic Lipid