Transfection particles for delivery of nucleic acid into higher eucaryotic cells in vitro and in vivo comprises one or more nucleic acid molecules condensed by organic cationic molecules. The discrete and stable particles are obtained by complexing the nucleic acid molecules with identical or different organic cationic precursor molecules without crosslinking nucleic acid molecules, and covalently linking the precursor molecules to each other on the nucleic acid template. For specific cellular targeting, the particles may carry targeting molecules, e.g. sugars. Preferred cationic precursor molecules are lipophilic detergents that are linked to form lipids. The particles contain preferably only one nucleic acid molecule which makes them useful for gene therapy and for delivery of large DNA molecules.
将核酸输送颗粒用于体外和体内将核酸传递到高等真核细胞,包括由有机阳离子分子凝聚的一种或多种核酸分子。通过将核酸分子与相同或不同的有机阳离子前体分子结合而获得离散且稳定的颗粒,而无需交联核酸分子,并将前体分子共价地连接到核酸模板上的彼此。为了特定的细胞靶向,颗粒可能携带靶向分子,例如
糖类。优选的阳离子前体分子是与形成脂质的疏
水性洗涤剂相关联的。这些颗粒最好仅包含一个核酸分子,使它们适用于
基因治疗和传递大型DNA分子。