Perifollicular transgenic expression of human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein following topical application of novel liposome-plasmid DNA formulations in vivo

Expression plasmid DNA for the human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) protein was formulated with nonionic:cationic (NC) liposomes or phosphatidylcholine:cationic (PC) liposomes and applied to the auricular skin of hamsters in single- and multiple-dose protocols. Confocal microscopy identified delivery of plasmid DNA proximal to perifollicular cells, and successful transfection of perifollicular cells was identified by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Skin treated for 3 days with the NC liposomes had statistically significant levels of transgenic IL-1ra present for 5 days post-treatment. Expression of transgenic IL-1ra was specific to areas of skin treated with NC liposomes but not PC liposomes. The results indicate that the NC liposomes can deliver expression plasmid DNA to perifollicular cells and mediate transient transfection in vivo.