Cationic liposomes induce cell necrosis through lysosomal dysfunction and late-stage autophagic flux inhibition.

Abstract

AIM:

The application of cationic liposomes (CLs) as nonviral vectors is hampered by their cellular toxicity. Thus we aim to investigate the mechanisms underlying the cellular toxicity of CLs.

MATERIALS & METHODS:

The effect of CLs on the autophagic flux, autophagosome-lysosome fusion, lysosome membrane permeabilization and cell necrosis of liver cells was investigated.

RESULTS & CONCLUSION:

Our results reveal a novel mechanism of CL-induced cell necrosis involving the induction of lysosome membrane permeabilization and late-stage autophagic flux inhibition that resulted in cytoplasmic release of cathepsin B, mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species production, which are the key mediators of cell necrosis. Our study is important for revealing the cellular toxicity of CLs and designing safer gene delivery systems.

• Authors: Kaixuan Yang, Ying Lu, Fangyuan Xie, Hao Zou, Xiaoyu Fan, Bohua Li, Wei Li, Wei Zhang, Lin Mei, Si-Shen Feng, You Yin, Yan Liu, Hai Zhang, Chuan Yin, Yanqiang Zhong, Jie Gao
• Journal: Nanomedicine (London, England) (Nanomedicine (Lond)) Vol. 11 Issue 23 Pg. 3117-3137 (12 2016) ISSN: 1748-6963 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 27819530 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cations
• Liposomes
• Reactive Oxygen Species
• Cathepsin B

Topics

• Animals
• Autophagy (drug effects, physiology)
• Cathepsin B (metabolism)
• Cations
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Drug Delivery Systems (adverse effects)
• Drug Liberation
• Genetic Therapy
• Humans
• Liposomes (chemistry, toxicity)
• Lysosomes (drug effects, physiology)
• Mice
• Mitochondria (drug effects, physiology)
• Necrosis (chemically induced)
• Permeability
• Reactive Oxygen Species (metabolism)