Introduction of missing enzymes into the cytoplasm of cultured mammalian cells by means of fusion-prone liposomes. 1976

G Weissmann, and C Cohen, and S Hoffstein

It is therefore possible to introduce enzyme-laden liposomes into two sites within the cytoplasm of cells previously lacking such enzymes. The first site is gained after enzyme-laden liposomes are phagocytosed into the lysosomal apparatus. Liposomes coated with immunoglobulins engender their own uptake by inducing the Fc receptor of phagocytic cells to launch ingestion of the vector as if it were an opsonized bacteria or virus against which the host had mounted an immune response. As for the second site, described here, involving enzyme deficiencies of the free cytosol, these may be corrected when liposomes have lysolecithin incorporated as a fusogen. The fusogen induces merger of the liposomal membrane with that of the plasma membrane presumably by virtue of the capacity of lysolecithin to engender mixed, fusion-prone micelles. Introjection of enzymes or other sequestered molecules is accomplished without access of these to external solutes, such as calcium. Consequently, uptake of enzyme cannot be due to trivial factors such as pinocytosis induced by lysolecithin or to phagocytosis per se. These two new techniques of cellular engineering now render it possible to introduce either into phagocytic or into non-phagocytic cells, enzymes or macromolecules in which these cells are genetically deficient.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008081 Liposomes Artificial, single or multilaminar vesicles (made from lecithins or other lipids) that are used for the delivery of a variety of biological molecules or molecular complexes to cells, for example, drug delivery and gene transfer. They are also used to study membranes and membrane proteins. Niosomes,Transferosomes,Ultradeformable Liposomes,Liposomes, Ultra-deformable,Liposome,Liposome, Ultra-deformable,Liposome, Ultradeformable,Liposomes, Ultra deformable,Liposomes, Ultradeformable,Niosome,Transferosome,Ultra-deformable Liposome,Ultra-deformable Liposomes,Ultradeformable Liposome
D008214 Lymphocytes White blood cells formed in the body's lymphoid tissue. The nucleus is round or ovoid with coarse, irregularly clumped chromatin while the cytoplasm is typically pale blue with azurophilic (if any) granules. Most lymphocytes can be classified as either T or B (with subpopulations of each), or NATURAL KILLER CELLS. Lymphoid Cells,Cell, Lymphoid,Cells, Lymphoid,Lymphocyte,Lymphoid Cell
D010544 Peroxidases Ovoperoxidase
D010587 Phagocytosis The engulfing and degradation of microorganisms; other cells that are dead, dying, or pathogenic; and foreign particles by phagocytic cells (PHAGOCYTES). Phagocytoses
D002459 Cell Fusion Fusion of somatic cells in vitro or in vivo, which results in somatic cell hybridization. Cell Fusions,Fusion, Cell,Fusions, Cell
D002463 Cell Membrane Permeability A quality of cell membranes which permits the passage of solvents and solutes into and out of cells. Permeability, Cell Membrane
D003593 Cytoplasm The part of a cell that contains the CYTOSOL and small structures excluding the CELL NUCLEUS; MITOCHONDRIA; and large VACUOLES. (Glick, Glossary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1990) Protoplasm,Cytoplasms,Protoplasms
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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