Cellular uptake machinery via DOTAP liposome–cell membrane interaction (DOTAP-mediated uptake)

Cellular uptake machinery via DOTAP liposome–cell membrane interaction refers to the biological and physical processes involved in the internalization of cationic liposomes into target cells. DOTAP (N-[1-(2,3-Dioleoyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride) is a synthetic cationic lipid that forms lipoplexes with negatively charged therapeutic cargoes like nucleic acids (PubChem CID 111147). The uptake process is initiated by electrostatic attraction between the positively charged liposome and negatively charged cell surface molecules, such as heparan sulfate proteoglycans (PubMed: 15530850). Once bound, the complex is typically internalized through endocytic pathways, including clathrin-mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis, or occasionally via direct fusion with the plasma membrane (PubMed: 16154034). This machinery is a cornerstone of non-viral gene delivery systems used in cancer therapy and vaccine development. However, the process is often limited by the inherent cytotoxicity of cationic lipids and the challenge of endosomal escape (Journal of Controlled Release, 2016). Understanding these interactions is essential for optimizing transfection efficiency and minimizing the inherent cytotoxicity associated with cationic lipids.

Other names

DOTAP-mediated transfectionCationic liposome-mediated endocytosisDOTAP-cell membrane fusionLipoplex internalization

Electrostatic interaction between cationic DOTAP liposomes and anionic cell membrane components (e.g., proteoglycans), followed by endosomal uptake or direct plasma membrane fusion.