In vitro and in vivo characterization of CPP and transferrin modified liposomes encapsulating pDNA

The limitations imposed on brain therapy by the blood–brain barrier (BBB) have warranted the development of carriers that can overcome and deliver therapeutic agents into the brain. We strategically designed liposomal nanoparticles encasing plasmid DNA for efficient transfection and translocation across the in vitro BBB model as well as in vivo brain-targeted delivery. Liposomes were surface modified with two ligands, cell-penetrating peptide (PFVYLI or R9F2) for enhanced internalization into cells and transferrin (Tf) ligand for targeting transferrin-receptor expressed on brain capillary endothelial cells. Dual-modified liposomes encapsulating pDNA demonstrated significantly (P