Electron microscopic examination of the interaction between human erythrocytes and liposomes containing DC-Cholesterol

Abstract

Human erythrocytes treated with cationic liposomes containing DOPC/DC cholesterol (2:3 mol/mol) or DOPE/DC cholesterol (2:3 mol/mol) are studied by electron microcopy. DOPE-containing liposomes exhibit a markedly greater ability to interact with the erythrocyte surface and to initiate a mosaic structure represented by smooth and rough surfaces on freeze-fractures of the erythrocyte plasma membrane. The interaction between DOPE/DC-cholesterol-containing liposomes and the plasma membrane provides the basis for using these liposomes to deliver DNA into the cell cytoplasm.