The transfection efficiency of cationic liposomes varies according to cell type, but the specific cellular characteristics that affect transfection efficiency have not yet been defined. We investigated whether the transfection efficiency of cationic liposomes correlates with cell proliferation activity or cell membrane potential in oral malignant melanoma (HMG) and oral osteosarcoma cell lines (HOSM-1 and HOSM-2). The cell membrane potential was assessed by uptake of a cationic probe. Three oral tumor cell lines were exposed to a cationic liposome complexed with a β-galactosidase expression plasmid, and β-galactosidase expression was compared. Cell proliferation was about 2-fold higher in HOSM-1 cells than in HMG cells. The cell membrane potential in HMG and HOSM-1 cells was comparable, while the membrane potential in HOSM-2 cells was 1.6-fold higher. β-galactosidase expression was measured by X-Gal staining in 7.0% of HMG, 17.0% of HOSM-1 and 11.5% of HOSM-2 cells. The present study demonstrates that gene therapy with cationic liposomes may be a promising new strategy for treatment of oral malignant melanoma and osteosarcoma. In addition, the transfection efficiency of cationic liposomes appears to be influenced by cell proliferation activity, but not cell membrane potential.

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