Fig. 1

Particle characteristics, stability and DNA protection property. a Transmission electron microscopy images and dynamic light scattering particle size distribution for Lp, pcDNA3.1-CSF1-mES loaded Lp (Lp/pcDNA), and pcDNA3.1-CSF1-mES loaded immunoliposomes (ILp/pcDNA). Scale bar: 100 nm (× 25,000), and 50 nm (× 60,000). b Stability and DNA protection property of ILp/pcDNA. ILp/pcDNA was incubated with DMEM, DMEM supplied with 10% FBS medium, or human serum for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 h at 37 °C. 1 μg plasmid (control) and ILp/pcDNA (corresponded to 1 μg DNA) was submitted to DNase I action (2 U DNase I per μg of DNA) for 10 min, 0.5 h or 1.0 h at 37 °C, followed by incubation with 0.5 M EDTA to stop the enzyme activation. The samples were analyzed by 1% agarose gel electrophoresis. Degraded DNA produced by DNase I digestion migrated in the bottom of gel. Encapsulated DNA remained in the well in concordance with ILp not being able to migrate through the agarose matrix. 5% Triton X-100 was used to release DNA from the ILp/pcDNA after 1 h DNase digestion (last lane)