Highly efficient cationic liposomes have been developed as an improved
delivery system for biologically-active reagents. A novel structure, the
sandwich liposome, is formed and comprises one or more biologically
active agents internalized between two bilomellar liposomes. This
structure protects the incoming agent and accounts for the high
efficiency of in vivo delivery and for the broad tissue distribution of
the sandwich liposome complexes.These novel liposomes are also highly
efficient carriers of nucleic acids. By using extruded DOTAP:cholesterol
liposomes to form complexes with DNA encoding specific proteins,
expression has been improved dramatically. Highest expression was
achieved in the lung, while increased expression was detected in several
organs and tissues.