Liposome-Based Nanocapsules

Abstract

Here we present three different types of mechanically stable nanometer-sized hollow capsules. The common point of the currently developed systems in our laboratory is that they are liposome based. Biomolecules can be used to functionalize lipid vesicles to create a new type of intelligent material. For example, insertion of membrane channels into the capsule wall can modify the permeability. Covalent binding of antibodies allows targeting of the capsule to specific sites. Liposomes loaded with enzymes may provide an optimal environment for them with respect to the maximal turnover and may stabilize the enzyme. However, the main drawback of liposomes is their instability in biological media as well as their sensitivity to many external parameters such as temperature or osmotic pressure. To increase their stability we follow different strategies: 1) polymerize a two-dimensional network in the hydrophobic core of the membrane; 2) coat the liposome with a polyelectrolyte shell; or 3) add surface active polymers to form mixed vesicular structures.

Nanostructured materials for applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering

“…Cisplatin nanocapsules display an unprecedented cisplatin-to-lipid molar ratio and exhibit greatly improved cytotoxicity against tumor cells in vitro relative to free drugs [47]. Still, the use of lipids can be limited by their instability in biological media and by their sensitivity to many external parameters, including temperature and osmotic pressure [48].…”

“…Strategies include polymerizing a two-dimensional network in the membrane's hydrophobic core, adding surface-active polymers to create mixed vesicular structures and coating the liposome with a polyelectrolyte shell [48].…”

Overview of the main methods used to combine proteins with nanosystems: absorption, bioconjugation, and encapsulation

“…Theoretically, it could be possible to increase their stability following several strategies such as the polymerization of a two-dimensional network in the hydrophobic core of the membrane, coating the liposome with a polyelectrolyte shell or adding surface active polymers to form mixed vesicular structures. [136][137][138] However, poor loading and partial protein/enzyme denaturation during the entrapment process can occur.…”

New generation of electrochemical immunoassay based on polymeric nanoparticles for early detection of breast cancer

“…Several solutions were investigated to improve liposome stability. For example, the modification of the composition of the liposome lipids via the incorporation of a bio-adhesive molecule such as chitosan or cholesterol in their membrane significantly improved their stability, 16 and also, the cross linking of the hydrophobic core of the liposome membrane via polymerization, 17 or through surface-active polymer additives, 18 has shown positive effect on their stability. So far, such improvements have been revealed to be very costly and increase the complexity of the fabrication process of these liposome immunoassays which cause them to be less efficient even with enhanced sensitivity range.…”