Optically Controlled Drug Release from Light-Sensitive Liposomes with the New Photosensitizer 5,10-DiOH

Abstract

The delivery of therapeutic drugs to a specific cellular site is a challenge in the treatment of different diseases. Liposomes have been widely studied as vehicles for drug delivery, and recent research begins to show the potential of the light-controlled opening of liposomes. Liposomes with photoactive molecules can release their cargo upon light irradiation for localized drug release. Light as an external trigger can be controlled temporally and spatially with high precision. In this study, we investigate the potential of light-sensitive liposomes with four photosensitizers and two lipid formulations for light-induced release. To investigate the permeabilization of the liposomes, calcein was encapsulated in high concentration inside the liposomes so that the calcein fluorescence is quenched. If calcein is released from the liposome, quenching is avoided, and the fluorescence increases. We demonstrated that liposomes with the sensitizers benzoporphyrine derivative monoacid (BPD), chlorine e6 (Ce6), Al­(III) phthalocyanine chloride disulfonic acid (AlPcS2), and 5,10-di-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-15,20-diphenyl-21,23H-porphyrin (5,10-DiOH) release cargo effectively after irradiation. Liposomes with 5,10-DiOH showed a quicker release compared to the other sensitizers upon irradiation at 420 nm. Further, we observed through fractionated irradiation, that most of the release took place during light application, while the permeability of the liposome decreased shortly after light exposure. This effect was stronger with liposomes containing less cholesterol.

Novel Type of Water-Soluble Photosensitizer from Trichoderma reesei for Photodynamic Inactivation of Gram-Positive Bacteria

“…Most currently available PSs for APDT have poor solubility in water, showing a strong tendency to aggregate, ultimately leading to poor PDT efficacy . To improve their hydrophilicity, a variety of modification methods were applied by physical encapsulation or chemical covalent conjugation of PSs to nanocarriers such as peptide NPs, polymer NPs, and liposomes . However, these surface modification methods are time-consuming and usually bring some unexpected consequences such as low biocompatibility, which may compromise the clinical application of APDT.…”

“…20 To improve their hydrophilicity, a variety of modification methods were applied by physical encapsulation or chemical covalent conjugation of PSs to nanocarriers such as peptide NPs, 21 polymer NPs, 22 and liposomes. 23 However, these surface modification methods are time-consuming and usually bring some unexpected consequences such as low biocompatibility, which may compromise the clinical application of APDT. Another issue that plagues APDT is the need of ultraviolet (UV) light for some PSs such as metal oxide NPs, zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs, and titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) NPs, 24 for the reason that UV light is cytotoxic to human cells and has poor penetration.…”

Nanocarriers for Biomedicine: From Lipid Formulations to Inorganic and Hybrid Nanoparticles

“…The similar approach was used in [136], where the embedment of photosensitizers BPD, AlPcS 2 , Ce6 and 5,10-DiOH into the lipid membrane of liposomes as light triggers promoted the release of the calcein upon irradiation (Figure 9). Liposomal formulations with BPD, AlPcS 2 or Ce6 released calcein from 90% to 100% after 10 min of irradiation.…”

Synthetic cells in biomedical applications

“…Sense‐and‐response functions can be facilitated directly via changes in SC membrane structure. Membranes have been composed of molecules sensitive to temperature (Jose et al, 2019; F. Liu, Kozlovskaya, et al, 2015; Needham et al, 2000; Ta et al, 2014; Tagami et al, 2011; Xi et al, 2020; Yatvin et al, 1978), light (Carter et al, 2014; Enzian et al, 2020; D. Luo et al, 2016; Miranda & Lovell, 2016; Peyret et al, 2017), magnetism (Amstad et al, 2011; Babincová et al, 2002; Geilich et al, 2017; H. Guo et al, 2015; H. Oliveira et al, 2013), acoustics (Z. Deng et al, 2016; Rwei et al, 2017; Shekhar et al, 2017), pH (Aghdam et al, 2019; De Leo et al, 2018; Naziris et al, 2017), redox states (Chi et al, 2017; Mirhadi et al, 2020; X. Yin et al, 2017), and enzymes (Haas et al, 2015; Thamphiwatana et al, 2014). By combining these materials, the membrane can sometimes be made sensitive to multiple types of stimuli (S. Feng et al, 2019; Tran et al, 2017), enabling even more precise targeting.…”