Recent Development of Photoresponsive Liposomes Based on Organic Photosensitizers, Au Nanoparticles, and Azobenzene Derivatives for Nanomedicine

Abstract

Photoresponsive liposomes are controlled-release liposomes modified by photoresponsive materials. They use light with high spatial and temporal precision as a means of regulation. After excitation by light at appropriate wavelengths, photoresponsive liposomes can influence the permeability of phospholipid bilayers through the photothermal or photoisomerization effect of photoresponsive materials. The photothermal effect causes the phospholipid layer to become dispersed by local heating, and the photoisomerization effect modulates the release behavior by establishing permeation channels on the phospholipid layer through changes in the dipole moments of azobenzene derivatives. Currently, photoresponsive liposomes are widely used as a cutting-edge strategy for nanomedicine. In this paper, three types of photoresponsive liposomes based on organic photosensitizers, Au nanoparticles, and azobenzene derivatives with abundant research reports were introduced based on the differences in the photoresponse principles and forms of different photoresponsive materials. This review aims to reflect the differences in the structures, properties, photoresponsive materials, and principles of action of different photoresponsive liposomes. Moreover, this work outlines the current status of their application in the field of nanomedicine.

Photo‐Lipids: Light‐Sensitive Nano‐Switches to Control Membrane Properties

“…In fact, various strategies involving light to release bioactive substances from lipid vesicles have been developed. For more details on this topic, the reader may refer to the following reviews [93–95] . Recently, Chander et al [96] .…”

“…For more details on this topic, the reader may refer to the following reviews. [93][94][95] Recently, Chander et al [96] showed that the incorporation of 10 mol % of 18 : 0-azoPC in small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs), which they called photoactivatable long-circulating lipid nanoparticles (paLNP), leads to vesicles with similar structural integrity, drug loading capacity, and size distribution as the well-established parent long-circulating lipid nanoparticles (LNP) comprising DSPC-cholesterol vesicles (Figure 6A/B). Pulsed light irradiation switched 18 : 0-azoPC from trans-to cisconfiguration, resulting in a progressive release up to 65-70 % of the encapsulated doxorubicin drug within a time window of 24 hours.…”

Molecular Machines For The Control Of Transmembrane Transport

“…Molecular machines have also been shown to control the disruption of membranes to facilitate the nonspecific release of cargo from lipid-bound compartments . Indeed, extensive research has been conducted into the development of compounds which disrupt cellular membranes for antiviral and antimicrobial activity, , as well as for targeted drug delivery. − This perspective will focus on the molecular switches and motors that exploit controlled nanomechanical motion to disrupt both cellular and model membranes.…”

Photoresponsive Azobenzene Nanocluster-Modified Liposomes: Mechanism Analysis Combining Experiments and Simulations

“…Liposomes are vesicles primarily composed of phospholipids, possessing many characteristics similar to biological membranes. , Due to their excellent loading capacity and biocompatibility, liposomes are widely used for the transport and targeted release of small molecule drugs. , Among various types of liposomes, , photoresponsive liposomes are particularly noteworthy. , They can alter the structural features of lipid membranes through photothermal effects or photoisomerization effects, , increasing the permeability of the vesicles. For instance, photoresponsive liposomes based on azobenzene compounds can achieve enhanced drug release through the photoinduced trans–cis isomerization of azobenzene compounds. , …”