More Like this

1. On Fusogenicity of Positively Charged Phased-Separated Lipid Vesicles: Experiments and Computational Simulations

   https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13101473  

   Wang, Yifei; Palzhanov, Yerbol; Dang, Dang T.; Quaini, Annalisa; Olshanskii, Maxim; Majd, Sheereen (October 2023, Biomolecules)

   This paper studies the fusogenicity of cationic liposomes in relation to their surface distribution of cationic lipids and utilizes membrane phase separation to control this surface distribution. It is found that concentrating the cationic lipids into small surface patches on liposomes, through phase-separation, can enhance liposome’s fusogenicity. Further concentrating these lipids into smaller patches on the surface of liposomes led to an increased level of fusogenicity. These experimental findings are supported by numerical simulations using a mathematical model for phase-separated charged liposomes. Findings of this study may be used for design and development of highly fusogenic liposomes with minimal level of toxicity. 

   more » « less
2. Biolistic delivery of liposomes protected in metal-organic frameworks

   https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2218247120  

   Kumari, Sneha; Wijesundara, Yalini H.; Howlett, Thomas S.; Waliullah, Mohammad; Herbert, Fabian C.; Raja, Arun; Trashi, Ikeda; Bernal, Rodrigo A.; Gassensmith, Jeremiah J. (March 2023, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

   Needle-and-syringe-based delivery has been the commercial standard for vaccine administration to date. With worsening medical personnel availability, increasing biohazard waste production, and the possibility of cross-contamination, we explore the possibility of biolistic delivery as an alternate skin-based delivery route. Delicate formulations like liposomes are inherently unsuitable for this delivery model as they are fragile biomaterials incapable of withstanding shear stress and are exceedingly difficult to formulate as a lyophilized powder for room temperature storage. Here we have developed a approach to deliver liposomes into the skin biolistically—by encapsulating them in a nano-sized shell made of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8). When encapsulated within a crystalline and rigid coating, the liposomes are not only protected from thermal stress, but also shear stress. This protection from stressors is crucial, especially for formulations with cargo encapsulated inside the lumen of the liposomes. Moreover, the coating provides the liposomes with a solid exterior that allows the particles to penetrate the skin effectively. In this work, we explored the mechanical protection ZIF-8 provides to liposomes as a preliminary investigation for using biolistic delivery as an alternative to syringe-and-needle–based delivery of vaccines. We demonstrated that liposomes with a variety of surface charges could be coated with ZIF-8 using the right conditions, and this coating can be just as easily removed—without causing any damage to the protected material. The protective coating prevented the liposomes from leaking cargo and helped in their effective penetration when delivered into the agarose tissue model and porcine skin tissue. 

   more » « less
3. A New Means to Generate Liposomes by Rehydrating Engineered Lipid Nanoconstructs

   https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16020138  

   Huang, Yuqi; Xu, Ziqian; Celik, Umit; Carnahan, Christopher F; Faller, Roland; Parikh, Atul N; Liu, Gang-yu (February 2025, Micromachines)

   The concept and feasibility of producing liposomes by rehydrating engineered lipid nanoconstructs are demonstrated in this study. Nanoconstructs of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) were produced using a microfluidic delivery probe integrated with an atomic force microscope. The subsequent rehydration of these POPC constructs led to the formation of liposomes, most of which remained adhered to the surface. The size (e.g., diameter) of the liposomes could be tuned by varying the lateral dimension of the lipid constructs. Hierarchical liposomal structures, such as pentagons containing five liposomes at the corners, could also be designed and produced by depositing lipid constructs to designated locations on the surfaces, followed by rehydration. This new means allows for regulating liposomal sizes, distributions, and compositions. The outcomes benefit applications of liposomes as delivery vehicles, sensors, and building blocks in biomaterials design. The ability to produce hierarchical liposomal structures benefits numerous applications such as proto-cell development, multiplexed bio-composite materials, and the engineering of local bio-environments. 

   more » « less
4. Formulation, Characterization, and In Vitro/In Vivo Efficacy Studies of a Novel Liposomal Drug Delivery System of Amphiphilic Jaspine B for Treatment of Synovial Sarcoma

   https://doi.org/10.3390/md20080509  

   Khajeh pour, Sana; Mateen, Sameena; Pashikanti, Srinath; Barrott, Jared J.; Aghazadeh-Habashi, Ali (August 2022, Marine Drugs)

   Sphingomyelin is a cell membrane sphingolipid that is upregulated in synovial sarcoma (SS). Jaspine B has been shown to inhibit sphingomyelin synthase, which synthesizes sphingomyelin from ceramide, a critical signal transducer; however, jaspine B’s low bioavailability limits its application as a promising treatment option. To address this shortcoming, we used microfluidics to develop a liposomal delivery system with increased anticancer efficacy. The nano-liposome size was determined by transmission electron microscopy. The jaspine B liposome was tested for its tumor inhibitory efficacy compared to plain jaspine B in in vitro and in vivo studies. The human SS cell line was tested for cell viability using varying jaspine B concentrations. In a mouse model of SS, tumor growth suppression was evaluated during four weeks of treatment (3 times/week). The results show that jaspine B was successfully formulated in the liposomes with a size ranging from 127.5 ± 61.2 nm. The MTT assay and animal study results indicate that jaspine B liposomes dose-dependently lowers cell viability in the SS cell line and effectively suppresses tumor cell growth in the SS animal model. The novel liposome drug delivery system addresses jaspine B’s low bioavailability issues and improves its therapeutic efficacy. 

   more » « less
5. Liposome‐Templated Green Synthesis of Mesoporous Metal Nanostructures with Universal Composition for Biomedical Application

   https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202304880  

   Wang, Jinping; Sun, Jingyu; Khade, Rahul L.; Chou, Tsengming; An, Hailong; Zhang, Yong; Wang, Hongjun (July 2023, Small)

   Abstract Porous noble metal nanoparticles have received particular attention recently for their unique optical, thermal, and catalytic functions in biomedicine. However, limited progress has been made to synthesize such porous metallic nanostructures with large mesopores (≥25 nm). Here, a green yet facile synthesis strategy using biocompatible liposomes as templates to mediate the formation of mesoporous metallic nanostructures in a controllable fashion is reported. Various monodispersed nanostructures with well‐defined mesoporous shape and large mesopores (≈ 40 nm) are successfully synthesized from mono‐ (Au, Pd, and Pt), bi‐ (AuPd, AuPt, AuRh, PtRh, and PdPt), and tri‐noble metals (AuPdRh, AuPtRh, and AuPdPt). Along with a successful demonstration of its effectiveness in synthesis of various mesoporous nanostructures, the possible mechanism of liposome‐guided formation of such nanostructures via time sectioning of the synthesis process (monitoring time‐resolved growth of mesoporous structures) and computational quantum molecular modeling (analyzing chemical interaction energy between metallic cations and liposomes at the enthalpy level) is also revealed. These mesoporous metallic nanostructures exhibit a strong photothermal effect in the near‐infrared region, effective catalytic activities in hydrogen peroxide decomposition reaction, and high drug loading capacity. Thus, the liposome‐templated method provides an inspiring and robust avenue to synthesize mesoporous noble metal‐based nanostructures for versatile biomedical applications. 

   more » « less