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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
06:51
Studies of Chaperone-Cochaperone Interactions using Homogenous Bead-Based Assay
Published on: July 21, 2021
Cochleates bridged by drug molecules.
Uwais M Syed1, Amy F Woo, Fotios Plakogiannis
1Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY 11201-5497, USA.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
|July 26, 2008
Summary
New cochleates encapsulate cationic drugs using peptides as bridges, forming stable structures. These nanometer-sized cochleates fuse with cell membranes, enhancing drug delivery and improving antibacterial activity compared to traditional liposomes.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Nanomedicine
Background:
- Cochleates are novel drug delivery vehicles formed by lipid-cation interactions.
- Traditional cochleates utilize multivalent metal ions as bridges.
- Encapsulation of water-soluble cationic drugs and peptides presents a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a new type of cochleate using cationic drugs/peptides as inter-bi-layer bridges.
- To investigate the properties and cell interaction of these novel cochleates.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of peptide-bridged cochleates.
Main Methods:
- Formation of cochleates via interaction between negatively charged lipids and cationic drugs/peptides.
- EDTA treatment to induce opening of cochleates into liposomes.
- Hydrogel isolated cochleation and varying peptide-to-liposome ratios for size control.
- Incubation of fluorescently labeled cochleates and liposomes with human fibroblasts.
- Bactericidal activity assay using tobramycin-bridged cochleates.
Main Results:
- A novel cochleate type was formed using cationic drugs/peptides as bridges, encapsulating water-soluble molecules.
- These cochleates could be opened into liposomes with EDTA, indicating extractability of organic bridges.
- Sub-micron cochleates were produced via hydrogel isolation or adjusted peptide-to-liposome ratios.
- Cochleates exhibited enhanced fusion with human fibroblast cell surfaces compared to liposomes.
- Tobramycin-bridged cochleates demonstrated improved antibacterial activity over tobramycin solution.
Conclusions:
- Peptide-bridged cochleates represent a new class of drug delivery vehicles with unique properties.
- The fusion mechanism with cell membranes enhances cellular uptake and therapeutic efficacy.
- These novel cochleates show promise for improved delivery of cationic drugs and peptides.
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