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Optimizing rapid solvent exchange preparation of multilamellar vesicles
A A Rieder1, D Koller1, K Lohner1
1University of Graz, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics Division, NAWI Graz, Humboldtstr. 50/III, A-8010 Graz, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, Austria.
Chemistry and Physics of Lipids
|December 24, 2014
Summary
Researchers optimized the rapid solvent exchange (RSE) method for producing multilamellar vesicles (MLVs). Lowering vortexing and degassing speeds, alongside high lipid and solvent concentrations, enhanced MLV yield.
Area of Science:
- Biophysical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Vesicle formation is crucial for drug delivery and biomimetic systems.
- Current methods like rapid solvent exchange (RSE) produce vesicles with variable characteristics.
- Optimizing RSE for controlled multilamellar vesicle (MLV) production is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the rapid solvent exchange (RSE) apparatus with precise controls.
- To optimize conditions for maximizing the yield of multilamellar vesicles (MLVs).
- To investigate the influence of various parameters on vesicle formation and lamellarity.
Main Methods:
- Modified the RSE apparatus with controls for temperature, evacuation speed, and vortex velocity.
- Systematically varied lipid concentration, organic solvent concentration, and aqueous medium composition.
- Analyzed vesicle characteristics using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), and X-ray experiments.
Main Results:
- Published RSE protocols resulted in vesicles of diverse size and lamellarity.
- Reduced vortexing frequencies and slower degassing significantly increased MLV yield.
- High lipid concentrations and organic solvent/buffer ratios favored MLV formation.
Conclusions:
- The enhanced RSE apparatus allows for better control over vesicle production.
- Optimized parameters, particularly reduced agitation and specific concentrations, promote MLV formation.
- Microscopic instabilities in the aqueous phase may act as templates for vesicle assembly.
