Facile synthesis of partially uncapped liposomes

Sophisticated control of the assembly of nano-sized structures to achieve desired properties is one of the most efficient techniques in drug carrier design. In this study, we hypothesized that under magnetic shear stress, high-density superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles dispersed in a liposome would apply a high load in a particular direction to a liposome membrane and ultimately generate open lipid bilayer holes. Indeed, the designed experimental conditions enabled the formation of one or multiple open pore sites in liposome membranes. With this evidence, open lipid bilayer holes in liposome membranes were further used as open entrances for proteins (bovine serum albumin or insulin) into the liposomes prior to the natural recovery (i.e., closing) of the lipid bilayer holes. This trial will provide potential opportunities for the engineering of functional liposomes for protein drug delivery.