Uniform and stable hydrogel-filled liposome-analogous vesicles with a thin elastomer shell layer

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Liposomes are widely used for drug delivery but can lack shell stability.
• Developing robust vesicle structures is crucial for controlled molecule transport.
• Microfluidic techniques offer precise control in fabricating complex emulsions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a novel liposome-analogous vesicle with enhanced shell stability.
• To investigate the role of a polyurethane film in vesicle structure and function.
• To assess the potential of these vesicles for regulating small molecule permeation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of water-in-oil-in-water double emulsion templates using capillary microfluidics.
• Formation of a polyurethane (PU) elastomer film between 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) layers via UV irradiation.
• Characterization using confocal laser microscopy and measurement of PU film thickness (∼4μm).

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized uniform liposome-analogous vesicles with a stable core-shell structure.
• Confirmed the presence and integration of a thin PU film between DPPC layers.
• Demonstrated significantly improved shell impermeability due to the incorporated PU film.

Conclusions:

• The novel vesicle system exhibits superior structural integrity and controlled permeability.
• The PU film acts as a crucial component for enhancing shell impermeability.
• These stable vesicles show promise for applications in regulating small molecule transport through lipid-based films.