Determination of the activity of maleimide-functionalized phospholipids during preparation of liposomes

Numerous examples exist in the literature for the use of maleimide-thiol-reactions in the area of functionalized nanoparticles. Although the hydrolysis tendency of maleimides is well-known, qualitative and quantitative information on the stability and reactivity of maleimide groups during preparation and in final formulations are missing. This is surprising, since hydrolysis of maleimides prevents nanoparticle functionalization and results in an increase of negative surface charge due to the hydrolysis product maleic acid. In this study we investigated the stability of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[maleimide-2000] (DSPE-PEG₂₀₀₀-Mal) during the preparation of liposomes via two common preparation methods, which can be distinguished by the insertion of DSPE-PEG₂₀₀₀-Mal during or after the liposome formation process (pre-insertion and post-insertion process). The liposomes prepared by the pre-insertion method had 63% active maleimide groups remaining on their surface. The activity decreased dramatically during the purification process down to 32%. The preparation by post-insertion showed minimal effects with regard to maleimide activity. 76% of maleimide groups were active and therefore available for coupling reaction. By identifying active maleimide groups on the surface of the final formulations, the presented work revealed the dramatic impact of preparation methods on the activity of maleimide groups.