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Updated: Oct 20, 2025
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A Photodynamic Approach to Study Function of Intracellular Vesicle Rupture
Published on: March 17, 2023
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Experimental Perspectives on Direct Visualization of Endosomal Rupture
Rachael A Day1, Ellen M Sletten1
1Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, 90095, USA.
Chembiochem : a European Journal of Chemical Biology
|September 14, 2021
Summary
Directly measuring endosomal escape is crucial for nanomaterial therapeutics. This study presents three novel assays to precisely detect endosomal/lysosomal rupture, improving drug delivery research.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Endosomal escape is a critical bottleneck for nanomaterial-based therapeutics.
- Current assays often fail to distinguish membrane rupture from payload release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate three distinct methods for directly assessing endosomal/lysosomal rupture.
- To provide a more accurate evaluation of nanomaterial-induced membrane disruption.
Main Methods:
- Calcein dye dilution assay for membrane integrity.
- Lysosome size quantification via microscopy.
- Genetically engineered cell lines to visualize membrane rupture.
Main Results:
- The three developed assays successfully quantified endosomal/lysosomal rupture.
- Methods were validated using osmotic pressure and photochemical internalization models.
- Demonstrated ability to decouple membrane disruption from payload release.
Conclusions:
- These assays offer a direct and reliable approach to study endosomal escape.
- Improved methods are essential for advancing the development of effective nanomaterial drug delivery systems.
