Design of i-Motif DNA-Modified Liposomes: Membrane Modulation and Drug Release Control

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Nanomedicine
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Controlled drug release from liposomes requires functionalized membranes sensitive to external stimuli.
• Designing liposomal drug delivery systems with stimuli-responsive properties is crucial for targeted and efficient therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop pH-responsive liposomal-spherical nucleic acids (LSNAs) for enhanced drug delivery.
• To investigate the effect of DNA i-motif formation on liposome membrane properties and drug release.
• To optimize LSNA design for controlled and effective drug release based on pH changes.

Main Methods:

• Modification of liposome surfaces with DNA sequences capable of forming i-motifs.
• Utilizing fluorescence spectroscopy for membrane characterization and determining optimal DNA modification levels.
• Evaluating pH-dependent changes in membrane fluidity and drug release profiles (doxorubicin) of LSNAs.

Main Results:

• DNA-modified liposomes exhibited pH-dependent membrane fluidity changes.
• Intermolecular i-motif formation led to decreased membrane fluidity.
• A significant increase in doxorubicin release was observed under conditions favoring intermolecular i-motif formation.

Conclusions:

• LSNAs demonstrate dynamic pH-responsive changes enabling controlled drug release.
• Precision design based on membrane characterization optimizes LSNA performance for high drug release efficacy.
• This approach offers a promising strategy for developing advanced stimuli-responsive drug delivery platforms.