Liposome-based hybrid drug delivery systems with DNA nanostructures and metallic nanoparticles

ABSTRACT

Introduction

This review discusses novel hybrid assemblies that are based on liposomal formulations. The focus is on the hybrid constructs that are formed through the integration of liposomes/vesicles with other nano-objects such as nucleic acid nanostructures and metallic nanoparticles. The aim is to introduce some of the recent, specific examples that bridge different technologies and thus may form a new platform for advanced drug delivery applications.

Areas covered

We present selected examples of liposomal formulations combined with complex nanostructures either based on biomolecules like DNA origami or on metallic materials – metal/metal oxide/magnetic particles and metallic nanostructures, such as metal organic frameworks – together with their applications in drug delivery and beyond.

Expert opinion

Merging the above-mentioned techniques could lead to development of drug delivery vehicles with the most desirable properties; multifunctionality, biocompatibility, high drug loading efficiency/accuracy/capacity, and stimuli-responsiveness. In the near future, we believe that especially the strategies combining dynamic, triggerable and programmable DNA nanostructures and liposomes could be used to create artificial liposome clusters for multiple applications such as examining protein-mediated interactions between lipid bilayers and channeling materials between liposomes for enhanced pharmacokinetic properties in drug delivery.

KEYWORDS:

• Liposomes
• vesicles
• phospholipids
• nucleic acid nanostructures
• DNA origami
• metal nanoparticles
• magnetic nanoparticles
• polymers

Article highlights

• Custom DNA nanostructures can be used as nanoscopic instruments in creating tailored liposomes or studying lipid membrane interactions/deformations, but they can also be directly incorporated into the liposomes to enhance or trigger drug delivery.

• Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles embedded in liposomes can have multiple functions in drug delivery as they can be used for example in chemo-photothermal therapy, but they can also be harnessed as robust and stable molecular templates, catalysts, and imaging agents.

• Magnetoliposomes may serve as promising vehicles for stimuli-responsive drug delivery as they can be triggered by external magnetic fields and simultaneously used as high-contrast imaging agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This article was funded by the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, ERA Chair MATTER from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 856705, and Mobilitas 3.0 Program under the framework of the JPIAMR - Joint Programming Initiative on Antimicrobial Resistance.