Tailoring the Lamellarity of Liposomes Prepared by Dual Centrifugation

Abstract

Dual centrifugation (DC) is a new and versatile technique for the preparation of liposomes by in-vial homogenization of lipid-water mixtures. Size, size distribution, and entrapping efficiencies are strongly dependent on the lipid concentration during DC-homogenization. In this study, we investigated the detailed structure of DC-made liposomes. To do so, an assay to determine the ratio of inner to total membrane surfaces of liposomes (inaccessible surface) was developed based on either time-resolved or steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. In addition, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) was used to confirm the lamellarity results and learn more about liposome morphology. One striking result leads to the possibility of producing a novel type of liposome—small multilamellar vesicles (SMVs) with low PDI, sizes of the order of 100 nm, and almost completely filled with bilayers. A second particularly important finding is that VPGs can be prepared to contain open bilayer structures that will close spontaneously when, after storage, more aqueous phase is added and liposomes are formed. Through this process, a drug can effectively be entrapped immediately before application. In addition, dual centrifugation at lower lipid concentrations is found to produce predominantly unilamellar vesicles.