title: Liposome-based nanocapsules.
abstract: Here we present three different types of mechanically stable nanometer-sized hollow capsules. The common point of the currently developed systems in our laboratory is that they are liposome based. Biomolecules can be used to functionalize lipid vesicles to create a new type of intelligent material. For example, insertion of membrane channels into the capsule wall can modify the permeability. Covalent binding of antibodies allows targeting of the capsule to specific sites. Liposomes loaded with enzymes may provide an optimal environment for them with respect to the maximal turnover and may stabilize the enzyme. However, the main drawback of liposomes is their instability in biological media as well as their sensitivity to many external parameters such as temperature or osmotic pressure. To increase their stability we follow different strategies: 1) polymerize a two-dimensional network in the hydrophobic core of the membrane; 2) coat the liposome with a polyelectrolyte shell; or 3) add surface active polymers to form mixed vesicular structures.
authors.affiliation: Institut Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale-CNRS UMR5089, Toulouse F-31077, France.
authors.forename: Tristan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ruysschaert
authors.forename: Matthieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Germain
authors.forename: Joana Filipa Pereira da Silva
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fournier
authors.forename: Gleb B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Sukhorukov
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Winterhalter
mesh_terms: D002214:Capsules / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008081:Liposomes / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D049329:Nanostructures; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D011073:Polyamines / Q000737:chemistry; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D008081:Liposomes; D008689:Methacrylates; D011073:Polyamines; D011137:Polystyrenes; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C063994:polyallylamine; C003321:polystyrene sulfonic acid