Model Liposomal Delivery System for Drugs and Vaccines

Abstract

Background
Liposomes have been used for drug delivery since their discovery 60-years-ago. The advantages they provide as carriers have been
recognised and exploited to improve the delivery of numerous drugs and eliminate harmful side-effects. Liposomal delivery has
been tested for anticancer drugs, anti-tuberculosis drugs, variety of vaccines, just to list a few.
Methods
We developed a series of liposomal formulations with the addition of cholesterol and polyethylene glycol. The uptake of these
formulations by human epithelial prostate cancer (PC-3) cells and mouse macrophages was examined and analysed by flow
cytometry and confocal microscopy.
Results
Among the liposomes tested, small anionic liposome vesicles (≤200 nm) prepared with egg phosphatidylglycerol as the main lipid
were most effectively taken up by PC-3 cells and macrophages.
Conclusion
We produced a liposome formulation that can be used as a model system for the delivery of drugs and vaccines.