Various properties of urease encapsulated into liposomes

The enzymic activity of plant urease encapsulated into liposomes from egg lecithin was studied. Liposomes contained 3-5% of the initial enzymic preparation. Incorporation of urease into liposomes increases the permeability of the lecithin membrane for urea. The liposome membrane provides protection of the incorporated material from the inhibitory action of heavy metal ions. Kinetics of the reactions catalyzed by the free enzyme and encapsulated one is different. Km for the encapsulated enzyme is 1 X 10(-3) M and for free urease--4 X 10(-4) M, that is related to limited substrate mass transfer rate and as a result of it due to inhomogeneity of the catalysis proceeding in liposomes.     

Effect of microwave radiation on the permeability of carbonic anhydrase loaded unilamellar liposomes

The influence of 2.45 GHz microwave exposure (6 mW/g) on the diffusion processes in enzyme-loaded unilamellar liposomes as bioreactors was studied. The enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA) was entrapped into cationic unilamellar vesicles. Previous kinetic experiments showed a very low self-diffusion rate of the substrate p-nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA) across intact liposome bilayer. A twofold increase in the diffusion rate of PNPA through the lipid bilayer was observed after 120 min of microwave radiation compared to temperature control samples. The microwave effect was time dependent. The enzyme activity, as a function of increased diffusion of PNPA, rises over 120 min from 22.3% to 80%. The increase in stearylamine concentration reduces the enzyme activity from 80% to 65% at 120 min. No enzyme leakage was observed. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effect of low frequency, low amplitude magnetic fields on the permeability of cationic liposomes entrapping carbonic anhydrase: I. Evidence for charged lipid involvement

The influence of low frequency (4-16 Hz), low amplitude (25-75 mu T) magnetic fields on the diffusion processes in enzyme-loaded unilamellar liposomes as bioreactors was studied. Cationic liposomes containing dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and charged lipid stearylamine (SA) at different molar ratios (6:3:1 or 5:3:2) were used. Previous kinetic experiments showed a very low self-diffusion rate of the substrate p-nitrophenyl acetate (p-NPA) across intact liposome bilayer. After 60 min of exposure to 7 Hz sinusoidal (50 mu T peak) and parallel static (50 mu T) magnetic fields the enzyme activity, as a function of increased diffusion rate of p-NPA, rose from 17 +/- 3% to 80 +/- 9% (P < .0005, n = 15) in the 5:3:2 liposomes. This effect was dependent on the SA concentration in the liposomes. Only the presence of combined sinusoidal (AC) and static (DC) magnetic fields affected the p-NPA diffusion rates. No enzyme leakage was observed. Such studies suggest a plausible link between the action of extremely low frequency magnetic field on charged lipids and a change of membrane permeability.     

Spontaneous lipid vesicle fusion with electropermeabilized cells

Fusion is obtained between electropermeabilized mammalian cells and intact large unilamellar lipid vesicles. This is monitored by a fluorescence assay. Prepulse contact is obtained by Ca2+ when negatively charged lipids are present in the liposomes. The mixing of the liposome content in the cell cytoplasm is observed under conditions preserving cell viability. Electric conditions are such that free liposomes are not affected by the external field. Therefore destabilization of only one of the two membranes of the partners is sufficient for fusion. The comparison between the efficiency of dye delivery for different liposome preparations (multilamellar vesicles, large unilamellar vesicles, small unilamellar vesicles) is indicative that more metastable liposomes are more fusable with electropulsated cells. This observation is discussed within the framework of the recent hypothesis that occurrence of a contact induced electrostatic destabilization of the plasma membrane is a key step in the exocytosis process.     

Pharmacokinetics of the iron chelator desperrioxamine as affected by liposome encapsulation: potential in treatment of chronic hemosiderosis

Desferrioxamine (DF), the chelator of choice for removal of excess stored iron, is limited by its rapid excretion, metabolic breakdown, and low cell uptake. We have encapsulated DF in unilamellar and multilamellar liposomes, and have compared the short-term pharmacokinetics of nonencapsulated and encapsulated ⁵⁹Fe-labeled DF after intravenous administration. Disappearance of ⁵⁹Fe-DF from the plasma was very rapid in mice receiving multilamellar liposome-encapsulated and nonencapsulated drug, but much slower in mice receiving unilamellar liposomes. Between 1 and 24 hours after injection, nonencapsulated ⁵⁹Fe-DF never exceeded 1–5% of the injected dose (ID) in liver or < 0.7% in spleen; whereas after either multilamellar or unilamellar liposomes, the uptake in liver was 30–35% ID, and in spleen was 1–5% ID. Excretion of ⁵⁹Fe-DF was much slower with liposome encapsulation. These results indicate that liposomes can effectively deliver DF to critical organs of iron storage. Thus this drug delivery system is potentially useful for treatment of iron overload.     

beta-Galactosidase-induced destabilization of liposome composed of phosphatidylethanolamine and ganglioside GM1

A novel type of liposome bilayer destabilization catalyzed by the enzyme, beta-galactosidase, is described. Unsaturated phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), an HII-phase-forming lipid, does not form stable liposomes at physiological temperature and pH. However, stable unilamellar liposomes can be prepared by mixing PE with a minimum of 5 mol% ganglioside GM1, a micellar-phase-forming lipid. Treatment of these GM1/PE liposomes with beta-galactosidase induces a rapid leakage (3-6 min) of the entrapped fluorescent dye, calcein. The studies indicate that liposome destabilization is the result of catalytic degradation of GM1, rather than a stoichiometric binding of GM1 by beta-galactosidase. Kinetic data indicate that the destabilization takes place via liposome collision. This simple, rapid method of liposome destabilization by beta-galactosidase will be useful in designing a liposome-based signal amplification mechanism for assays involving enzymes.     

Infection of cells with Sindbis virus nucleocapsids entrapped into liposomes

The nucleocapsid of Sindbis virus, a natural non-infectious complex of the viral RNA and protein molecules can be encapsulated in large, unilamellar vesicles and delivered efficiently to cells in an infectious form. It is shown that high infectivity of the vesicle entrapped nucleocapsids is partly due to the viral envelope proteins which enhance entrapment and liposome cell interaction.We believe that the efficiency of liposome mediated gene transfer of eukaryotic cells can be increased significantly by the insertion of fusogenic viral envelope proteins into the lipid bilayer of liposomes.     

Surfactant as modulating agent of enzyme-loaded liposome activity

Large phosphatydilcholine unilamellar vesicles appear to be suitable controlled and protective delivery systems of beta-galactosidase. Kinetic measurements carried out on intact loaded liposomes show that most of the enzyme is entrapped inside the liposomes and its activity is latent. Nevertheless, intact liposomes also show significant activity, which can be controlled by addition of detergent. At sublytic detergent concentrations, liposome enzymatic activity reaches values two or three times greater than those of intact liposomes. This increase seems to be due to membrane structure modification that also enhances the substrate permeability across the bilayer. (c) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 55: 261-266, 1997.     

Shear stress-facilitated calcium ion transport across lipid bilayers.

Small unilamellar liposomes were used in this study of shear stress effects on the trans-bilayer flux of calcium ions (Ca2+). Liposome suspensions were prepared from 99% egg phosphatidylcholine by a microporous filter extrusion technique. The inner aqueous phase of the unilamellar liposomes contained indo-1(5-), a fluorescent indicator of free Ca2+. The external aqueous phase was composed of Hepes-buffered saline containing normal physiological levels of common ionic species. Calcium ion levels were set at 100 nM and 1 mM in the inner and outer aqueous phases, respectively. Liposome suspensions were exposed to graded levels of uniform shear stress in an optically modified rotational viscometer. Intraliposome Ca2+ concentration was estimated from continuous measurement of indo-1(5-) fluorescence. Electronically measured particle size distribution was used to determine liposome surface area for estimation of trans-bilayer Ca2+ flux. Trans-bilayer Ca2+ flux increased linearly with applied shear rate from 27 s-1 to 2700 s-1. Diffusional resistance of the lipid bilayer, not the convective resistance of the surrounding fluid, was the limiting step in the transport of Ca2+. Liposome permeability to Ca2+ increased by nearly two orders of magnitude over the physiologically relevant shear rate range studied. Solute transport in injectable liposome preparations may be dramatically influenced by cardiovascular fluid stress. Solute delivery rates determined in liposomes exposed to static conditions may not accurately predict in vivo, cardiovascular solute transport.     

Liposomes: From the Bench to the Bed

Abstract

Our recent in vivo studies have investigated the surface adsorption property of various circulating liposomes to blood proteins, and have related this property to liposome clearance behavior. In particular, we have investigated liposomes composed of different charged or neutral lipids, fatty acyl chain length and saturation, and cholesterol content. From these studies an apparent inverse relationship between the amount of blood protein that associates with large unilamellar vesicles and the circulation half-lives of the liposomes is observed, indicating that protein-mediated liposome clearance mechanisms are dominant. Furthermore, by comparing the protein profiles of rapidly cleared liposomes with liposomes exhibiting enhanced circulation times, key blood proteins have been identified and implicated in the clearance process.     

Ligand self-association at the surface of liposomes: A complication during equilibrium-binding studies

Daunomycin and carminomycin, two anthracycline antibiotics known to bind phospholipid bilayers, appear to self-associate at the surface of liposomes at high bound drug/lipid ratios (r). Fluorescence intensity, lifetime, and anisotropy measurements have been used to monitor the equilibrium binding of these drugs to small unilamellar solid-phase dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles. Association of an anthracycline with excess liposome (low r) resulted in an increase in both the observed intensity and the fluorescence lifetime. At low vesicle concentrations (high r), a decrease in the total emission intensity was observed which was not paralleled by the excited-state lifetime. The data from these experiments are consistent with the formation of nonfluorescent anthracycline complexes at the surface of liposomes. Such ligand self-association is a potential complication in any studies on the interaction of amphipathic molecules with liposomes conducted at high r values. Because ligand self-association limits the collection of binding data over certain concentration ranges, this consequently results in greater uncertainty in the determination of the maximum value of r (n) in equilibrium binding studies.     

Receptor-mediated uptake of asialoganglioside liposomes: sub-cellular distribution of the liposomal marker in isolated liver cell types

The use of asialo GM1-containing small unilamellar liposome preparations in vivo caused a 2.8-fold increase in the uptake by the liver as compared with the control (neutral) preparations (without asialo GM1). The uptake of negatively charged dicetylphosphate and dipalmitoyl phosphatidic acid-containing small unilamellar liposomes was found to be 1.6-and 1.8-fold respectively higher than that of the neutral preparations. In studies with isolated liver cell types, inhibition of the galactosylated liposome uptake by asialofetuin indicated a possible involvement of hepatic galactose receptors in the recognition of asialo GM1 liposomes by the hepatic parenchymal cells, which in turn were found to be mainly responsible for the enhanced incorporation of these liposomes in the liver. Sub-cellular distribution studies with isolated liver cell types indicated lysosomal localization of the liposomes both in parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells, and it has been proposed that the asialo GM1 liposomes are cointernalized with asialofetuin through a common lysosomal route of ligand internalization.     

Encapsulation of Enrofloxacin in Liposomes I: Preparation and In Vitro Characterization of LUV

Liposomes are effectively used in the treatment of microbial infections. Higher cellular uptake has been reported when antibiotics are encapsulated in liposomes. In this study, enrofloxacin (ENF) was encapsulated in large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) and the effects of formulation variables on the liposome characteristics were investigated. Liposomes were prepared using dry lipid film method. A number of variables such as molar ratios of phospholipid (DPPC; DL‐α‐phosphatidylcholine dipalmitoyl), cholesterol, ENF and amount of α‐tocopherol and the volumes of internal (chloroform) and external phases [phosphate buffered saline PBS (pH 7.4)] were studied. In vitro characterization of the liposomes including the encapsulation capacity, size and drug release properties were carried out. Using of this method, spherical LUV liposomes with high drug content could be produced. Particle size of liposomes changed between 3.12 and 4.95 µm. The molar ratios of DPPC, cholesterol and ENF affected the size of the liposome (p < 0.05). The drug encapsulation capacities were high and changed between 37.1% and 79.5%. The highest ENF encapsulation was obtained with the highest cholesterol content. An increase in the drug encapsulation capacity of the liposome was found with increasing molar ratios of DPPC, cholesterol and ENF (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the release of ENF from the liposomes decreased as the molar ratios of DPPC, cholesterol and ENF increased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a convenient colloidal carrier for the controlled release of ENF can be prepared by changing the formulation parameters of LUVs.     

Encapsulation of enrofloxacin in liposomes I: preparation and in vitro characterization of LUV

Liposomes are effectively used in the treatment of microbial infections. Higher cellular uptake has been reported when antibiotics are encapsulated in liposomes. In this study, enrofloxacin (ENF) was encapsulated in large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) and the effects of formulation variables on the liposome characteristics were investigated. Liposomes were prepared using dry lipid film method. A number of variables such as molar ratios of phospholipid (DPPC; DL-alpha-phosphatidylcholine dipalmitoyl), cholesterol, ENF and amount of alpha-tocopherol and the volumes of internal (chloroform) and external phases [phosphate buffered saline PBS (pH 7.4)] were studied. In vitro characterization of the liposomes including the encapsulation capacity, size and drug release properties were carried out. Using of this method, spherical LUV liposomes with high drug content could be produced. Particle size of liposomes changed between 3.12 and 4.95 microm. The molar ratios of DPPC, cholesterol and ENF affected the size of the liposome (p < 0.05). The drug encapsulation capacities were high and changed between 37.1% and 79.5%. The highest ENF encapsulation was obtained with the highest cholesterol content. An increase in the drug encapsulation capacity of the liposome was found with increasing molar ratios of DPPC, cholesterol and ENF (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the release of ENF from the liposomes decreased as the molar ratios of DPPC, cholesterol and ENF increased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a convenient colloidal carrier for the controlled release of ENF can be prepared by changing the formulation parameters of LUVs.     

Preparation and characterization of immunoliposomes for targeting of antiviral agents

Antibodies specific to avian myeloblastosis virus envelope glycoprotein gp80 were raised. Immunoliposomes were prepared using anti-avian myeloblastosis virus envelope glycoprotein gp80 antibody. The antibody was palmitoylated to facilitate its incorporation into lipid bilayers of liposomes. The fluorescence emission spectra of palmitoylated IgG have exhibited a shift in emission maximum from 330 to 370 nm when it was incorporated into the liposomes. At least 50% of the incorporated antibody molecules were found to be oriented towards the outside in the liposomes. The average size of the liposome was found to be 300 A, and on an average, 15 antibody molecules were shown to be present in a liposome. When adriamycin encapsulated in immunoliposomes was incubated in a medium containing serum for 72 h, about 75% of the drug was retained in liposomes. In vivo localization studies, revealed an enhanced delivery of drug encapsulated in immunoliposomes to the target tissue, as compared to free drug or drug encapsulated in free liposomes. These data suggest a possible use of the drugs encapsulated in immunoliposomes to deliver the drugs in target areas, thereby reducing side effects caused by antiviral agents.     

Surface changes induced by osmotic stress and its influence on the glycerol permeability in lipid bilayers

The penetration rate of glycerol across lipid bilayers can be assayed dispersing liposomes filled with a 0.1 M glucose solution in an isotonic or a hypertonic solution of glycerol. The kinetic of glycerol permeation is found to be different in each of those cases. Liposomes dispersed above the phase transition temperature in hypertonic solutions show an increase in the surface polarization as measured by means of merocyanine 540. Under this condition, the permeation of glycerol shows a two-step kinetic which is indicative of a non-fickean diffusion process. In contrast, liposomes dispersed in isotonic solutions of the permeant show a fickean behavior. The changes in polarization of the membrane interface are ascribed to variations in the surface potential due to the osmotic collapse and the glycerol concentration in contact with the outer surface. The permeability of polar molecules can, in consequence, be considered as a function of the surface potential of the liposome which is congruent with previous data in literature reporting that water permeability increases as a function of the zeta potential of liposomes shrunken in hypertonic solutions.     

A novel method for encapsulation of macromolecules in liposomes

Hemoglobin and alkaline phosphatase were each encapsulated in phosphatidylcholine liposomes using a dehydration-rehydration cycle for liposome formation. In this method, liposomes prepared by sonication are mixed in aqueous solution with the solute desired to be encapsulated and the mixture is dried under nitrogen in a rotating flask. As the sample is dehydrated, the liposomes fuse to form a multilamellar film that effectively sandwiches the solute molecules. Upon rehydration, large liposomes are produced which have encapsulated a significant fraction of the solute. The optimal mass ratio of lipid to solute is approx. 1:2 to 1:3. This method has potential application in large-scale liposome production, since it depends only on a controlled drying and rehydration process, and does not require extensive use of organic solvents, detergents, or dialysis systems.     

LDL-mediated targeting of liposomes to leukemic lymphocytes in vitro.

We describe a method for the covalent coupling of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) to the surface of small unilamellar vesicles, and the delivery of the liposome content to leukemic L2C lymphocytes in vitro. We demonstrate the stability of the linkage between LDL and liposomes, the preservation of vesicle integrity and the affinity of the LDL for their specific receptors after the coupling reaction. Hygromycin B, an impermeant inhibitor of protein synthesis, was encapsulated in the targeted liposomes, and delivered into the cytoplasm of leukemic L2C lymphocytes by the LDL pathway, as demonstrated by the lethal effect on cells measured by 51chromium-release assay.     

Quantitative Analysis of the Lamellarity of Giant Liposomes Prepared by the Inverted Emulsion Method

The inverted emulsion method is used to prepare giant liposomes by pushing water-in-oil droplets through the oil/water interface into an aqueous medium. Due to the high encapsulation efficiency of proteins under physiological conditions and the simplicity of the protocol, it has been widely used to prepare various cell models. However, the lamellarity of liposomes prepared by this method has not been evaluated quantitatively. Here, we prepared liposomes that were partially stained with a fluorescent dye, and analyzed their fluorescence intensity under an epifluorescence microscope. The fluorescence intensities of the membranes of individual liposomes were plotted against their diameter. The plots showed discrete distributions, which were classified into several groups. The group with the lowest fluorescence intensity was determined to be unilamellar by monitoring the exchangeability of the inner and the outer solutions of the liposomes in the presence of the pore-forming toxin α-hemolysin. Increasing the lipid concentration dissolved in oil increased the number of liposomes ∼100 times. However, almost all the liposomes were unilamellar even at saturating lipid concentrations. We also investigated the effects of lipid composition and liposome content, such as highly concentrated actin filaments and Xenopus egg extracts, on the lamellarity of the liposomes. Remarkably, over 90% of the liposomes were unilamellar under all conditions examined. We conclude that the inverted emulsion method can be used to efficiently prepare giant unilamellar liposomes and is useful for designing cell models.     

Low pH-induced fusion of liposomes with membrane vesicles derived from Bacillus subtilis

We have investigated the pH-dependent interaction between large unilamellar phospholipid vesicles (liposomes) and membrane vesicles derived from Bacillus subtilis, utilizing a fluorescent assay based on resonance energy transfer (RET) (Struck, D. K., Hoekstra, D., and Pagano, R. E. (1981) Biochemistry 20, 4093-4099). Efficient interaction occurs only with negatively charged liposomes, containing cardiolipin or phosphatidylserine, as revealed by the dilution of the RET probes from the liposomal bilayer into the bacterial membrane. The initial rate of fluorophore dilution increases steeply with decreasing pH. The interaction involves a process of membrane fusion, as indicated by the proportional transfer of cholesteryl-[1-14C]oleate, 14C-labeled egg PC, and the RET probes from the liposomes to the bacterial vesicles, the formation of interaction products with an intermediate buoyant density, and the appearance of colloidal gold, initially encapsulated in the liposomes, in the internal volume of fused structures as revealed by thin-section electron microscopy. Treatment of B. subtilis vesicles with trypsin strongly inhibits the fusion reaction, indicating the protein dependence of the process. Vesicles derived from Streptococcus cremoris or from the inner membrane of Escherichia coli also show low pH-dependent fusion with liposomes. The fusion process described in this paper may well be of considerable importance to studies on the mechanisms of membrane fusion and to studies on the structure and function of bacterial membranes. In addition, the fusion reaction could be utilized to deliver foreign substances into bacterial protoplasts.