Near-infrared light-sensitive liposomes for controlled release

Abstract

A photoresponsive amphiphilic lipid molecule with phosphatidylcholine as the headgroup and a near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive unit on the hydrophobic moiety was synthesized. Liposomes constituting the NIR-responsive lipid, cholesterol and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, were constructed and applied as a photocontrolled release system. The precisely controlled release of the loaded cargo was demonstrated by adjusting the irradiation parameters and content of the photoresponsive species. The low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility of the photoresponsive lipid was demonstrated by MTT assay. This study provides us with a new choice for developing a photoresponsive drug delivery system.