Dopasomes: dopamine-mediated cross-linked lipid vesicles†

Abstract

Liposomes offer significant advantages for drug delivery but are limited by poor stability, which hinders product development and therapeutic efficacy. In biological environments containing surfactant-like components such as serum proteins and bile salts, liposomes are susceptible to destabilization. In this study, we designed and synthesized dopamine-containing, self-polymerizing lipids that self-assemble into liposomal structures, termed “dopasome.” Dopasomes retained their structural integrity even in the presence of Triton X-100 and enabled efficient intracellular delivery of doxorubicin hydrochloride.