Described here is a group of stimuli-responsive container molecules, based on lipids, that have the ability to have their contents released to the environment upon activation by a redox stimulus. Redox activation leads to cleavage of chemical moieties attached to the container lipids, and this event results in disassembly of the container, thereby causing the delivery of the container's contents. Self-immolative phospholipid vesicles based on a hydroquinone/quinone responsive moiety that undergoes reductive cyclization and removal are investigated. Discussed here is the impact of quinone substituent, solution anion identity, and the structure of lipid and co-lipid diluent on the rate and mechanism of liposome contents release.  These outcomes are of great value for controlling the behavior of chemical sensing and drug/analyte delivery systems based on stimuli-responsive liposomes, as well as understanding the characteristics of lipid systems that undergo hemi-fusion and fusion events.

Liposome disassembly and fusion via electron-transfer reactions

246th National Meeting (2013)

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