Cholesterol-mediated anchoring of enzyme-loaded liposomes within disulfide-stabilized polymer carrier capsules

Abstract

Polymer capsules containing multiple liposomes, termed capsosomes, are a promising new concept toward the design of artificial cells. Herein, we report on the fundamental aspects underpinning the assembly of capsosomes. A stable and high loading of intact liposomal cargo into a polymer film was achieved by non-covalently sandwiching the liposomes between a tailor-made cholesterol-modified poly(l-lysine) (PLLc) precursor layer and a poly(methacrylic acid)-co-(cholesteryl methacrylate) (PMAc) capping layer. The film assembly, optimized on planar surfaces, was successfully transferred onto colloidal substrates, and a polymer membrane was subsequently assembled by the alternating adsorption of p..