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Synthesis and characterization of liposomes encapsulating silver nanoprisms obtained by millifluidic-based production for drug delivery

Synthesis and characterization of liposomes encapsulating silver nanoprisms obtained by millifluidic-based production for drug delivery
Synthesis and characterization of liposomes encapsulating silver nanoprisms obtained by millifluidic-based production for drug delivery

Silver nanoprisms (SNPs) have attracted significant attention due to their surface plasmon resonance behaviour, which is strongly dependent on their size and shape. The enhanced light absorption and scattering capacity of SNPs, make them a promising candidate system for non-invasive imaging and drug delivery in nanoparticle-assisted diagnostics and therapy. However, systemic administration of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at high concentrations may result in toxic side-effects, arising from non-targeted bio-distribution. These drawbacks could be mitigated by employing liposomes as carriers for AgNPs. However, there is a lack of systematic studies on production and subsequent physico-chemical characterisation of liposomal systems encapsulating SNPs. The present study therefore investigated the synthesis of liposomes encapsulating SNPs (Lipo/SNPs) using a continuous-flow millimetre-scale reactor, whereby liposome formation was governed by a solvent exchange mechanism. An aqueous phase and an ethanolic lipid phase were conveyed through two separate inlet channels, and subsequently travelled through a serpentine-shaped channel where mixing between the two phases took place. The synthesis process was optimised by varying both liposome formulation and the operating fluidic parameters, including the ratio between inlet flow rates (or flow rate ratio) and the total flow rate. The obtained Lipo/SNPs were characterised for their size and electrostatic charge, using a dynamic light scattering apparatus. Liposome morphology and encapsulation efficiency of SNPs within liposomes were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging. The synthesised negatively charged Lipo/SNP samples were found to have an average size of ∼150 nm (size dispersity < 0.3). The AgNPs encapsulation efficiency was equal to 77.48%, with mostly single SNPs encapsulated in liposomes. By using a multiangle TEM imaging approach, quasi-3D images were obtained, further confirming the encapsulation of nanoparticles within liposomes. Overall, the formulation and production technique developed in the present study has potential to contribute towards mitigating challenges associated with AgNP-mediated drug delivery and diagnostics.

dynamic light scattering, encapsulation, liposomes, millifluidics, silver nanoparticles, silver nanoprisms, transmission electron microscopy
Yanar, Fatih
528029cd-ac53-433f-9908-92a18cae84e5
Kimpton, Harriet
30c744e7-3f80-4a81-a53c-03f44074a805
Cristaldi, Domenico Andrea
6da2333e-3305-4a8b-996f-e5a844c69cdc
Mosayyebi, Ali
ab9cf6da-58c4-4441-993b-7d03d5d3549a
Carugo, Dario
cf740d40-75f2-4073-9c6e-6fcf649512ca
Zhang, Xunli
d7cf1181-3276-4da1-9150-e212b333abb1
Yanar, Fatih
528029cd-ac53-433f-9908-92a18cae84e5
Kimpton, Harriet
30c744e7-3f80-4a81-a53c-03f44074a805
Cristaldi, Domenico Andrea
6da2333e-3305-4a8b-996f-e5a844c69cdc
Mosayyebi, Ali
ab9cf6da-58c4-4441-993b-7d03d5d3549a
Carugo, Dario
cf740d40-75f2-4073-9c6e-6fcf649512ca
Zhang, Xunli
d7cf1181-3276-4da1-9150-e212b333abb1

Yanar, Fatih, Kimpton, Harriet, Cristaldi, Domenico Andrea, Mosayyebi, Ali, Carugo, Dario and Zhang, Xunli (2023) Synthesis and characterization of liposomes encapsulating silver nanoprisms obtained by millifluidic-based production for drug delivery. Materials Research Express, 10 (8), [085008]. (doi:10.1088/2053-1591/acf192).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Silver nanoprisms (SNPs) have attracted significant attention due to their surface plasmon resonance behaviour, which is strongly dependent on their size and shape. The enhanced light absorption and scattering capacity of SNPs, make them a promising candidate system for non-invasive imaging and drug delivery in nanoparticle-assisted diagnostics and therapy. However, systemic administration of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at high concentrations may result in toxic side-effects, arising from non-targeted bio-distribution. These drawbacks could be mitigated by employing liposomes as carriers for AgNPs. However, there is a lack of systematic studies on production and subsequent physico-chemical characterisation of liposomal systems encapsulating SNPs. The present study therefore investigated the synthesis of liposomes encapsulating SNPs (Lipo/SNPs) using a continuous-flow millimetre-scale reactor, whereby liposome formation was governed by a solvent exchange mechanism. An aqueous phase and an ethanolic lipid phase were conveyed through two separate inlet channels, and subsequently travelled through a serpentine-shaped channel where mixing between the two phases took place. The synthesis process was optimised by varying both liposome formulation and the operating fluidic parameters, including the ratio between inlet flow rates (or flow rate ratio) and the total flow rate. The obtained Lipo/SNPs were characterised for their size and electrostatic charge, using a dynamic light scattering apparatus. Liposome morphology and encapsulation efficiency of SNPs within liposomes were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging. The synthesised negatively charged Lipo/SNP samples were found to have an average size of ∼150 nm (size dispersity < 0.3). The AgNPs encapsulation efficiency was equal to 77.48%, with mostly single SNPs encapsulated in liposomes. By using a multiangle TEM imaging approach, quasi-3D images were obtained, further confirming the encapsulation of nanoparticles within liposomes. Overall, the formulation and production technique developed in the present study has potential to contribute towards mitigating challenges associated with AgNP-mediated drug delivery and diagnostics.

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Yanar_2023_Mater_Res_Express_10.1088_2053-1591_acf192 - Accepted Manuscript
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e-pub ahead of print date: 18 August 2023
Additional Information: Funding Information: This paper was produced from the PhD research of F Y, titled 'Liposomes encapsulating model drugs and silver nanoparticles for illumination based drug release', conducted at Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton. F Y thanks the Turkish Ministry of National Education for funding his PhD scholarship. Funding Information: This paper was produced from the PhD research of F Y, titled 'Liposomes encapsulating model drugs and silver nanoparticles for illumination based drug release', conducted at Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton. F Y thanks the Turkish Ministry of National Education for funding his PhD scholarship. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd
Keywords: dynamic light scattering, encapsulation, liposomes, millifluidics, silver nanoparticles, silver nanoprisms, transmission electron microscopy

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 481294
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/481294
PURE UUID: aac08e10-13a7-410d-9007-b58f9a623e60
ORCID for Harriet Kimpton: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-3219-217X
ORCID for Ali Mosayyebi: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-0901-6546
ORCID for Xunli Zhang: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-4375-1571

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 22 Aug 2023 16:46
Last modified: 07 Dec 2024 02:54

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Contributors

Author: Fatih Yanar
Author: Harriet Kimpton ORCID iD
Author: Ali Mosayyebi ORCID iD
Author: Dario Carugo
Author: Xunli Zhang ORCID iD

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