Self-assembled polypeptide and polypeptide hybrid vesicles: from synthesis to application.

The development of nanoscale drug delivery vehicles is an exciting field due to the ability of these vehicles to improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of existing therapeutics. These vehicles can improve drug effectiveness and safety by providing benefits such as increased blood circulation, targeted delivery, and controlled release. With regard to the building blocks, amphiphilic polypeptide and polypeptide hybrid (i.e., a macromolecule comprised of a polypeptide and another type of polymer) systems have been recently investigated for their abilities to self-assemble into vesicles. Advances in synthesis methodologies have allowed the development and characterization of many different amphiphilic polypeptide and polypeptide hybrid systems. In this review, we will discuss these vesicle-forming materials in terms of their synthesis, processing, and characterization. In addition, current efforts to use them for drug delivery purposes will be discussed.