Development of lysolipid-based thermosensitive liposomes for delivery of high molecular weight proteins.

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the feasibility of using lysolipid-based thermal sensitive liposomes (145nm) for high molecular weight molecule delivery. Fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugate-albumin was used as a model drug (MW 66kDa). Thermal sensitive liposomes, which encapsulated the protein were prepared using a passive encapsulation methodology involving freeze-thawing cycles followed by extrusion. In vitro release studies at various temperatures indicated rapid release behaviour of the encapsulated protein at 42 and 44.5°C but a good stability at 37.5°C. The current findings suggest that lysolipid-based thermal sensitive liposomes can be used to deliver high molecular weight molecules.