Preparative size exclusion chromatography combined with detergent removal as a versatile tool to prepare unilamellar and spherical liposomes of highly uniform size distribution

J Chromatogr A. 2009 Jul 31;1216(31):5838-48. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2009.06.023. Epub 2009 Jun 10.

Abstract

Detergent removal from mixed micelles was combined with preparative size exclusion chromatography (SEC) on Sephacryl S 500 HR to prepare unilamellar and spherical liposomes of defined sizes between 50 and 100 nm with a very narrow size distribution (RSD of vesicle diameter between 13% and 25%). For neutral phosphatidylcholine and negatively charged phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylglycerol liposome preparations, efficient sizing at the preparative scale was demonstrated by analyzing isolated SEC peak fractions with cryo-transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The number-weighted average vesicle diameters obtained using both methods are in very good agreement for fractions of low polydispersity.

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, Gel / methods*
  • Detergents / chemistry*
  • Dialysis
  • Glucosides / chemistry
  • Light
  • Liposomes / chemical synthesis*
  • Liposomes / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Particle Size
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Sodium Cholate / chemistry
  • Unilamellar Liposomes / chemical synthesis*
  • Unilamellar Liposomes / chemistry

Substances

  • Detergents
  • Glucosides
  • Liposomes
  • Unilamellar Liposomes
  • octyl-beta-D-glucoside
  • Sodium Cholate