Liposomal targeting through peptide-amphiphile functionalization

Peptide-conjugated lipid-like molecules may enhance the efficacy of liposomal drug-carrying assemblies offering the ability to target specific cell-types. Targeted liposomes are formed by partitioning a collagen-mimetic peptide-amphiphile into the bilayer membrane. These self-assemblies are capable of promoting the binding of vesicles to cells with only a small molar fraction of the peptide-amphiphile. Moreover, liposomes including lipids with polyethylene glycol (PEG) head groups of various molecular weights can controllably 'mask' the targeting functionality tuning the residence time.