Anionic Liposomes in Contact with Cationic Chitosan Particles

Abstract

Nanoparticles of ionically cross-linked chitosan have been prepared from the linear polymer with weight-average molecular mass Mw of 30000, 63000, or 300000 and the molar content of primary amino groups of 0.85. Multi-liposomal complexes have been obtained via electrostatic adsorption of anionic liposomes on the surface of cationic chitosan particles. The effect of the chitosan molecular weight on the size of the final complexes and their stability in a water–salt media have been studied. The conditions for the formation of multi-liposomal complexes with size in the range of 250–450 nm have been determined. We have proposed to use linear chitosan with Mw of 30000 and 63000 to obtain multi-liposomal complexes. The size of the resulting constructions allows them to enter cells via the passive transport mechanism through enlarged pores in blood capillaries in inflammatory foci and tumors.