Comparison of Linear and Hyperbranched Polyether Lipids for Liposome Shielding by ¹⁸F‑Radiolabeling and Positron Emission Tomography

Multifunctional and highly biocompatible polyether structures play a key role in shielding liposomes from degradation in the bloodstream, providing also multiple functional groups for further attachment of targeting moieties. In this work hyperbranched polyglycerol (<i>hb</i>PG) bearing lipids with long alkyl chain anchor are evaluated with respect to steric stabilization of liposomes. The branched polyether lipids possess a hydrophobic bis­(hexadecyl)­glycerol membrane anchor for the liposomal membrane. <i>hb</i>PG was chosen as a multifunctional alternative to PEG, enabling the eventual linkage of multiple targeting vectors. Different <i>hb</i>PG lipids (<i>M</i>_n = 2900 and 5200 g mol^–1) were examined. A linear bis­(hexadecyl)­glycerol-PEG lipid (<i>M</i>_n = 3000 g mol^–1) was investigated as well, comparing <i>hb</i>PG and PEG with respect to shielding properties. Radiolabeling of the polymers was carried out using 1-azido-2-(2-(2-[¹⁸F]­fluoroethoxy)­ethoxy)­ethane ([¹⁸F]­F-TEG-N)₃ via copper-catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition with excellent radiochemical yields exceeding 95%. Liposomes were prepared by the thin-film hydration method followed by repeated extrusion. Use of a custom automatic extrusion device gave access to reproducible sizes of the liposomes (hydrodynamic radius of 60–94 nm). The in vivo fate of the bis­(hexadecyl)­glycerol polyethers and their corresponding assembled liposome structures were evaluated via noninvasive small animal positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and biodistribution studies (1 h after injection and 4 h after injection) in mice. Whereas the main uptake of the nonliposomal polyether lipids was observed in the kidneys and in the bladder after 1 h due to rapid renal clearance, in contrast, the corresponding liposomes showed uptake in the blood pool as well as in organs with good blood supply, that is, heart and lung over the whole observation period of 4 h. The in vivo behavior of all three liposomal formulations was comparable, albeit with remarkable differences in splenic uptake. Overall, liposomes shielded by the branched polyglycerol lipids show a favorable biodistribution with greatly prolonged blood circulation times, rendering them promising novel nanovesicles for drug transport and targeting