Emulsomes meet s-layer proteins: An emerging targeted drug delivery system

WOS: 000349958000011PubMed ID: 25697368Here, the use of emulsomes as a drug delivery system is reviewed and compared with other similar lipidic nanoformulations. In particular, we look at surface modification of emulsomes using S-layer proteins, which are self-assembling proteins that cover the surface of many prokaryotic organisms. It has been shown that covering emulsomes with a crystalline S-layer lattice can protect cells from oxidative stress and membrane damage. In the future, the capability to recrystallize S-layer fusion proteins on lipidic nanoformulations may allow the presentation of binding functions or homing protein domains to achieve highly specific targeted delivery of drug-loaded emulsomes. Besides the discussion on several designs and advantages of composite emulsomes, the success of emulsomes for the delivery of drugs to fight against viral and fungal infections, dermal therapy, cancer, and autoimmunity is summarized. Further research might lead to smart, biocompatible emulsomes, which are able to protect and reduce the side effects caused by the drug, but at the same time are equipped with specific targeting molecules to find the desired site of action.Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) [FA9550-09-0342, FA9550-10-1-0223]; Austrian Science Fund (FWF) [P20256-B11]The work was supported by Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), Agreement Award Nr.: FA9550-09-0342 and Agreement Award Nr.: FA9550-10-1-0223, and the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), project P20256-B11. The authors wish to thank Dr. Gary Dorken from Institute for Biologically Inspired Materials (Department of Nanobio-technology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Vienna) for assistance in the proof-reading of the manuscript