| abstract |
The present invention provides for the development of endocytosis-sensitive probes, and a remote method for measuring cellular endocytosis. These probes are based on the reduced water permeability of a nanoparticle or liposomal delivery system, and inherent degradability or disruption of barrier integrity upon endocytosis. The invention also provides for liposomes having combined therapeutic and diagnostic utilities by co-encapsulating ionically coupled diagnostic and therapeutic agents, in one embodiment, by a method using anionic chelators to prepare electrochemical gradients for loading of amphipathic therapeutic bases into liposomes already encapsulating an imaging agent. The invention provides for imaging of therapeutic liposomes by inserting a lipopolymer anchored, remotely sensing reporter molecules into liposomal lipid layer. The invention allows for an integrated delivery system capable of imaging molecular fingerprints in diseased tissues, treatment, and treatment monitoring. |