| abstract |
Mitochondriotropic phospholipid vesicles, i.e., mitochondriotropic liposomes, that comprise a hydrophobized amphiphilic delocalized cation, such as those comprising, e.g., a triphenylphosphonium or a guinolinium moiety, incorporated into the phospholipid membrane of the vesicles, or liposomes, are disclosed. The hydrophobized portion of the amphiphilic delocalized cation, e.g., a fatty acid or other phospholipid derivative, is embedded in the phospholipid membrane of the liposome, and the amphiphilic portion of the cation is exposed on the surface of the liposome. Mitochondriotropic liposomes constitute a mitochondria-targeted drug delivery system, permitting the transport of a high payload of therapeutic water-soluble molecules in their native (i.e., active) state specifically and exclusively to mitochondria in living mammalian cells. |