Bilayer vesicles (BV)

Bilayer vesicles, most commonly known as liposomes, are spherical structures composed of one or more lipid bilayers surrounding an aqueous core. They are not therapeutic targets in the traditional sense, such as receptors or enzymes; rather, they serve as sophisticated drug delivery platforms designed to transport therapeutic agents to specific tissues or cells. By mimicking biological membranes, these vesicles can encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, protecting them from metabolic degradation and reducing off-target toxicities. In clinical practice, bilayer vesicles are utilized to improve the therapeutic index of potent drugs like doxorubicin and amphotericin B. Their properties, including size, charge, and surface modifications (e.g., PEGylation), are engineered to optimize circulation time and cellular uptake.

Other names

LiposomesLipid vesiclesUnilamellar vesiclesMultilamellar vesiclesLipid bilayers

Bilayer vesicles act as delivery vehicles that encapsulate therapeutic agents, protecting them from degradation and enhancing their pharmacokinetic profile by facilitating targeted delivery and reducing systemic toxicity.