Folate Liposomes

Online Inquiry

BOC Sciences is committed to providing high quality and downstream affixation performance of molecularly modified liposomes of folic acid, called folate liposomes. In the context of liposomes as carriers, folate is used as a targeting ligand to promote selective binding and uptake of liposomes by cells overexpressing folate receptors. BOC Sciences' folic acid liposomes have a wide range of applications in facilitating drug delivery and internalization as well as cancer therapy.

What are Folate Liposomes?

What is Folate?

Folate, also known as vitamin B9 and folacin, is one of the B vitamins. The human body needs folic acid to make DNA and RNA as well as amino acids needed to maintain normal cellular life activities such as cell metabolism, division, etc. The body cannot produce folic acid. However, the body cannot produce folic acid, making it an essential nutrient, and it occurs naturally in many foods.

Figure 1. Chemical structure of the folate family.

What are Folate Receptors?

The folate receptor (FR) is a glycoprotein (~40 kDa) that is overexpressed in cancer cells in vivo and is involved in folate uptake through a binding mechanism. There are two subtypes of this receptor; FR-α is found in ovarian, brain, and renal cancer cells, as well as on a few normal epithelial cell membranes (kidney). FR-β, on the other hand, is found primarily in macrophages and is therefore an ideal receptor for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis using folate-conjugated nanoparticles containing therapeutic agents.

Figure 2. Folic acid receptor mediated delivery of nanoparticles into a cancerous cell. (I, Nallamuthu.; et al.)

The Overview of Folate Liposomes

Liposomes are non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable, providing strategies for drug encapsulation and controlled release for site-specific drug delivery. Folic acid liposomes can be synthesized by using the carboxyl group of folic acid to react with complementary reactive groups of lipids, cholesterol and proteins. When drug-loaded liposomes have been delivered to folate receptor overexpressing tumors, where they bind to the folate receptor (FR.) The FR is located on the outside of the cell membrane, and upon binding, the membrane surrounding the liposome/FR complex immediately begins to invaginate in order to form a distinctive internal vesicle (early endosomes) within the cell. Upon acidification of the vesicle lumen (~pH 5), the FR changes conformation to release folate conjugates. Ultimately, the liposomal component, the encapsulated therapeutic agent, and the folic acid all successfully enter the cancer cell.

Figure 3. Schematic representation of the preparation of folate liposomes and targeted delivery of therapeutics via folate receptor-mediated endocytosis. (P, Kumar.; et al, 2019)

Applications of Folate Liposomes

Targeted Drug Delivery: Folate liposomes can be loaded with therapeutic agents and used for folate ligand functionalization with high selectivity and specificity for folate receptors on the surface of cancer cells. This selective uptake improves delivery efficiency while minimizing side effects.

Bioimaging: Folate liposomes can be loaded with probes or contrast agents for molecular imaging, enabling the tracing of specific cells or tissues.

Developing Cancer Therapeutics: Based on folate's efficient ability to specifically target cancer cells, it is an ideal transport vehicle for cancer drug development. It has been widely used for selective delivery of chemotherapeutic agents or other anti-cancer drugs.

BOC Sciences' Advantages in Providing Folate Liposomes

BOC Sciences' folate liposomes have the essential properties of liposomes such as good biocompatibility and stability, allowing for a wide range of custom modifications and rationalization.
BOC Sciences has GMP-grade liposome manufacturing capabilities, ensuring the availability of high-purity folate liposomes to assist in your project research.
BOC Sciences offers the most competitive price to our colleagues to ensure the quality.
BOC Sciences offers large scale liposome manufacturing services to ensure turnaround time and quick delivery of desired products.

For more custom services about our folate liposomes, please feel free to contact us.

References

I, Nallamuthu.; et al. Enhanced nutrient delivery through nanoencapsulation techniques: the current trend in food industry. Nutrient Delivery. 2017.
P, Kumar.; et al. Formulation Strategies for Folate-Targeted Liposomes and Their Biomedical Applications. Pharmaceutics. 2019, 11(8): 381.