Liposomes formed from photo-cleavable phospholipids: formation and photo-induced enhancement in permeability.

Photocleavable liposomes were formed through the coupling of an -nitrobenzyl-containing azide tail precursor and an alkyne-functionalized lysolipid by the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction. Inclusion of the photolabile -nitrobenzyl-structure enables control over the permeability and morphology of the liposomes. Photolysis of the -nitrobenzyl group changes the molecular structure of the photolabile phospholipids, inducing phase transitions and permeability increases in the bilayer membrane, ultimately disrupting the liposome entity.