Poly(ethylene glycol)-mediated Steric Stabilization of Complexes Formed between Negatively Charged Liposomes and Folate-conjugated Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimers in Water

In order to develop a new supramolecular complex for use as an active drug carrier, we prepared complexes of an anionic liposome comprising poly(ethylene glycol) (PEGn=50) monooleyl ether with folate-conjugated poly(amidoamine) dendrimers (FA-PAMAM). Regardless of the ratio of FA-PAMAM to liposome, the complexes were stably dispersed in water. These results suggest that the PEG chains play an important role in the dispersion stability of the supra-complexes, preventing the complexes from aggregating.