Aptamer-based self-assembled supramolecular vesicles for pH-responsive targeted drug delivery

Supramolecular vesicles have received great attention in biomedical application due to their inherent features, including simple synthesis and tunable amphiphilicity of the building blocks. Despite tremendous research efforts, developing supramolecular vesicles with targeted recognition and controlled release remains a major challenge. Herein, we constructed a novel aptamer-based self-assembled supramolecular vesicle by host-guest complexation of pyrene, viologen lipid, and cucurbit[8]urils for pH-responsive and targeted drug delivery. The proposed supramolecular vesicles are easy to be assembled and offer simple drug loading. Based on confocal fluorescence microscopy and cytotoxicity experiments, the drug-loaded supramolecular vesicles were shown to possess highly efficient internalization and apparent cytotoxic effect on target cancer cells, but not control cells. Furthermore, through simple aptamer or drug substitution, supramolecular vesicles can be applied to a variety of target cell lines and drugs, making it widely applicable. Taking advantage of the easy preparation, good stability, rapid pH response, and cell targeting ability, the aptamer-based self-assembled supramolecular vesicles hold great promise in controlled-release biomedical applications and targeted cancer therapy.