Liposomes composed of a double-chain cationic amphiphile (vectamidine) induce their own encapsulation into human erythrocytes.

Vectamidine is a liposome-forming double-chain cationic amphiphile. The present work was aimed to microscopically study the interactions of Vectamidine liposomes with the human erythrocyte plasma membrane. Vectamidine rapidly induced stomatocytic shapes. Attachment of Vectamidine liposomes to the erythrocyte induced a strong local invagination of the membrane. This frequently resulted in a complete encapsulation of the liposome. Liposomes composed of phosphatidylcholine (neutral) or phosphatidylserine/phosphatidylcholine (anionic) did not perturb the erythrocyte shape. Our results indicate that besides an attraction of Vectamidine liposomes to the plasma membrane, there is a preference of Vectamidine for the inner bilayer leaflet. We suggest that cationic amphiphiles may transfer from membrane-attached liposomes to the plasma membrane and then translocate to the inner bilayer leaflet where they induce a strong local inward bending of the plasma membrane resulting in an encapsulation of the liposome.