Liposome-based mucus-penetrating particles (MPP) for mucosal theranostics: Demonstration of diamagnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer (diaCEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Mucus barriers lining mucosal epithelia reduce the effectiveness of nanocarrier-based mucosal drug delivery and imaging ("theranostics"). Here, we describe liposome-based mucus-penetrating particles (MPP) capable of loading hydrophilic agents, e.g., the diaCEST MRI contrast agent barbituric acid (BA). We observed that polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated liposomes containing ≥. 7. mol% PEG diffused only ~. 10-fold slower in human cervicovaginal mucus (CVM) compared to their theoretical speeds in water. 7. mol%-PEG liposomes contained sufficient BA loading for diaCEST contrast, and provided improved vaginal distribution compared to 0 and 3. mol%-PEG liposomes. However, increasing PEG content to ~. 12. mol% compromised BA loading and vaginal distribution, suggesting that PEG content must be optimized to maintain drug loading and stability. Non-invasive diaCEST MRI illustrated uniform vaginal coverage and longer retention of BA-loaded 7. mol%-PEG liposomes compared to unencapsulated BA. Liposomal MPP with optimized PEG content hold promise for drug delivery and imaging at mucosal surfaces.