On demand vesicle formation from vesicle precursors suitable for long-term storage

Abstract

Disclosed is a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) double emulsion including a first water phase, an oil phase and a second water phase, wherein the W/O/W double emulsion is disposed in an isotonic solution, and related methods of making the W/O/W double emulsion. Also disclosed is a method of making an artificial antigen presenting cell including: providing a W/O/W double emulsion that is stored in an isotonic solution, wherein the W/O/W double emulsion includes a peptide associated with a Major Histocompatibility (pMHC) complex or a glycolipid antigen associated with a CD1d molecule, and a costimulatory molecule; and transferring the W/O/W double emulsion to an electrolyte solution, wherein the double emulsion undergoes a morphological transformation to become the artificial antigen presenting cell. Also disclosed is a method of drug delivery including administering to a subject a unilamellar vesicle containing the drug. Other methods relate to storing a protein including making a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) double emulsion, wherein the W/O/W double emulsion includes the protein, and wherein the W/O/W double emulsion is configured to be stably stored.