DSPE-Maleimide

Key Properties

• A functional phospholipid consisting of a DSPE lipid backbone and a reactive maleimide head group, typically linked through a short alkyl or PEG spacer.
• Amphiphilic structure: highly hydrophobic saturated stearoyl tails provide stable integration into lipid bilayers, while the maleimide group is exposed on the surface.
• Highly selective toward thiol groups (-SH) on cysteine residues, forming stable covalent thioether bonds via Michael addition under mild, neutral pH conditions.
• Biocompatible, low toxicity, and excellent stability in liposomal and nanoparticle formulations.
• Practically insoluble in water, soluble in chloroform, methanol, ethanol, and DMSO.
• Usually appears as a white to pale yellow waxy solid or powder.
• Sensitive to moisture and hydrolysis; recommended storage at −20 °C under inert atmosphere and protected from light.

Applications

• Surface functionalization of liposomes, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), micelles, and exosomes for targeted drug delivery.
• Covalent conjugation with thiol-containing peptides, antibodies, proteins, aptamers, and targeting ligands.
• Preparation of stabilized and long-circulating drug delivery systems for small molecules, mRNA, DNA, and siRNA.
• Fluorescent or probe labeling of lipid assemblies via thiol-modified dyes or tracers.
• Cell membrane labeling and biomembrane engineering for imaging and biological studies.
• Surface modification of biomaterials, hydrogels, and implants to improve biocompatibility and bioactivity.