The possibility of regulating cell signaling with high spatial and temporal resolution within individual cells and complex cellular networks has important implications in biomedicine. In this report, we demonstrate a general strategy that uses near-infrared tissue-penetrating laser pulses to uncage biomolecules from plasmonic gold-coated liposomes, i.e. plasmonic liposomes, to activate cell signaling in a non-thermal, ultrafast and highly controllable fashion. Near-infrared picosecond laser pulse induces transient nanobubbles around plasmonic liposomes. The mechanical force generated from the collapse of nanobubbles rapidly ejects encapsulated compound within 0.1 ms. We showed that single pulse irradiation triggers the rapid intracellular uncaging of calcein from plasmonic liposomes inside endo-lysosomes. The uncaged calcein then evenly distributes over the entire cytosol and nucleus. Furthermore, we demonstrated the ability to trigger calcium signaling in both an immortalized cell line and primary dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons by intracellular uncaging of inositol triphosphate (IP3), an endogenous cell calcium signaling second messenger. Compared with other uncaging techniques, this ultrafast near-infrared light-driven molecular uncaging method is easily adaptable to deliver a wide range of bioactive molecules with an ultrafast optical switch, enabling new possibilities to investigate signaling pathways within individual cells and cellular networks.

ATDDS can improve oral absorption of proteins and peptides. However, currently, no clinical studies on ATDDS for proteins and peptides are underway, perhaps due to the complexity and limited knowledge of transport mechanisms. Therefore, more research is warranted to optimize ATDDS efficiency.

The application of lipid-based drug delivery systems on the industrial scale has successfully demonstrated their therapeutic and manufacturing advantages. Recently, various lipid-based formulations were successfully prepared for oral delivery of compounds that are difficult to administer. Nevertheless, an improved understanding of how these formulations affect drug absorption and metabolism is required to support the rapid and successful completion of drug development programs. In this review, we report the detailed mechanisms whereby lipids and lipid-based excipients affect drug absorption and metabolism, and summarize the capacity of lipids and lipid-based formulations to improve drug absorption by improving drug solubility, mucosa penetration, lymphatic transport, and hepatic metabolism. Finally, we discuss the progress made toward the use of novel lipid formulations to enhance oral absorption by surmounting specific absorption barriers.