1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (ammonium salt)
DSPE-PEG2000 is a synthetic PEGylated lipid derivative of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine. DSPE-PEG2000 has been found to display a better anchoring ability than short-chain PEG lipids in membranes and thereby increase LNP circulation time. PEG-modified lipids are typically added to phospholipid vesicles used for drug delivery to provide a steric coating on the surface of the membrane to hinder clearing of the particles by the reticuloendothelial system (RES). This prolongs the circulating plasma half-life of the drug. The plasma half-life of the drug can be "tuned" from several hours to days depending on the size of the PEG and fatty acids attached to the lipid anchor.
Functions include:
- Increased half life when administered systemically
- Aids in storage ability
- Helps obtain small particle sizes.