Figure 2.

Encapsulation of botulinum toxin (BoNT) in the aqueous core of liposomes permits liquid instillation of BoNT instead of cystoscope-guided injection. Following instillation, the liposomes encapsulating BoNT can adhere to the urothelium, whereby liposomes provide high concentration of BoNT at the site of binding for facilitated uptake in the bladder. BoNT slowly leached from adhered liposomes onto the luminal surface of the bladder is endocytosed where it then cleaves to the synaptosomal-associated protein-25 (SNAP-25) protein on membrane to halt the release of chemical mediators such as acetylcholine, and other neurotransmitters from their vesicles.