Beyond the lipid-bilayer: interaction of polymers and nanoparticles with membranes

Abstract

Membranes can be fabricated either from lipid or polymer molecules, leading to the formation of liposomes or polymersomes. In all types of liposomal membranes, the issue of phase separation plays a central role not only in the membrane-formation itself, but also in the resulting structural features taking place within or at the surface of such membranes. When nanoparticles or polymers interact with lipid membranes, the final morphology is strongly determined by the charge, composition and size of the interacting components, which in turn induce phase separation processes. The present review assembles investigations on lipid/polymer/nanoparticle interaction with the main focus directed towards model membrane systems published in the recent literature starting from $2005, providing a deeper and more thorough understanding of these complex interactions and their effects on membrane properties.

A Virus-Mimicking, Endosomolytic Liposomal System for Efficient, pH-Triggered Intracellular Drug Delivery

“…32 The higher polymer hydrophobicity, the tighter membrane association can be obtained. This is consistent with our recent report that the main driving force for the association of PP75 with the 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) monolayer model membrane is the hydrophobic interaction.…”

Nanoparticle–membrane interactions

“…In particular transmission, scanning and cryogenic transmission electron microscopies (TEM, SEM and Cryo-TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and fluorescence microscopy are in routine use [94][95][96][97]. Depending on the NP material, size and charge, these techniques allow us to directly investigate different mechanisms of interaction (eg absorption or permeation) by locating the NP position with respect to the membrane and to directly observe the consequences for the membrane, such as changes in permeability or its complete disruption [98].…”

The effect of the protein corona on the interaction between nanoparticles and lipid bilayers

“…6 It has been shown that non-specific interactions with the NPs can alter SLB structure and elasticity. 5 NPs can adhere to the lipid bilayer and cause changes in the lipid phase, 7 induce formation of lipid domains [8][9] or pores and extract lipids 10 inducing lipid bilayer disruption. [11][12] Physical chemical properties of NPs, 5,13 such as size, 4,11,[14][15] charge 12,16 and surface chemistry [17][18][19][20] are the main factors modulating NP-membrane interactions.…”