Interaction of pH-sensitive non-phospholipid liposomes with cellular mimetic membranes

Abstract

Surfactant nanocarriers have received considerable attention in the last several years as interesting alternative to classic liposomes. Different pH-sensitive vesicular colloidal carriers based on Tween 20 derivatives, obtained after functionalization of the head groups of the surfactant with natural, or simply modified, amino acids, were proposed as drug nanocarriers. Dynamic light scattering, Small Angle X-ray Scattering, Trasmission Electron Microscopy and fluorescence studies were used for the physico-chemical characterization of vesicles and mean size, size distribution, zeta potential, vesicle morphology and bilayer properties were evaluated. The pH-sensitivity and the stability of formulations, in absence and in presence of foetal bovine serum, were also evaluated. Moreover, the contact between surfactant vesicles and liposomes designed to model the cellular membrane was investigated by fluorescence studies to preliminary explore the potential interaction between vesicle and cell membranes. Experimental findings showed that physico-chemical and technological features of pH-sensitive vesicles were influenced by the composition of the carriers. Furthermore, proposed carriers are able to interact with mimetic cell membrane and it is reasonable to attribute the observed differences in interaction to the architectural/structural properties of Tween 20 derivatives. The findings reported in this investigation showed that a deep and extensive physico-chemical characterization of the carrier is a fundamental step, according to the evidence that the knowledge of nanocarrier properties is necessary to translate its potentiality to in vitro/in vivo applications.

Acronychiabaueri Analogue Derivative-Loaded Ultradeformable Vesicles: Physicochemical Characterization and Potential Applications

“…The GOFA did not affect the ΔBS profile of ultradeformable liposomes, thus suggesting its entrapment in the lipid bilayer, as previously reported for linoleic acid-loaded transfersomes [28]. The simultaneous presence of sodium cholate derivatives and GOFA in the lipid bilayer did not seem to modify the bilayer structure and change the intra-chain and inter-chain order of hydrophobic components [38].…”

Detection and Physicochemical Characterization of Membrane Vesicles (MVs) of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938

“…The average size, size distribution and zeta (Z)-potential of pMVs and bMVs were performed by using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis as previously reported (Celia et al, 2013; Marianecci et al, 2013). Briefly, pMVs and bMVs were firstly filtered through 0.22 μm cellulose filter membrane, and further analyzed using a Zetasizer Nano ZS with a 4.5 mW laser diode, operating at 670 nm as a light source, and the scattered photons detected at 173°.…”

Magnetic force microscopy

“…Unilamellar vesicles were prepared according to the ‘film’ method previously described 92 , 93 . Tw20 concentration in the sample was always above its CMC (in water at 25 °C: Tween 20 = 0.006 g/dL).…”