Phospholipid Bilayers: Stability and Encapsulation of Nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanoparticles are widely studied for their potential medical uses in diagnostics and therapeutics. The interface between a nanoparticle and its target has been a focus of research, both to guide the nanoparticle and to prevent it from deactivating. Given nature's frequent use of phospholipid vesicles as carriers, much attention has been paid to phospholipids as a vehicle for drug delivery. The physical chemistry of bilayer formation and nanoparticle encapsulation is complex, touching on fundamental properties of hydrophobicity. Understanding the design rules for particle synthesis and encapsulation is an active area of research. The aim of this review is to provide a perspective on what preparative guideposts have been empirically discovered and how these are related to theoretical understanding. In addition, we aim to summarize how modern theory is beginning to help guide the design of functional particles that can effectively cross biological membranes.

Nano-bio interactions as characterized by SERS: The interaction of liposomes with gold nanostructures is highly dependent on lipid composition and charge

“…Third, nanoparticles can be wrapped by lipid molecules, which behave similarly to surfactants. The interactions between lipid membranes and colloidal particles depend on many factors, e.g., the surface charge of particles and liposomes, the size of the vesicles and particles, membrane composition, and surface composition of the particles [187]. Many theoretical studies described the interaction between colloidal particles and lipid membranes.…”

Extraction of Membrane Components from Neisseria gonorrhoeae Using Catanionic Surfactant Vesicles: A New Approach for the Study of Bacterial Surface Molecules

“…Third, liposomal preparations prepared by sonication or membrane extrusion are heterogeneous in size, ranging from 300 nm to 20 microns [22], and production of homogeneously sized liposomes requires some form of post-formation processing [23]. Finally, unless further modified, liposomal formulations are unstable in biological media due to pH and ionic strength issues and are thermodynamically unstable with regard to morphology, precluding long-term storage of liposome suspensions [24]. Accordingly, most liposomal preparations require either reconstitution immediately prior to use or addition of additional components to the formulation mixture to stabilize the liposome in the vesicle morphology.…”

Codelivery of Emodin and Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate by Anti-alpha8 Integrin-Conjugated Immunoliposomes for the Treatment of Renal Fibrosis

“…Many studies have proved that nanoparticles stability not only depends on the repulsive electrostatic double layer (zeta potential value) but also is closely related to the van der Waals and structural forces (surface functionalization) [40][41][42]. Surface functionalization can reduce the probability of nanostructure aggrega-tion, prevent the nonspecific adsorption, and increase the steric stability of liposomes [42][43][44]. For instance, Smith et al found that PEG modification greatly improved the stability of DOTAP liposomes and DOP liposomes [45].…”