Issue 53, 2016

Role of counter-ion and helper lipid content in the design and properties of nanocarrier systems: a biophysical study in 2D and 3D lipid assemblies

Abstract

There is a direct correlation between the physicochemical properties of nanocarrier systems and their biological performance, including stability under physiological conditions, cellular internalization and transfection efficiency. Therefore, understanding the biophysical aspects that affect self-assembled nanocarriers is determinant for a rational design of efficient formulations. In this study, a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of each component on the molecular organization of aggregates formed by the cationic lipids dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide and chloride (DODAB and DODAC) and the neutral lipid monoolein (MO) was made. Specifically, the effects of the helper lipid content (MO) and the role of the counter-ion of the cationic lipids were evaluated in 2D and 3D assemblies by Langmuir surface pressure–molecular area (π–A) isotherms, Brewster Angle Microscopy (BAM), infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS), confocal Raman microscopy, and Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS). The results show that MO has a different distribution on the DODAC and DODAB bilayers, and a fluidizing effect dependent on the MO content. For low MO molar ratios, the fluidizing effect was more pronounced in DODAC : MO mixtures, indicating a more homogeneous distribution of MO in DODAC than in DODAB bilayers. For high MO molar ratios, packing of membranes was similar for both cationic lipids, and the effect of the counter-ion is attenuated. The distribution of MO in the two cationic systems is closely related with the efficiency of the counter-ions in the screening of the charged group.

Graphical abstract: Role of counter-ion and helper lipid content in the design and properties of nanocarrier systems: a biophysical study in 2D and 3D lipid assemblies

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
29 Cig 2016
Accepted
04 Cax 2016
First published
05 Cax 2016

RSC Adv., 2016,6, 47730-47740

Role of counter-ion and helper lipid content in the design and properties of nanocarrier systems: a biophysical study in 2D and 3D lipid assemblies

A. C. N. Oliveira, S. S. Nogueira, O. Gonçalves, M. F. Cerqueira, P. Alpuim, J. Tovar, C. Rodriguez-Abreu, G. Brezesinski, A. C. Gomes, M. Lúcio and M. E. C. D. R. Oliveira, RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 47730 DOI: 10.1039/C6RA08125H

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements