Interactions of Lipidic Cubic Phase Nanoparticles with Lipid Membranes

Abstract

The interactions of liquid-crystalline monoolein (GMO) cubic phase nanoparticles with various model lipid membranes spread at the air-solution interface by the Langmuir technique were investigated. Cubosomes have attracted attention as potential biocompatible drug delivery systems, and thus understanding their mode of interaction with membranes is of special interest. Cubosomes spreading at the air-water interface as well as interactions with a monolayer of 1, 2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) compressed to different surface pressures were studied by monitoring surface pressure-time dependencies at constant area. Progressive incorporation of the nanoparticles was shown to lead to mixed monolayer formation. The concentration of cubosomes influenced the mechanism of incorporation, as well as the fluidity and permeability of the resulting lipid membranes. Brewster angle microscopy images reflected the dependence of the monolayer structure on the cubosomes presence in the subphase. A parameter Csat was introduced to indicate the point of saturation of the lipid membrane with the cubosomal material. This parameter was found to depend on the surface pressure showing that the cubosomes disintegrate in prolonged contact with the membrane, filling available voids in the lipid membrane. At highest surface pressures when the layer is most compact, the penetration of cubosomal material is not possible and only some exchange with the membrane lipid becomes the route of including GMO into the layer. Finally, comparative studies of the interactions between lipids with various headgroup charges with cubosomes suggest that at high surface pressure an exchange of lipid component between the monolayer and the cubosome in its intact form may occur.

Fusion dynamics of cubosome nanocarriers with model cell membranes

“…Namely, the incorporation was hindered in more organised layers, and enhanced in porous layers. 36 Parallel results were demonstrated for phytantriol (Phy) cubosomes on 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) bilayers. The results showed an accumulation/exchange of materials up to 82% cubic phase material in the bilayer.…”

pH Responsiveness of Hexosomes and Cubosomes for Combined Delivery of Brucea javanica Oil and Doxorubicin

“…The interaction with the lipid film interface was enhanced at acidic pH, which causes a switch to cubosomes structures. [61][62][63][64] Based on the above, it can be concluded that the interfacial interaction between the DOX-BJO-LCNPs with the model lipid membranes appears to be stronger for the case of the cubic phase (cubosome) nanocarriers at pH 6.8. Considering the established pH sensitivity of the liquid crystalline carriers and the pH-induced structural transformations, it can be expected that the interactions of the DOX-BJO-LCNPs with the cancer cells will be more pronounced under acidic pH conditions (corresponding to the pH of simulated tumor microenvironment).…”

Characterization of Monoolein Langmuir Monolayers Spread at The Salt Solution/Air Interface

“…Other salts' compression isotherm plots are shown in Figure 4 [37][38][39]. The information provided by the -A isotherm, the elasticity modulus, was determined to be evaluated in more detail as follows.…”

“…Many researchers conduct the elasticity modulus recognition based on Eq. 1 for the selection of parameters based on the physical state of the lipid monolayer, in their extension analysis toward the Langmuir isotherm [37][38][39]. The information provided by the -A isotherm, the elasticity modulus, was determined to be evaluated in more detail as follows.…”