Self-Assembled Nanostructured Lipid Systems: Is There a Link between Structure and Cytotoxicity?

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Lipid-based liquid crystalline (LLC) nanoparticles self-assemble based on lipid properties and molecular packing.
• Advancements in lipid chemistry and understanding of membrane curvature enable diverse LLC nanoparticle designs.
• Despite therapeutic promise, the systemic biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of LLC materials are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of LLC nanoparticle interactions with biological components.
• To elucidate factors influencing cell-nanoparticle tolerability.
• To review mechanisms of cellular uptake and lipid transfer.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on LLC nanoparticle-biological component interactions.
• Analysis of factors affecting nanoparticle tolerability: lipid type, stabilizers, surface charge, internal nanostructures.
• Examination of cellular uptake and lipid transfer mechanisms.

Main Results:

• LLC nanoparticle interactions vary based on internal nanostructures and lipid phase behaviors.
• Lipid type, steric stabilizers, surface charge, and internal nanostructures significantly impact cell tolerability.
• Mechanisms of cellular uptake and lipid transfer between cell membranes were reviewed.

Conclusions:

• Further research into LLC nanoparticle-biological interactions is crucial for therapeutic development.
• Understanding these interactions will guide the design of safer and more effective LLC-based therapeutics.
• Strategies are needed to translate LLC materials into viable entities for internal biomedical applications.