Phase-State-Dependent Silica Nanoparticle Uptake of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles

We quantify endocytosis-like nanoparticle (NP) uptake of model membranes as a function of temperature and, therefore, phase state. As model membranes, we use giant unilamellar vesicles (GUV) consisting of 1,2-dipentadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (15:0 PC). Time-series micrographs of the vesicle shrinkage show uptake rates that are a highly nonlinear function of temperature. A global maximum appears close to the main structural phase transition at T = T_m + 3 K = 37 °C and a minor peak at the pretransition T = T_p = 22 °C. The quality of linear fits to the shrinkage, and thus uptake kinetics, reveals a deviation from the linear trend at the vesicle shrinkage peaks. Taking values for the bending modulus as a function of temperature from literature and Helfrich's model allows us to draw qualitative conclusions on the membrane tension and the adhesion of the NP to the membrane as a function of temperature. These findings provide valuable insights into the dynamic interplay between temperature, membrane phase transitions, and NP uptake, shedding light on the complex behavior of biological membranes.