Direct proof of spontaneous translocation of lipid-covered hydrophobic nanoparticles through a phospholipid bilayer.

ABSTRACT: Hydrophobic nanoparticles introduced into living systems may lead to increased toxicity, can activate immune cells, or can be used as nanocarriers for drug or gene delivery. It is generally accepted that small hydrophobic nanoparticles are blocked by lipid bilayers and accumulate in the bilayer core, whereas big nanoparticles can only penetrate cells through slow energy-dependent processes, such as endocytosis, lasting minutes. In contrast to expectations, we demonstrate that lipid-covered hydrophobic nanoparticles may translocate through lipid membranes by direct penetration within milliseconds. We identified the threshold size for translocation: nanoparticles with diameters smaller than 5 nm stay trapped in the bilayer, whereas those with diameters larger than 5 nm insert into the bilaye

SUBMITTER: Guo Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5099980 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature