Wide varieties of cationic nanoparticles induce defects in supported lipid bilayers

Pascale R. Leroueil, Stephanie A. Berry, Kristen Duthie, Gang Han, Vincent M. Rotello, Daniel Q. McNerny, James R. Baker, Bradford G. Orr, Mark M Banaszak Holl

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Nanoparticles with widely varying physical properties and origins (spherical versus irregular, synthetic versus biological, organic versus inorganic, flexible versus rigid, small versus large) have been previously noted to translocate across the cell plasma membrane. We have employed atomic force microscopy to determine if the physical disruption of lipid membranes, formation of holes and/or thinned regions, is a common mechanism of interaction between these nanoparticles and lipids. It was found that a wide variety of nanoparticles, including a cell penetrating pepide (MSI-78), a protein (TAT), polycationic polymers (PAMAM dendrimers, pentanol-core PAMAM dendrons, polyethyleneimine, and diethylaminoethyl-dextran), and two inorganic particles (Au-NH 2, SiO 2-NH 2), can induce disruption, including the formation of holes, membrane thinning, and/or membrane erosion, in supported lipid bilayers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)420-424
Number of pages5
JournalNano Letters
Volume8
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2008
Externally publishedYes

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