title: PAMAM dendrimers and model membranes: differential scanning calorimetry studies.
abstract: Dendrimers attract much attention as potential drug and gene carriers for intracellular delivery. From this point of view, it is crucial to extend our knowledge about their interactions with membranes. The influence of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers on the thermotropic behavior of DPPC multilamellar vesicles and DMPC small unilamellar vesicles was examined by differential scanning calorimetry. We used three types of PAMAM dendrimers to determine how a dendrimer structure determines interactions with liposomes. We show that the strength of interactions depends on both the dendrimers' structure and degree of hydrophobicity. A model for the interaction of each type of dendrimer with liposomes was proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ont., Canada.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Klajnert
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Epand
mesh_terms: D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine / Q000737:chemistry; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D050091:Dendrimers; D004134:Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine / Q000737:chemistry; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011073:Polyamines / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D050091:Dendrimers; D008081:Liposomes; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; C104700:PAMAM Starburst; D011073:Polyamines; D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine; D004134:Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine