Nanoparticles from lipid-based liquid crystals: emulsifier influence on morphology and cytotoxicity.
Here, monoolein-based nanoparticles (NPs), obtained through fragmentation of bulk liquid crystalline phases, and stabilized by two different emulsifiers, namely, Pluronic F127 (PF127) and lauroylcholine chloride (LCh), are investigated for structural features and for short-term in vitro cytotoxicity. Depending on the emulsifiers, different morphologies of the lipid NPs (cubosomes and liposomes) are obtained, as demonstrated by cryo-TEM images. Although NPs offer many advantages in medical applications and various chemicals used for their preparation are under investigation, so far there are no standardized procedures to evaluate cell biocompatibility. Two different protocols to evaluate the impact of these lipid NPs on biological systems are presented. Results show that nanoparticles stabilized by PF127 (cubosomes) display a relevant toxicity toward different cell lines, whereas those stabilized by LCh (liposomes) affect cell viability at a much lesser extent.
Murgia
Sergio
S
Department of Chemical Science, Cagliari University, CNBS and CSGI, ss 554, bivio Sestu, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy.
Falchi
Angela M
AM
Mano
Miguel
M
Lampis
Sandrina
S
Angius
Rossella
R
Carnerup
Anna M
AM
Schmidt
Judith
J
Diaz
Giacomo
G
Giacca
Mauro
M
Talmon
Yeshayahu
Y
Monduzzi
Maura
M
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D045703:Emulsifying Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D050866:Liquid Crystals / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020442:Poloxamer / Q000737:chemistry
D045703:Emulsifying Agents; D008055:Lipids; D020442:Poloxamer