title: Nanoparticle-induced permeability of lipid membranes.
abstract: Monte Carlo simulations using the bond fluctuation method with explicit solvent reveal the mechanism of enhanced permeability of lipid bilayers induced by the adsorption of nanoparticles with controlled hydrophobicity. Simulation results indicate an adsorption transition of nanoparticles on the bilayer in a certain range of relative degree of hydrophobicity. In this range the nanoparticles can translocate through the bilayer, reversibly destabilizing the structure of the bilayer and inducing enhanced permeability for water and small solutes. This transition is broader for amphiphilic nanoparticles.
authors.affiliation: Departament d'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 26 Avenida dels Paisos Catalans, 43007 Tarragona, Spain.
authors.forename: Sergey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pogodin
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: Jens-Uwe
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Sommer
authors.forename: Vladimir A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Baulin
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D053758:Nanoparticles; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water