Membrane-Nanoparticle Interactions: The Impact of Membrane Lipids

The growing field of nanotechnology presents opportunity for applications across many sectors. Nanostructures, such as nanoparticles, hold distinct properties based on their size, shape, and chemical modifications that allow them to be utilized in both highly specific as well as broad capacities. As the classification of nanoparticles becomes more well-defined and the list of applications grows, it is imperative that their toxicity be investigated. One such cellular system that is of importance are cellular membranes (biomembranes). Membranes present one of the first points of contact for nanoparticles at the cellular level. This review will address current studies aimed at defining the biomolecular interactions of nanoparticles at the level of the cell membrane, with a specific focus of the interactions of nanoparticles with prominent lipid systems. Nanoparticle interactions with biological membranes are discussed with a focus on the role of and effects on lipids and membranes and the degree to which nanoparticle properties alter these interactions. Model membranes are used to mimic complex systems, but results need to be validated by in vivo research. The combined use of multiple methods provides the most promising outcome. image