Abstract
The fast-growing production and utilization of nanomaterials in diverse applications will undoubtedly lead to the release of these materials into the environment. As nanomaterials enter the environment, determining their interaction with biological systems is a key aspect to understanding their impact on environmental health and safety. It has been shown that engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) can interact with cell membranes by adhering onto their surface and compromising their integrity, permeability, and function. The interfacial and biophysical forces that drive these processes can be examined using lipid monolayers or bilayers as model cell membranes. Interfacial interactions between NPs and cell membranes have been proven to be affected by various parameters such as the physicochemical properties of the NPs, cell membrane composition, and the extent of exposure. This study focuses on the effects of NP charge, surface functional groups and interfacial activity on the response of lipid monolayers. Dynamic surface pressure measurements were used to examine the kinetics of nanoparticle adsorption and the monolayer response. Fluorescence and real-time in situ Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) imaging were employed to characterize the morphology and structure of the monolayers. Bulk concentrations of NP and phosphorus were examined to determine the extent of NP binding and lipid extraction. The results of this study will contribute to further understanding of the membrane’s role in ENP cytotoxicity and cellular uptake and aid the design of biocompatible nanomaterials with minimal or controlled membrane activity.
Highlights
The production and utilization of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in technology and medicine is constantly expanding;1 there are still many uncertainties associated with the potential risks that they pose to environmental health and safety (EHS).2,3 Fundamental studies that assess the hazard of ENPs are necessary in order to promote safe use and limit risks, and to guide the design of environmentally and biologically compatible materials.4Due to their high specific surface area and nanoscale size (
Previous studies have shown that nanoparticles interact with model membrane bilayer and monolayers, and our work indicates that many of the interactions mechanisms reported for single lipids are conserved in PC/PG lipid mixtures
Anionic Ag-COOH nanoparticles penetrate into monolayers via hydrophobic interactions and bind to zwitterionic lipids and cause condensation, but the presence of an anionic lipid appears to lessen this interaction via electrostatic repulsion when compared to previous work using sized gold nanoparticles
Summary
The production and utilization of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in technology and medicine is constantly expanding; there are still many uncertainties associated with the potential risks that they pose to environmental health and safety (EHS). Fundamental studies that assess the hazard of ENPs are necessary in order to promote safe use and limit risks, and to guide the design of environmentally and biologically compatible materials.4Due to their high specific surface area and nanoscale size (
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