Enhanced intra-liposomal metallic nanoparticle payload capacity using microfluidics assisted self-assembly

Al-Ahmady, ZS ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7681-3735, Donno, R, Gennari, A, Prestat, E, Marotta, R, Mironov, A, Newman, L, Lawrence, J, Tirelli, N, Ashford, MB and Kostarelos, K, 2019. Enhanced intra-liposomal metallic nanoparticle payload capacity using microfluidics assisted self-assembly. Langmuir, 35 (41), pp. 13318-13331. ISSN 0743-7463

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Abstract

Hybrids composed of liposomes (L) and metallic nanoparticles (NP) hold great potential for imaging and drug delivery purposes. However, the efficient incorporation of metallic nanoparticles into liposomes using conventional methodologies has so far proved to be challenging. In this study, we report the fabrication of hybrids of liposomes and hydrophobic gold nanoparticles of size 2-4 nm (Au) using a microfluidic assisted self-assembly process. The incorporation of increasing amounts of Au nanoparticles into liposomes was examined using microfluidics and compared to L-AuNP hybrids prepared by the reverse-phase evaporation method. Our microfluidics strategy produced L-AuNP hybrids with a homogeneous size distribution, smaller polydispersity index, and a 3-fold increase in loading efficiency when compared to those hybrids prepared using the reverse-phase method of production. Quantification of the loading efficiency was determined by ultraviolet spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy and centrifugal field flow fractionation and confirmed qualitatively by transmission electron microscopy. The higher loading of gold nanoparticles into the liposomes achieved using microfluidics produced a slightly thicker and more rigid bilayer as determined with small angle neutron scattering. These observations were confirmed using fluorescent anisotropy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. Structural characterization of the liposomal-nanoparticle hybrids with cryo-electron microscopy revealed the co-existence of membrane-embedded and interdigitated nanoparticle-rich domains suggesting AuNP incorporation through hydrophobic interactions. The microfluidic technique that we describe in this study allows for the automated production of monodisperse liposomal-nanoparticle hybrids with high loading capacity highlighting the utility of microfluidics to improve the payload of metallic nanoparticles within liposomes, thereby enhancing their application for imaging and drug delivery.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Langmuir
Creators:	Al-Ahmady, Z.S., Donno, R., Gennari, A., Prestat, E., Marotta, R., Mironov, A., Newman, L., Lawrence, J., Tirelli, N., Ashford, M.B. and Kostarelos, K.
Publisher:	American Chemical Society
Date:	15 October 2019
Volume:	35
Number:	41
ISSN:	0743-7463
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b00579 DOI 1120573 Other
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	Jonathan Gallacher
Date Added:	01 Oct 2019 08:06
Last Modified:	22 Jul 2021 09:42
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/37886

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