Cellular and nanoparticle lipid membranes

Cellular and nanoparticle lipid membranes are supramolecular assemblies of amphiphilic lipids that form the structural basis of biological cells and synthetic drug delivery vehicles (Escribá et al., 2008). Cellular membranes, including the plasma membrane and organelle envelopes, serve as selective barriers that regulate molecular transport and host essential proteins for signal transduction and cell-cell communication (Alberts et al., 2002). Nanoparticle lipid membranes, including those found in liposomes and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), are engineered to encapsulate therapeutic agents, protecting them from systemic degradation and facilitating their delivery to target tissues (Hou et al., 2021). These membranes are increasingly recognized as therapeutic targets; for instance, antimicrobial peptides like daptomycin and certain antifungal agents like amphotericin B act by directly disrupting the integrity of pathogen membranes (Mahlapuu et al., 2016). Furthermore, Membrane Lipid Therapy (MLT) focuses on modulating the biophysical properties and lipid composition of host cell membranes to treat conditions such as cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases (Escribá et al., 2015). The interaction between nanoparticle and cellular membranes, often involving fusion or endocytosis, is a critical determinant of the efficacy and safety of modern nanomedicines, including mRNA vaccines and liposomal chemotherapeutics (Sahay et al., 2013). Beyond their role as barriers, these membranes can be modified with ligands to achieve active targeting, enhancing the precision of drug delivery to specific cell types (Zhou et al., 2020). Understanding the biophysical interactions at the membrane interface is essential for predicting the pharmacokinetic properties and potential toxicities of membrane-active drugs (NIH, 2020).

Other names

Lipid bilayerBiological membraneBiomembraneLiposomal membraneLNP membranePlasma membrane

Membrane disruption, pore formation, modulation of membrane fluidity, membrane fusion, and facilitation of endocytosis.