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Kariuki R, Penman R, Bryant SJ, Orrell-Trigg R, Meftahi N, Crawford RJ, McConville CF, Bryant G, Voïtchovsky K, Conn CE, Christofferson AJ, Elbourne A. Behavior of Citrate-Capped Ultrasmall Gold Nanoparticles on a Supported Lipid Bilayer Interface at Atomic Resolution. ACS NANO 2022; 16:17179-17196. [PMID: 36121776 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c07751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nanomaterials have the potential to transform biological and biomedical research, with applications ranging from drug delivery and diagnostics to targeted interference of specific biological processes. Most existing research is aimed at developing nanomaterials for specific tasks such as enhanced biocellular internalization. However, fundamental aspects of the interactions between nanomaterials and biological systems, in particular, membranes, remain poorly understood. In this study, we provide detailed insights into the molecular mechanisms governing the interaction and evolution of one of the most common synthetic nanomaterials in contact with model phospholipid membranes. Using a combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we elucidate the precise mechanisms by which citrate-capped 5 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) interact with supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) of pure fluid (DOPC) and pure gel-phase (DPPC) phospholipids. On fluid-phase DOPC membranes, the AuNPs adsorb and are progressively internalized as the citrate capping of the NPs is displaced by the surrounding lipids. AuNPs also interact with gel-phase DPPC membranes where they partially embed into the outer leaflet, locally disturbing the lipid organization. In both systems, the AuNPs cause holistic perturbations throughout the bilayers. AFM shows that the lateral diffusion of the particles is several orders of magnitude smaller than that of the lipid molecules, which creates some temporary scarring of the membrane surface. Our results reveal how functionalized AuNPs interact with differing biological membranes with mechanisms that could also have implications for cooperative membrane effects with other molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashad Kariuki
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Rowan Penman
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Saffron J Bryant
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Rebecca Orrell-Trigg
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Nastaran Meftahi
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Russell J Crawford
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Chris F McConville
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
- Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Gary Bryant
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Kislon Voïtchovsky
- University of Durham, Physics Department, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte E Conn
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Andrew J Christofferson
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Aaron Elbourne
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
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