Interaction of lyotropic liquid crystalline nanoparticles suitable for drug delivery with model membranes of different fluidity

Lipid-based lyotropic liquid crystalline nanoparticle dispersions, such as hexosomes and cubosomes, are biocompatible vehicles for drug delivery due to their ability to encapsulate lipophilic and hydrophilic molecules. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the cellular uptake of these highly ordered LCNPs is still unclear. Understanding the surface interaction of the hexagonal or cubic phase with lipid membranes could provide important hints for fine-tuning drug delivery. Among cell membrane properties, cholesterol-regulated fluidity could play an important role in the passive uptake of LCNPs. Here, we propose to study the interfacial interaction between hexosomes and cubosomes and model membrane of different fluidity by neutron reflectivity.