Membrane Interactions of Virus-like Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

In the present study, we investigated lipid membrane interactions of silica nanoparticles as carriers for antimicrobial peptide LL-37 (LLGDFFRKSKEKIGKEFKRIVQRIKDFLRNLVPRTES). doing so, smooth mesoporous were compared to virus-like nanoparticles, characterized by a “spiky” external surface, well nonporous nanoparticles. For this, employed combination neutron reflectometry, ellipsometry, dynamic light scattering, and ζ-potential measurements studies bacteria-mimicking bilayers formed palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine/palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylglycerol. The results show that nanoparticle topography strongly influences binding destabilization. We found particles are able destabilize such membranes, whereas corresponding not. This effect particle spikes becomes further accentuated after loading with LL-37. Thus, peptide-loaded displayed more pronounced disruption than either or free structural basis this was clarified demonstrating induce trans-membrane defects promote incorporation throughout both bilayer leaflets. relevance effects bacterial rupture demonstrated confocal microscopy live/dead assays on Escherichia coli bacteria. Taken together, these findings demonstrate interaction bilayers, in absence presence peptides, also identify being interest design delivery systems peptides.