Tunable rigidity of (polymeric core)-(lipid shell) nanoparticles for regulated cellular uptake.

Sun, Jiashu; Zhang, Lu; Wang, Jiuling; Feng, Qiang; Liu, Dingbin; Yin, Qifang; Xu, Dongyan; Wei, Yujie et al. · Adv Mater · 2015

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) with lipid shells and varying water content and rigidity but with the same chemical composition, size, and surface properties are assembled using a microfluidic platform. Rigidity can dramatically alter the cellular uptake efficiency, with more-rigid NPs able to pass more easily through cell membranes. The mechanism accounting for this rigidity-dependent cellular uptake is revealed through atomistic-level simulations.

Medical subject headings