Small-angle X-ray scattering unveils the internal structure of lipid nanoparticles

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.02.076
• Publication Date: 2024-02-12T16:31:10Z
• Authors: Francesco Spinozzi; Paolo Moretti; Diego Romano Peri...; Giacomo Corucci; Paolo Piergiovanni; Heinz Amenitsch; Giulio Alfredo Sa...; Giancarlo Franzese; Paolo Blasi
• Keywords: Small-angle X-ray scattering; Dispersity; Solid lipid nanoparticle

Lipid nanoparticles own a remarkable potential in nanomedicine, only partially disclosed. While the clinical use of liposomes and cationic lipid-nucleic acid complexes is well-established, liquid lipid (nanoemulsions), solid nanoparticles, nanostructured carriers have even greater possibilities. However, they face obstacles being used clinics due to lack understanding about molecular mechanisms controlling their drug loading release, interactions with biological environment (such as protein corona), shelf-life stability. To create effective delivery successfully translate bench research settings, it crucial thorough internal structure nanoparticles. Through synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering experiments, we determined spatial distribution nanoparticles' lipid, surfactant, bound water them. The themselves barrel-like shape that consists coplanar platelets (specifically cetyl palmitate) are covered by loosely spaced polysorbate 80 surfactant molecules, whose polar heads retain large amount water. reduce interface cost unbound without stacking, collapse onto each other. This challenges classical core-shell model typically describe could play significant role fluid interaction, nanoparticle stability, making our findings valuable for rational design lipid-based