Dispersed liquid crystals as pH-adjustable antimicrobial peptide nanocarriers

pH-responsive nanocarriers have the potential to provide targeted delivery of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) sites bacterial infection with typically abnormal pH levels in body. However, local infected varies substantially among different infection-related diseases, calling for development systems capable targeting pathological conditions an adjustable range. In this study, a highly versatile nanocarrier platform, based on dispersions oleic acid (OA) and glycerol monooleate (GMO) self-assemblies human cathelicidin AMP LL-37, was designed characterized. A detailed pH-composition phase diagram constructed from small angle X-ray scattering cryogenic transmission electron microscopy data. addition, protonation state apparent pKa OA embedded these nano-self-assemblies were investigated by electrophoretic mobility measurements at pHs found be strongly dependent composition. By varying composition nanocarriers, molecules could tuned 7.8 6.3, shifting range nanocarriers' pH-response. The study advances our fundamental understanding self-assembly pH-responsiveness lipid-peptide containing monounsaturated long-chain fatty acids. results may guide future design adaptable patient-optimized pH-targeted delivery.