Interaction of liposomes on endothelial cells

Liposomes are small vesicles (∼100 nm) composed of various of lipid molecules which build their membrane bilayers. Different forces acting on and among lipid molecules in liposome membrane influence their dynamics and interactions with other particles (e.g. cells). In the case of liposome interacting with endothelial cells (e.g. blood-brain barrier) various of transport mechanisms have to be considered (e.g. receptor-mediated transcytosis). Liposome-cell interaction which is exchange of lipids, absorbtion of liposomes on cell membranes and specially fusion or endocytosis, can be described with proper equations of mass action. Furthermore, experimental measurements of liposome-cell interaction on MDCK cells with similar charachteristics compare to actual endothelial cells in BBB were made. The measurements showed the correlation of specific membrane properties with the rate of interaction or transcytosis, which could lead to an optimal liposomal conformation to effectively traverse BBB.