Lipid-based nanoparticle

Nanoparticles composed of lipids used in drug delivery and other applications

Lipid-based nanoparticles

Solid lipid nanoparticle

Lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs) are a class of nanoparticles composed primarily of lipids. They are used extensively in the field of drug delivery, particularly for the delivery of nucleic acids such as mRNA and siRNA. LNPs are designed to encapsulate therapeutic agents, protecting them from degradation and facilitating their delivery to target cells.

Structure and composition

Lipid-based nanoparticles typically consist of a lipid bilayer or a lipid monolayer surrounding a core that can contain the therapeutic agent. The lipids used in LNPs can include phospholipids, cholesterol, and other lipid molecules that contribute to the stability and functionality of the nanoparticle.

Types of lipid-based nanoparticles

There are several types of lipid-based nanoparticles, each with unique structural characteristics and applications:

• Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs): These are composed of solid lipids and are used for controlled drug release.
• Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs): These are similar to SLNs but contain a mixture of solid and liquid lipids, enhancing drug loading capacity.
• Liposomes: These are spherical vesicles with a lipid bilayer, widely used for drug delivery.
• Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs): These are often used for the delivery of genetic material such as mRNA.

Structures of SLN, NLC, and LNP

Applications

Lipid-based nanoparticles have a wide range of applications in medicine and biotechnology:

• Drug delivery: LNPs are used to deliver a variety of drugs, including anticancer agents, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Gene therapy: LNPs are used to deliver genetic material, such as mRNA and siRNA, for therapeutic purposes.
• Vaccines: LNPs are used in the formulation of vaccines, including some COVID-19 vaccines, to deliver mRNA encoding viral antigens.

Synthesis

The synthesis of lipid-based nanoparticles involves several methods, including:

• Solvent emulsification: This method involves dissolving lipids in a solvent, followed by emulsification and solvent removal to form nanoparticles.
• High-pressure homogenization: This technique uses high pressure to create nanoparticles from lipid dispersions.
• Microfluidics: This method uses microfluidic devices to precisely control the mixing of lipids and aqueous phases to form nanoparticles.

LNP synthesis via solvent emulsification

Advantages and challenges

Lipid-based nanoparticles offer several advantages, including biocompatibility, the ability to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, and the potential for targeted delivery. However, challenges remain, such as the need for improved stability, controlled release, and large-scale production.

Related pages

• Nanoparticle
• Drug delivery
• Liposome
• Gene therapy