Electrophoretic Mobility of Lipid Coated Nanoparticles: Understanding the Influence of Size and Charge on a Lipoprotein Particle Mimic

摘要

Elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Although smaller LDL particles are more atherogenic, it is not clear how LDL particle size influences atherogenesis. Smaller particles may be more prone to macrophage uptake and plaque formation. Alternatively, increased rates of lipid oxidation may explain the atherogenic effects of smaller LDL. We have developed a mimic of LDL that allows independent examination of the effect of LDL size and oxidation. We have engineered LDL mimics using liposome-encapsulated gold nanoparticles, in which the size and surface charge are independently controlled during synthesis. Here we examine the effects of lipid composition on zeta potential and electrophoretic mobility of LDL mimics. Using these mimics, we explored the effect of the lipid coating on the nanoparticles including anionic lipids and oxidized lipids. Dynamic light scattering was used to determine the size of the mimics and gel electrophoresis was used to measure the mobility and calculate zeta potential. The charge of the lipid coating influenced the mobility and we anticipate this will influence how the mimics interacts with proteins.