Lipopolysaccharide-induced dynamic lipid membrane reorganization: tubules, perforations, and stacks.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a unique lipoglycan, with two major physiological roles: 1), as a major structural component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and 2), as a highly potent mammalian toxin when released from cells into solution (endotoxin). LPS is an amphiphile that spontaneously inserts into the outer leaflet of lipid bilayers to bury its hydrophobic lipidic domain, leaving the hydrophilic polysaccharide chain exposed to the exterior polar solvent. Divalent cations have long been known to neutralize and stabilize LPS in the outer membrane, whereas LPS in the presence of monovalent cations forms highly mobile negatively-charged aggregates.

Preparation and characterization of novel magnetic nano-in-microparticles for site-specific pulmonary drug delivery.

We propose the use of novel inhalable nano-in-microparticles (NIMs) for site-specific pulmonary drug delivery. Conventional lung cancer therapy has failed to achieve therapeutic drug concentrations at tumor sites without causing adverse effects in healthy tissue. To increase targeted drug delivery near lung tumors, we have prepared and characterized a magnetically responsive dry powder vehicle containing doxorubicin.