Association of the Thermodynamics with the Functionality of Thermoresponsive Chimeric Nanosystems

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive nanosystems are an emerging technology in the field of therapy and are very promising for various applications, including targeted drug delivery. In this chapter, our scope is to integrate two different methodologies, namely differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), in order to rationally approach the functional behavior of thermoresponsive chimeric/mixed liposomes and interpret their thermoresponsiveness on a thermodynamic basis. In particular, chimeric bilayers comprised of the phospholipid 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and two different-in-composition thermoresponsive amphiphilic block copolymers poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-b-poly(lauryl acrylate) (PNIPAM-b-PLA) 1 or 2 were built by a conventional evaporation technique, followed by DSC, and chimeric liposomes of DPPC and PNIPAM-b-PLA 1 were developed and studied by DLS, after preparation and after a simple heating protocol. The results from both methodologies indicate the composition- and concentration-dependent lyotropic effect of the foreign copolymer molecule on the properties and functionality of the lipidic membrane.