Amphiphilic lipids can self- assemble into a variety of structures.1 In particular, the inverse bicontinuous cubic phases and their applications and role in nature have generated strong interest.2-4 It has been shown that macroscopic properties of lipid structures depend on their fine structures. Therefore, it is of prime interest to have methods for determining those structures.
The Cryo-TEM signified a breakthrough in the imaging of hydrated specimens allowing their visualization close to native state.
In this study we have been performing Cryo-electron tomography (CET) onto these particles and characterization of a delivery systems, based on Internal Self-Assembled (ISA, Nestlé proprietary delivery systems) structures.
3D tomograms of cubosomes were obtained and this study confirms the proposed structure for cubosomes and provides novel insights in the understanding of the interface maturation.
1. Larsson, K., Cubic Lipid-Water Phases: Structures and Biomembrane Aspects. The Journal of Physical Chemistry 1989, 93 (21), 7304-7314.
2. Sagalowicz, L.; Leser, M. E.; Watzke, H. J.; Michel, M., Monoglyceride self-assembly structures as delivery vehicles. Trends in Food Science and Technology 2006, 17, 204-214.
3. Almsherqi, Z. A.; Kohlwein, S. D.; Deng, Y., Cubic membranes: a legend beyond the Flatland of cell membrane organization The Journal of Cell Biology 2006 173, 839-844
4. Siegel, D. P.; Epand, R. M., Effect of influenza hemagglutinin fusion peptide on lamellar/inverted phase transitions in dipalmitoleoylphosphatidylethanolamine: implications for membrane fusion mechanisms. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 2000, 1468, 87-98.