Interaction of Na2B12H11SH with liposomes: Influence on zeta potential and particle size

The interaction of Na2B12H11SH (BSH) with liposomes has been studied. BSH is a compound used clinically in boron neutron capture therapy of glioblastoma, and is known to enter tumor cells. Liposomes were used as a model for studying the interaction of BSH with cell membranes. BSH led to changes in the zeta potential of liposomes consisting of DODAB (dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide) alone or with DOPC (dioleylphosphatidylcholine) or DOPE (dioleylphosphatidylethanolamine). It also led to changes of the size of DODAB liposomes, with a maximum size at small zeta potentials. A firm binding of BSH with the head groups of the lipid must be assumed.