Interaction of Chitosan with Anionic Liquid Liposomes: Reversibility of Structural Rearrangements in Lipid Bilayer

Abstract— Reversibility of structural rearrangements in a liquid liposomal membrane upon electrostatic adsorption/desorption of the cationic polymer (chitosan) has been studied. The polycation can be completely removed from the lipid membrane via addition of an excess of polyacrylic acid forming more stable electrostatic complex with chitosan. Removal of chitosan has resulted in complete recovery of the original lipid distributions in lateral and transmembrane directions as well as intervesicular lipid exchange.