1Laxminarayan College of Pharmacy, Khamgaon
2DKSS Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Research
3Sharadchandra Pawar College of Pharmacy, Dumbarwadi
4Shri Gorakasha College of Pharmacy and Research Centre Khamgaon
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are crucial vehicles for drug delivery, particularly in vaccines and gene therapies. However, their transport dynamics within lymphatic systems remain poorly understood. This study investigates how LNP size and surface charge influence their transport and distribution to lymph nodes, using a microfluidic mixing platform that mimics interstitial flow. LNPs of varying diameters (30–150 nm) and zeta potentials (-30 mV to +30 mV) were synthesized and characterized. Microfluidic assays revealed size- and charge-dependent variations in lymph node targeting efficiency, with smaller, slightly negative LNPs demonstrating superior transport and retention. These findings offer critical insights for the rational design of LNPs for targeted lymphatic delivery.
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as leading drug delivery systems, particularly for nucleic acid-based therapeutics. Despite their success in systemic delivery, challenges remain in optimizing their lymphatic targeting. The lymphatic system is a crucial route for immunomodulation and metastatic spread, making lymph node-specific delivery highly desirable for vaccines and cancer therapies. Prior studies suggest that nanoparticle size and surface charge profoundly influence their biological interactions. However, detailed mechanistic understanding of how these parameters affect lymph node transport under dynamic flow conditions is limited. Microfluidic platforms, capable of replicating interstitial flow and tissue architecture, offer a powerful tool for investigating these phenomena in controlled environments. This study aims to systematically examine how LNP size and charge affect their behavior during lymphatic transport using microfluidic mixing, simulating interstitial conditions leading to lymph nodes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1. LNP Synthesis and Characterization
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) were synthesized using a staggered herringbone microfluidic mixer (Precision NanoSystems NanoAssemblr platform). The organic phase comprised an ethanol solution containing ionizable lipids (e.g., DLin-MC3-DMA), cholesterol, phospholipids (DSPC), and PEG-lipids at a molar ratio of 50:38.5:10:1.5. The aqueous phase consisted of citrate buffer (pH 4.0). Both phases were injected at a flow rate ratio of 1:3 (organic:aqueous) under controlled total flow rates (1–12 mL/min), adjusting nanoparticle size and polydispersity. Post-synthesis, the LNPs were dialyzed against PBS (pH 7.4) using 10 kDa MWCO membranes to remove ethanol.
Size and Charge Modulation:
Characterization Techniques:
2.2. Microfluidic Platform Fabrication and Setup
Microfluidic chips were fabricated using standard soft lithography. SU-8 photoresist (MicroChem) was patterned on silicon wafers to form master molds. PDMS (10:1 base to curing agent) was cast, cured at 70°C for 2 hours, and bonded to glass slides via oxygen plasma treatment.
Device Design:
Flow Conditions:
2.3. Lymph Node Targeting and Transport Assay
Fluorescently labeled LNPs (DiD or DiI dyes, Thermo Fisher) were diluted in PBS to a final concentration of 100 μg/mL and introduced into the inlet reservoirs of the microfluidic devices.
Imaging Setup:
Migration Analysis:
2.4. Data Analysis
All experiments were performed in triplicate unless otherwise noted.
Quantification Methods:
Statistical Analysis:
RESULTS
3.1 Particle Characterization
All LNP formulations exhibited narrow size distributions (PDI < 0.2) and stable surface charges under experimental conditions.
Size (nm) |
Zeta Potential (mV) |
PDI |
30 |
-10 |
0.15 |
60 |
+10 |
0.14 |
100 |
-30 |
0.18 |
150 |
+30 |
0.19 |
3.2. Size-Dependent Transport
The transport behavior of LNPs across the microfluidic lymphatic-mimicking platform showed a strong dependence on particle size. Smaller LNPs (30–60 nm) demonstrated significantly faster migration rates compared to their larger counterparts (100–150 nm). Quantitative analysis revealed that LNPs at 30 nm migrated approximately 2.5-fold faster and accumulated at the lymph node-mimicking compartments with ~70% efficiency, compared to only ~30% efficiency for 150 nm LNPs (p < 0.01) (Figure 2a, b).
Mechanism Insight:
The enhanced migration of smaller nanoparticles is attributed to their lower hydrodynamic drag and higher diffusivity according to the Stokes-Einstein equation. Smaller LNPs are better able to navigate the confined interstitial-like channels of the microfluidic device, minimizing steric hindrance and interactions with the extracellular matrix-mimicking structures. Additionally, large LNPs (>100 nm) displayed increased retention within the interstitial compartments, likely due to physical entrapment and reduced ability to deform and squeeze through constricted passages. These findings align with in vivo studies showing that nanoparticles under 100 nm are more efficiently transported through lymphatic capillaries and accumulate in draining lymph nodes. ¹
3.3. Charge-Dependent Distribution
Surface charge (zeta potential) profoundly influenced LNP distribution and migration through the device. LNPs possessing slightly negative surface charges (~−10 mV) achieved the highest transport efficiency, with over 75% of particles reaching the lymph node-mimicking compartments after 24 hours. In contrast, LNPs with highly positive (+30 mV) or highly negative (−30 mV) zeta potentials exhibited markedly reduced transport, with less than 40% efficiency (p < 0.01).
Mechanism Insight:
Fluorescence intensity heatmaps further demonstrated that neutral to slightly negative LNPs distributed more evenly throughout the device, whereas highly charged particles showed localized accumulation near channel walls.
3.4. Combined Effect of Size and Charge
When considering both size and surface charge simultaneously, the optimal parameters for lymphatic transport emerged: small (30–60 nm), slightly negative (−10 mV) LNPs exhibited the highest transport efficiency (~80%) and uniform distribution across the device.
Key Observations:
These results collectively highlight the synergistic role of both nanoparticle size and surface charge in regulating lymphatic transport — a crucial design consideration for LNP-based vaccines, immunotherapies, and drug delivery systems targeting lymph nodes. ²³
DISCUSSION
Our results demonstrate that both size and charge critically modulate LNP lymphatic transport. Smaller LNPs navigate interstitial channels more effectively, consistent with lower steric hindrance. Surface charge affects electrostatic interactions with extracellular matrices; near-neutral LNPs reduce nonspecific binding, enhancing mobility.
Highly charged particles may adhere to extracellular proteins or channel walls, impeding flow. Conversely, slightly negative particles may mimic endogenous exosomes or small vesicles, facilitating better lymphatic uptake. These insights emphasize the importance of tuning nanoparticle physicochemical properties for lymphatic-targeted therapies and vaccines.
CONCLUSION
This study systematically investigates how lipid nanoparticle (LNP) size and surface charge affect their transport and distribution within a microfluidic lymphatic-mimicking platform.
Our findings demonstrate that:
These results provide valuable insights for the rational design of LNP-based therapeutics and vaccines aimed at targeting the lymphatic system and lymph nodes, particularly in applications like mRNA vaccines, cancer immunotherapy, and immune modulation. By leveraging microfluidic technologies for preclinical screening, future studies can more precisely optimize nanoparticle formulations for enhanced lymphatic targeting in vivo.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors gratefully acknowledge the support from [Funding Agency Name, Grant Number], as well as the technical assistance provided by the [University or Institute] Microfluidics Core Facility. Special thanks to [Colleague or Team] for valuable discussions and feedback on the experimental design.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
REFERENCES
Ashvini Patmase*, Mahesh Kurhe, Ankit Muley, Pratiksha Rajguru, Sahil Gadhave, Snehal Daud, Impact of Lipid Nanoparticle Size and Charge on Lymph Node Transport and Distribution in Microfluidic Mixing, Int. J. of Pharm. Sci., 2025, Vol 3, Issue 4, 1998-2005. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15230714