Interaction of polyamidoamine dendrimers and amphiphylic dendrons with lipid membranes

Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers and amphiphilic dendrons are one of the types of nanomaterials characterized by a hyperbranched structure of polymer branches. In the case of dendrimers, the dendrons are covalently linked at the central focal point. In the case of amphiphilic dendrons, dendrons are non-covalently linked by hydrophobic interactions, forming micellar structures. These nanoparticles are widely used in biology and medicine as contrast agents, carriers of drugs and genetic material. Their use in scientific practice requires an understanding of the basic mechanisms of their interaction with membranes – the main obstacle to the entry of dendrimers into the cell. This review discusses the regularities of the interaction of dendrimers and amphiphilic dendrons with lipid membranes. Various models of dendrimer-membrane interactions are described as the basis for the penetration of dendrimers and amphiphilic nanoparticles into cells. Keywords: polyamidoamine dendrimers, amphiphilic dendrons, lipid membranes, cells, antitumor therapeutics, antibacterial agents, diagnostics, genetic therapy.