Interaction Between GUVs and Catanionic Nanocontainers: New Insight into Spontaneous Membrane Fusion.

Spontaneous receptor-free membrane fusion with pure lipid systems, used as a cell membrane model, is demonstrated with easy-to-handle lactose-derived catanionic vesicles. This fusion, mediated and controlled by phospholipids, emphasizes the great value of these nanovesicles for enhanced direct cytosolic drug delivery without the shortcomings linked with endocytic pathways.