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Zhang D, Zhang Y, Xiao Y, Wang Y, Shen Y, Wang Z, Qiao H. Giant vesicles form in physiological saline and encapsulate pDNA by the modified electroformation method. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2024; 237:113840. [PMID: 38508085 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2024.113840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Giant vesicles (GVs) are used to study the structures and functions of cells and cell membranes. Electroformation is the most commonly used method for GV preparation. However, the electroformation of GVs is hindered in highly concentrated ionic solutions, limiting their application as cell models for research under physiological conditions. In this study, giant multilayer vesicles were successfully generated in physiological saline using a modified electroformation device by adding an insulating layer between the two electrode plates. The influence of the electric frequency and strength on the electroformation of GVs in physiological saline was explored, and a possible mechanism for this improvement was assessed. It has been shown that an insulating layer between the two electrodes can improve the electroformation of GVs in physiological saline by increasing the electrical impedance, which is weakened by the saline solution, thereby restoring the reduced effective electric field strength. Furthermore, macromolecular plasmid DNA (pDNA) was successfully encapsulated in the electroformed GVs of the modified device. This modified electroformation method may be useful for generating eukaryotic cell models under physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingshan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yangruizi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yao Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yiting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yong Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; National Engineering Research Center for Ultrasound Medicine, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Zhibiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Hai Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
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Boban Z, Mardešić I, Subczynski WK, Raguz M. Giant Unilamellar Vesicle Electroformation: What to Use, What to Avoid, and How to Quantify the Results. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:membranes11110860. [PMID: 34832088 PMCID: PMC8622294 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11110860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Since its inception more than thirty years ago, electroformation has become the most commonly used method for growing giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Although the method seems quite straightforward at first, researchers must consider the interplay of a large number of parameters, different lipid compositions, and internal solutions in order to avoid artifactual results or reproducibility problems. These issues motivated us to write a short review of the most recent methodological developments and possible pitfalls. Additionally, since traditional manual analysis can lead to biased results, we have included a discussion on methods for automatic analysis of GUVs. Finally, we discuss possible improvements in the preparation of GUVs containing high cholesterol contents in order to avoid the formation of artifactual cholesterol crystals. We intend this review to be a reference for those trying to decide what parameters to use as well as an overview providing insight into problems not yet addressed or solved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zvonimir Boban
- Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia; (Z.B.); (I.M.)
- Doctoral Study of Biophysics, Faculty of Science, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Ivan Mardešić
- Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia; (Z.B.); (I.M.)
- Doctoral Study of Biophysics, Faculty of Science, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | | | - Marija Raguz
- Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia; (Z.B.); (I.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-98-768-819
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