1
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De Luca G, Sancataldo G, Militello B, Vetri V. Surface-catalyzed liquid-liquid phase separation and amyloid-like assembly in microscale compartments. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 676:569-581. [PMID: 39053405 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.07.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation is a key phenomenon in the formation of membrane-less structures within the cell, appearing as liquid biomolecular condensates. Protein condensates are the most studied for their biological relevance, and their tendency to evolve, resulting in the formation of aggregates with a high level of order called amyloid. In this study, it is demonstrated that Human Insulin forms micrometric, round amyloid-like structures at room temperature within sub-microliter scale aqueous compartments. These distinctive particles feature a solid core enveloped by a fluid-like corona and form at the interface between the aqueous compartment and the glass coverslip upon which they are cast. Quantitative fluorescence microscopy is used to study in real-time the formation of amyloid-like superstructures. Their formation results driven by liquid-liquid phase separation process that arises from spatially heterogeneous distribution of nuclei at the glass-water interface. The proposed experimental setup allows modifying the surface-to-volume ratio of the aqueous compartments, which affects the aggregation rate and particle size, while also inducing fine alterations in the molecular structures of the final assemblies. These findings enhance the understanding of the factors governing amyloid structure formation, shedding light on the catalytic role of surfaces in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe De Luca
- Department Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy; Department of Physics and Chemistry - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 18, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Sancataldo
- Department of Physics and Chemistry - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 18, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Benedetto Militello
- Department of Physics and Chemistry - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 18, 90128, Palermo, Italy; INFN Sezione di Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Valeria Vetri
- Department of Physics and Chemistry - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 18, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
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2
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Anselmo S, Sancataldo G, Vetri V. Deciphering amyloid fibril molecular maturation through FLIM-phasor analysis of thioflavin T. BIOPHYSICAL REPORTS 2024; 4:100145. [PMID: 38404533 PMCID: PMC10884809 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpr.2024.100145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The investigation of amyloid fibril formation is paramount for advancing our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and for exploring potential correlated therapeutic strategies. Moreover, the self-assembling properties of amyloid fibrils show promise for the development of advanced protein-based biomaterials. Among the methods employed to monitor protein aggregation processes, fluorescence has emerged as a powerful tool. Its exceptional sensitivity enables the detection of early-stage aggregation events that are otherwise challenging to observe. This research underscores the pivotal role of fluorescence analysis, particularly in investigating the aggregation processes of hen egg white lysozyme, a model protein extensively studied for insights into amyloid fibril formation. By combining classical spectroscopies with fluorescence microscopy and by exploiting the fluorescence properties (intensity and lifetime) of the thioflavin T, we were able to noninvasively monitor key and complex molecular aspects of the process. Intriguingly, the fluorescence lifetime imaging-phasor analysis of thioflavin T fluorescence lifetime on structures at different stages of aggregation allowed to decipher the complex fluorescence decay behavior, highlighting that their changes rise from the combination of specific binding to amyloid typical cross-β structures and of the rigidity of the molecular environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Anselmo
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica – Emilio Segré, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sancataldo
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica – Emilio Segré, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valeria Vetri
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica – Emilio Segré, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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3
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Ferrara V, Vetri V, Pignataro B, Chillura Martino DF, Sancataldo G. Phasor-FLIM analysis of cellulose paper ageing mechanism with carbotrace 680 dye. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 260:129452. [PMID: 38228201 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129452] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Ageing of paper is a complex process of great relevance for application purposes because of its widespread use as support for information storage in books and documents, and as common low-cost and green packaging material, to name a few. A key factor in paper ageing is the oxidation of cellulose, a macromolecule of natural origin that constitutes the main chemical component of paper. Such a complex process results in changes in the cellulose polymeric chains in chemical and structural properties. The scope of this work is to explore the effects of oxidation of cellulose as one of the principal mechanisms of ageing of paper using a fluorescence-based approach. To this aim, fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) measurements on pure cellulose samples stained using Carbotrace 680 dye were performed, and data were analyzed by phasor approach. The comparison with results from conventional techniques allowed to map paper microstructure as a function of the sample oxidation degree correlating the fluorescence-lifetime changes to cellulose oxidation. A two-step oxidation kinetics that produced specific modification in paper organization was highlighted indicating that FLIM measurements using Carbotrace 680 dye may provide a simple tool to obtain information on the oxidation process also adding spatial information at sub-micrometric scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Ferrara
- Department of Physics and Chemistry - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy
| | - Valeria Vetri
- Department of Physics and Chemistry - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Department of Physics and Chemistry - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy
| | - Delia Francesca Chillura Martino
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (STeBiCeF), University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Sancataldo
- Department of Physics and Chemistry - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy.
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4
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Jiang J, Nikbin E, Liu Y, Lei S, Ye G, Howe JY, Manners I, Winnik MA. Defect-Induced Secondary Crystals Drive Two-Dimensional to Three-Dimensional Morphological Evolution in the Co-Self-Assembly of Polyferrocenylsilane Block Copolymer and Homopolymer. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:28096-28110. [PMID: 38088827 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c09791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Bottom-up fabrication protocols for uniform 3D hierarchical structures in solution are rare. We report two different approaches to fabricate uniform 3D spherulites and their precursors using mixtures of poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane) (PFS) block copolymer (BCP) and PFS homopolymer (HP). Both protocols are designed to promote defects in 2D assemblies that serve as intermediate structures. In a multistep seeded growth protocol, we add the BCP/HP mixture to (1D) rod-like PFS micelles in a selective solvent as first-generation seeds. This leads to 2D platelet structures. If this step is conducted at a high supersaturation, secondary crystals form on the basal surface of these platelets. Co-crystallization and rapid crystallization of BCP/HP promote the formation of defects that act as nucleation sites for secondary crystals, resulting in multilayer platelets. This is the key step. The multilayer platelets serve as second-generation seeds upon subsequent addition of BCP/HP blends and, with increasing supersaturation, lead to the sequential formation of uniform (3D) hedrites, sheaves, and spherulites. Similar structures can also be obtained by a simple one-pot direct self-assembly (heating-cooling-aging) protocol of PFS BCP/HP blends. In this case, for a carefully chosen but narrow temperature range, PFS HPs nucleate formation of uniform structures, and the annealing temperature regulates the supersaturation level. In both protocols, the competitive crystallization kinetics of HP/BCP affects the morphology. Both protocols exhibit broad generality. We believe the morphological transformation from 2D to 3D structures, regulated by defect formation, co-crystallization, and supersaturation levels, could apply to various semicrystalline polymers. Moreover, the 3D structures are sufficiently robust to serve as recoverable carriers for nanoparticle catalysts, exhibiting valuable catalytic activity and opening new possibilities for applications requiring exquisite 3D structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjie Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Ehsan Nikbin
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E4, Canada
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Shixing Lei
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Gang Ye
- Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jane Y Howe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E4, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E2, Canada
| | - Ian Manners
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Mitchell A Winnik
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E4, Canada
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5
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Panda C, Kumar S, Gupta S, Pandey LM. Structural, kinetic, and thermodynamic aspects of insulin aggregation. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:24195-24213. [PMID: 37674360 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp03103a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Given the significance of protein aggregation in proteinopathies and the development of therapeutic protein pharmaceuticals, revamped interest in assessing and modelling the aggregation kinetics has been observed. Quantitative analysis of aggregation includes data of gradual monomeric depletion followed by the formation of subvisible particles. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies are essential to gain key insights into the aggregation process. Despite being the medical marvel in the world of diabetes, insulin suffers from the challenge of aggregation. Physicochemical stresses are experienced by insulin during industrial formulation, storage, delivery, and transport, considerably impacting product quality, efficacy, and effectiveness. The present review briefly describes the pathways, mathematical kinetic models, and thermodynamics of protein misfolding and aggregation. With a specific focus on insulin, further discussions include the structural heterogeneity and modifications of the intermediates incurred during insulin fibrillation. Finally, different model equations to fit the kinetic data of insulin fibrillation are discussed. We believe that this review will shed light on the conditions that induce structural changes in insulin during the lag phase of fibrillation and will motivate scientists to devise strategies to block the initialization of the aggregation cascade. Subsequent abrogation of insulin fibrillation during bioprocessing will ensure stable and globally accessible insulin for efficient management of diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinmaya Panda
- Bio-interface & Environmental Engineering Lab Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India.
| | - Sachin Kumar
- Viral Immunology Lab Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Sharad Gupta
- Neurodegeneration and Peptide Engineering Research Lab Biological Engineering Discipline, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India
| | - Lalit M Pandey
- Bio-interface & Environmental Engineering Lab Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India.
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6
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Vanik V, Bednarikova Z, Fabriciova G, Wang SSS, Gazova Z, Fedunova D. Modulation of Insulin Amyloid Fibrillization in Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids with Hofmeister Series Anions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119699. [PMID: 37298650 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils have immense potential to become the basis of modern biomaterials. The formation of amyloid fibrils in vitro strongly depends on the solvent properties. Ionic liquids (ILs), alternative solvents with tunable properties, have been shown to modulate amyloid fibrillization. In this work, we studied the impact of five ILs with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium cation [EMIM+] and anions of Hofmeisterseries hydrogen sulfate [HSO4-], acetate [AC-], chloride [Cl-], nitrate [NO3-], and tetrafluoroborate [BF4-] on the kinetics of insulin fibrillization and morphology, and the structure of insulin fibrils when applying fluorescence spectroscopy, AFM and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. We found that the studied ILs were able to speed up the fibrillization process in an anion- and IL-concentration-dependent manner. At an IL concentration of 100 mM, the efficiency of the anions at promoting insulin amyloid fibrillization followed the reverse Hofmeister series, indicating the direct binding of ions with the protein surface. At a concentration of 25 mM, fibrils with different morphologies were formed, yet with similar secondary structure content. Moreover, no correlation with the Hofmeister ranking was detected for kinetics parameters. IL with the kosmotropic strongly hydrated [HSO4-] anion induced the formation of large amyloid fibril clusters, while the other kosmotropic anion [AC-] along with [Cl-] led to the formation of fibrils with similar needle-like morphologies to those formed in the IL-free solvent. The presence of the ILs with the chaotropic anions [NO3-] and [BF4-] resulted in longer laterally associated fibrils. The effect of the selected ILs was driven by a sensitive balance and interplay between specific protein-ion and ion-water interactions and non-specific long-range electrostatic shielding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Vanik
- Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Bednarikova
- Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Gabriela Fabriciova
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 041 54 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Steven S-S Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Zuzana Gazova
- Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Diana Fedunova
- Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
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7
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Anselmo S, Avola T, Kalouta K, Cataldo S, Sancataldo G, Muratore N, Foderà V, Vetri V, Pettignano A. Sustainable soy protein microsponges for efficient removal of lead (II) from aqueous environments. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 239:124276. [PMID: 37011754 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Protein-based materials recently emerged as good candidates for water cleaning applications, due to the large availability of the constituent material, their biocompatibility and the ease of preparation. In this work, new adsorbent biomaterials were created from Soy Protein Isolate (SPI) in aqueous solution using a simple environmentally friendly procedure. Protein microsponge-like structures were produced and characterized by means of spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy methods. The efficiency of these structures in removing lead (Pb2+) ions from aqueous solutions was evaluated by investigating the adsorption mechanisms. The molecular structure and, consequently, the physico-chemical properties of these aggregates can be readily tuned by selecting the pH of the solution during production. In particular, the presence of β-structures typical of amyloids as well as an environment characterized by a lower dielectric constant seem to enhance metal binding affinity revealing that hydrophobicity and water accessibility of the material are key features affecting the adsorption efficiency. Presented results provide new knowledge on how raw plant proteins can be valorised for the production of new biomaterials. This may offer extraordinary opportunities towards the design and production of new tailorable biosorbents which can also be exploited for several cycles of purification with minimal reduction in performance. SYNOPSIS: Innovative, sustainable plant-protein biomaterials with tunable properties are presented as green solution for water purification from lead (II) and the structure-function relationship is discussed.
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8
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Obstarczyk P, Pniakowska A, Nonappa, Grzelczak MP, Olesiak-Bańska J. Crown Ether-Capped Gold Nanoclusters as a Multimodal Platform for Bioimaging. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:11503-11511. [PMID: 37008092 PMCID: PMC10061685 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c00426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The distinct polarity of biomolecule surfaces plays a pivotal role in their biochemistry and functions as it is involved in numerous processes, such as folding, aggregation, or denaturation. Therefore, there is a need to image both hydrophilic and hydrophobic bio-interfaces with markers of distinct responses to hydrophobic and hydrophilic environments. In this work, we present a synthesis, characterization, and application of ultrasmall gold nanoclusters capped with a 12-crown-4 ligand. The nanoclusters present an amphiphilic character and can be successfully transferred between aqueous and organic solvents and have their physicochemical integrity retained. They can serve as probes for multimodal bioimaging with light (as they emit near-infrared luminescence) and electron microscopy (due to the high electron density of gold). In this work, we used protein superstructures, namely, amyloid spherulites, as a hydrophobic surface model and individual amyloid fibrils with a mixed hydrophobicity profile. Our nanoclusters spontaneously stained densely packed amyloid spherulites as observed under fluorescence microscopy, which is limited for hydrophilic markers. Moreover, our clusters revealed structural features of individual amyloid fibrils at a nanoscale as observed under a transmission electron microscope. We show the potential of crown ether-capped gold nanoclusters in multimodal structural characterization of bio-interfaces where the amphiphilic character of the supramolecular ligand is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patryk Obstarczyk
- Institute
of Advanced Materials, Wroclaw University
of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Anna Pniakowska
- Institute
of Advanced Materials, Wroclaw University
of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Nonappa
- Faculty
of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere
University, FI-33720 Tampere, Finland
| | - Marcin P. Grzelczak
- Institute
of Advanced Materials, Wroclaw University
of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Joanna Olesiak-Bańska
- Institute
of Advanced Materials, Wroclaw University
of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
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9
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In vitro and in vivo immunogenicity assessment of protein aggregate characteristics. Int J Pharm 2023; 631:122490. [PMID: 36521637 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The immunogenicity risk of therapeutic protein aggregates has been extensively investigated over the past decades. While it is established that not all aggregates are equally immunogenic, the specific aggregate characteristics, which are most likely to induce an immune response, remain ambiguous. The aim of this study was to perform comprehensive in vitro and in vivo immunogenicity assessment of human insulin aggregates varying in size, structure and chemical modifications, while keeping other morphological characteristics constant. We found that flexible aggregates with highly altered secondary structure were most immunogenic in all setups, while compact aggregates with native-like structure were found to be immunogenic primarily in vivo. Moreover, sub-visible (1-100 µm) aggregates were found to be more immunogenic than sub-micron (0.1-1 µm) aggregates, while chemical modifications (deamidation, ethylation and covalent dimers) were not found to have any measurable impact on immunogenicity. The findings highlight the importance of utilizing aggregates varying in few characteristics for assessment of immunogenicity risk of specific morphological features and may provide a workflow for reliable particle analysis in biotherapeutics.
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10
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Jiang J, Nikbin E, Hicks G, Song S, Liu Y, Wong ECN, Manners I, Howe JY, Winnik MA. Polyferrocenylsilane Block Copolymer Spherulites in Dilute Solution. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:1247-1261. [PMID: 36598864 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c11119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembly of block copolymers (BCP) into uniform 3D structures in solution is an extremely rare phenomenon. Furthermore, the investigation of general prerequisites for fabricating a specific uniform 3D structure remains unknown and challenging. Here, through a simple one-pot direct self-assembly (heating and cooling) protocol, we show that uniform spherulite-like structures and their precursors can be prepared with various poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane) (PFS) BCPs in a variety of polar and non-polar solvents. These structures all evolve from elongated lamellae into hedrites, sheaf-like micelles, and finally spherulites as the annealing temperature and supersaturation degree are increased. The key feature leading to this growth trajectory is the formation of secondary crystals by self-nucleation on the surface of early-elongated lamellae. We identified general prerequisites for fabricating PFS BCP spherulites in solution. These include corona/PFS core block ratios in the range of 1-5.5 that favor the formation of 2D structures as well as the development of secondary crystals on the basal faces of platelets at early stages of the self-assembly. The one-pot direct self-assembly provides a general protocol to form uniform spherulites and their precursors consisting of PFS BCPs that match these prerequisites. In addition, we show that manipulation of various steps in the direct self-assembly protocol can regulate the size and shape of the structures formed. These general concepts show promise for the fabrication and optimization of spherulites and their precursors from semicrystalline BCPs with interesting optical, electronic, or biomedical properties using the one-pot direct self-assembly protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjie Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Ehsan Nikbin
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, 184 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E4, Canada
| | - Garion Hicks
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Shaofei Song
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Edmond C N Wong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Ian Manners
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3V6, Canada
| | - Jane Y Howe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada.,Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, 184 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E4, Canada.,Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E2, Canada
| | - Mitchell A Winnik
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada.,Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E2, Canada
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11
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Thorlaksen C, Neergaard MB, Groenning M, Foderà V. Reproducible Formation of Insulin Superstructures: Amyloid-Like Fibrils, Spherulites, and Particulates. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2551:297-309. [PMID: 36310211 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2597-2_20] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Inducing protein aggregation in vitro under various formulation and stress conditions may lead to an increased understanding of the different association routes a protein can undergo. However, a range of factors can affect the aggregation process, often leading to heterogenous samples and experimental irreproducibility between labs. Here, we present detailed methods to reproducibly form homogenous samples of superstructures: amyloid-like fibrils, spherulites, and particulates from human insulin. We discuss pitfalls and good practice in the lab, with the aim of creating awareness on the potential sources of artefacts for protein stability and aggregation studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Thorlaksen
- Biophysical analysis, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark.
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | | | | | - Vito Foderà
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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12
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Dissecting aggregation and seeding dynamics of α-Syn polymorphs using the phasor approach to FLIM. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1345. [PMID: 36477485 PMCID: PMC9729209 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04289-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are a heterogenous group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the progressive accumulation of pathological α-synuclein (α-Syn). The importance of structural polymorphism of α-Syn assemblies for distinct synucleinopathies and their progression is increasingly recognized. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we use fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to investigate seeded aggregation of α-Syn in a biosensor cell line. We show that conformationally distinct α-Syn polymorphs exhibit characteristic fluorescence lifetimes. FLIM further revealed that α-Syn polymorphs were differentially processed by cellular clearance pathways, yielding fibrillar species with increased seeding capacity. Thus, FLIM is not only a powerful tool to distinguish different amyloid structures, but also to monitor the dynamic process of amyloid remodeling by the cellular environment. Our data suggest that the accumulation of highly seeding competent degradation products for particular polymorphs may account for accelerated disease progression in some patients.
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13
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A Long Journey into the Investigation of the Structure–Dynamics–Function Paradigm in Proteins through the Activities of the Palermo Biophysics Group. BIOPHYSICA 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/biophysica2040040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
An overview of the biophysics activity at the Department of Physics and Chemistry Emilio Segrè of the University of Palermo is given. For forty years, the focus of the research has been on the protein structure–dynamics–function paradigm, with the aim of understanding the molecular basis of the relevant mechanisms and the key role of solvent. At least three research lines are identified; the main results obtained in collaboration with other groups in Italy and abroad are presented. This review is dedicated to the memory of Professors Massimo Ugo Palma, Maria Beatrice Palma Vittorelli, and Lorenzo Cordone, which were the founders of the Palermo School of Biophysics. We all have been, directly or indirectly, their pupils; we miss their enthusiasm for scientific research, their deep physical insights, their suggestions, their strict but always constructive criticisms, and, most of all, their friendship. This paper is dedicated also to the memory of Prof. Hans Frauenfelder, whose pioneering works on nonexponential rebinding kinetics, protein substates, and energy landscape have inspired a large part of our work in the field of protein dynamics.
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14
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Thorlaksen C, Stanciu AM, Busch Neergaard M, Jiskoot W, Groenning M, Foderà V. Subtle pH variation around pH 4.0 affects aggregation kinetics and aggregate characteristics of recombinant human insulin. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2022; 179:166-172. [PMID: 36087880 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Insulin is a biotherapeutic protein, which, depending on environmental conditions such as pH, has been shown to form a large variety of aggregates with different structures and morphologies. This work focuses on the formation and characteristics of insulin particulates, dense spherical aggregates having diameters spanning from nanometre to low-micron size. An in-depth investigation of the system is obtained by applying a broad range of techniques for particle sizing and characterisation. An interesting observation was achieved regarding the formation kinetics and aggregate characteristics of the particulates; a subtle change in the pH from pH 4.1 to pH 4.3 markedly affected the kinetics of the particulate formation and led to different particulate sizes, either nanosized or micronsized particles. Also, a clear difference between the secondary structure of the protein particulates formed at the two pH values was observed, where the nanosized particulates had an increased content of aggregated β-structure compared to the micronsized particles. The remaining characteristics of the particles were identical for the two particulate populations. These observations highlight the importance of carefully studying the formulation design space and of knowing the impact of parameters such as pH on the aggregation to secure a drug product in control. Furthermore, the identification of particles only varying in few parameters, such as size, are considered highly valuable for studying the effect of particle features on the immunogenicity potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Thorlaksen
- Biophysical analysis, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, 2760 Måløv, Denmark; Department of pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Adriana-Maria Stanciu
- Biophysical analysis, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, 2760 Måløv, Denmark; Department of pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Wim Jiskoot
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Minna Groenning
- Biophysical analysis, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, 2760 Måløv, Denmark.
| | - Vito Foderà
- Department of pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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15
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Thorlaksen C, Stanciu AM, Busch Neergaard M, Hatzakis N, Foderà V, Groenning M. Morphological integrity of insulin amyloid-like aggregates depends on preparation methods and post-production treatments. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2022; 179:147-155. [PMID: 36058445 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2022.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Protein aggregates are often varying extensively in their morphological characteristics, which may lead to various biological outcomes, such as increased immunogenicity risk. However, isolation of aggregates with a specific morphology within an ensemble is often challenging. To gain vital knowledge on the effects of aggregate characteristics, samples containing a single morphology must be produced by direct control of the aggregation process. Moreover, the formed aggregates need to be in an aqueous solution suitable for biological assays, while keeping their morphology intact. Here we evaluated the dependence of morphology and integrity of amyloid-like fibrils and spherulites on preparation conditions and post-treatment methods. Samples containing either amyloid-like fibrils or spherulites produced from human insulin in acetic acid solutions are dependent on the presence of salt (NaCl). Moreover, mechanical shaking (600 rpm) inhibits spherulite formation, while only affecting the length of the formed fibrils compared to quiescent conditions. Besides shaking, the initial protein concentration in the formulation was found to control fibril length. Surprisingly, exchanging the solution used for aggregate formation to a physiologically relevant buffer, had a striking effect on the morphological integrity of the fibril and spherulite samples. Especially the secondary structure of one of our spherulite samples presented dramatic changes of the aggregated β-sheet content after exchanging the solution, emphasizing the importance of the aggregate stability. These results and considerations have profound implications on the data interpretation and should be implemented in the workflow for both fundamental characterization of aggregates as well as assays for evaluation of their corresponding biological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Thorlaksen
- Biophysical analysis, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, 2760 Måløv, Denmark; Department of Pharmacy and Nanoscience Center University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Adriana-Maria Stanciu
- Biophysical analysis, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, 2760 Måløv, Denmark; Department of Pharmacy and Nanoscience Center University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Nikos Hatzakis
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience Center, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark; NovoNordisk Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 København N, Denmark
| | - Vito Foderà
- Department of Pharmacy and Nanoscience Center University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Minna Groenning
- Biophysical analysis, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, 2760 Måløv, Denmark.
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16
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Morando MA, Venturella F, Sollazzo M, Monaca E, Sabbatella R, Vetri V, Passantino R, Pastore A, Alfano C. Solution structure of recombinant Pvfp-5β reveals insights into mussel adhesion. Commun Biol 2022; 5:739. [PMID: 35879391 PMCID: PMC9314366 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03699-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Some marine organisms can resist to aqueous tidal environments and adhere tightly on wet surface. This behavior has raised increasing attention for potential applications in medicine, biomaterials, and tissue engineering. In mussels, adhesive forces to the rock are the resultant of proteinic fibrous formations called byssus. We present the solution structure of Pvfp-5β, one of the three byssal plaque proteins secreted by the Asian green mussel Perna viridis, and the component responsible for initiating interactions with the substrate. We demonstrate that Pvfp-5β has a stably folded structure in agreement with the presence in the sequence of two EGF motifs. The structure is highly rigid except for a few residues affected by slow local motions in the µs-ms time scale, and differs from the model calculated by artificial intelligence methods for the relative orientation of the EGF modules, which is something where computational methods still underperform. We also show that Pvfp-5β is able to coacervate even with no DOPA modification, giving thus insights both for understanding the adhesion mechanism of adhesive mussel proteins, and developing of biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Agnese Morando
- Structural Biology and Biophysics Unit, Fondazione Ri.MED, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca Venturella
- Structural Biology and Biophysics Unit, Fondazione Ri.MED, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Martina Sollazzo
- Structural Biology and Biophysics Unit, Fondazione Ri.MED, 90133, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Elisa Monaca
- Structural Biology and Biophysics Unit, Fondazione Ri.MED, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Raffaele Sabbatella
- Structural Biology and Biophysics Unit, Fondazione Ri.MED, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valeria Vetri
- Department of Physics and Chemistry-Emilio Segrè (DiFC), University of Palermo, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosa Passantino
- Biophysics Institute, National Research Council, 90143, Palermo, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pastore
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Ave des Martyrs, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Caterina Alfano
- Structural Biology and Biophysics Unit, Fondazione Ri.MED, 90133, Palermo, Italy.
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17
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Anselmo S, Sancataldo G, Foderà V, Vetri V. α-casein micelles-membranes interaction: Flower-like lipid protein coaggregates formation. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2022; 1866:130196. [PMID: 35724888 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2022.130196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental conditions regulate the association/aggregation states of proteins and their action in cellular compartments. Analysing protein behaviour in presence of lipid membranes is fundamental for the comprehension of many functional and dysfunctional processes. Here, we present an experimental study on the interaction between model membranes and α-casein. α-casein is the major component of milk proteins and it is recognised to play a key role in performing biological functions. The conformational properties of this protein and its capability to form supramolecular structures, like micelles or irreversible aggregates, are key effectors in functional and pathological effects. METHODS By means of quantitative fluorescence imaging and complementary spectroscopic methods, we were able to characterise α-casein association state and the course of events induced by pH changes, which regulate the interaction of this molecule with membranes. RESULTS The study of these complex dynamic events revealed that the initial conformation of the protein critically regulates the fate of α-casein, size and structure of the newly formed aggregates and their effect on membrane structures. Disassembly of micelles due to modification in electrostatic interactions results in increased membrane structure rigidity which accompanies the formation of protein lipid flower-like co-aggregates with protein molecules localised in the external part. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE These results may contribute to the comprehension of how the initial state of a protein establishes the course of events that occur upon changes in the molecular environment. These events which may occur in cells may be essential to functional, pathological or therapeutical properties specifically associated to casein proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Anselmo
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica - Emilio Segré, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze ed. 18, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sancataldo
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica - Emilio Segré, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze ed. 18, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vito Foderà
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Valeria Vetri
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica - Emilio Segré, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze ed. 18, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
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18
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Zhou X, Fennema Galparsoro D, Østergaard Madsen A, Vetri V, van de Weert M, Mørck Nielsen H, Foderà V. Polysorbate 80 controls Morphology, structure and stability of human insulin Amyloid-Like spherulites. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 606:1928-1939. [PMID: 34695760 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.09.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid protein aggregates are not only associated with neurodegenerative diseases and may also occur as unwanted by-products in protein-based therapeutics. Surfactants are often employed to stabilize protein formulations and reduce the risk of aggregation. However, surfactants alter protein-protein interactions and may thus modulate the physicochemical characteristics of any aggregates formed. Human insulin aggregation was induced at low pH in the presence of varying concentrations of the surfactant polysorbate 80. Various spectroscopic and imaging methods were used to study the aggregation kinetics, as well as structure and morphology of the formed aggregates. Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to investigate the initial interaction between the surfactant and insulin. Addition of polysorbate 80 slowed down, but did not prevent, aggregation of insulin. Amyloid spherulites formed under all conditions, with a higher content of intermolecular beta-sheets in the presence of the surfactant above its critical micelle concentration. In addition, a denser packing was observed, leading to a more stable aggregate. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested a tendency for insulin to form dimers in the presence of the surfactant, indicating a change in protein-protein interactions. It is thus shown that surfactants not only alter aggregation kinetics, but also affect physicochemical properties of any aggregates formed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhou
- Drug Delivery and Biophysics of Biopharmaceuticals, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Dirk Fennema Galparsoro
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 18, Palermo 90128, Italy
| | - Anders Østergaard Madsen
- Manufacturing and Materials, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Valeria Vetri
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 18, Palermo 90128, Italy.
| | - Marco van de Weert
- Drug Delivery and Biophysics of Biopharmaceuticals, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Hanne Mørck Nielsen
- Drug Delivery and Biophysics of Biopharmaceuticals, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Vito Foderà
- Drug Delivery and Biophysics of Biopharmaceuticals, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark.
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19
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Obstarczyk P, Lipok M, Żak A, Cwynar P, Olesiak-Banska J. Amyloid fibrils in superstructures – local ordering revealed by polarization analysis of two-photon excited autofluorescence. Biomater Sci 2022; 10:1554-1561. [DOI: 10.1039/d1bm01768c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Protein misfolding products – amyloids – tend to form distinct fibrillar structures of characteristic fold for a given neurodegenerative disease or pathology. Moreover, amyloids (also in intermediate or distorted state)...
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20
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P C Sekhar K, Zhao K, Gao Z, Ma X, Geng H, Song A, Cui J. Polymorphic transient glycolipid assemblies with tunable lifespan and cargo release. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 610:1067-1076. [PMID: 34876263 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.11.170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS In living systems, dynamic processes like dissipative assembly, polymorph formation, and destabilization of hydrophobic domains play an indispensable role in the biochemical processes. Adaptation of biological self-assembly processes to an amphiphilic molecule leads to the fabrication of intelligent biomaterials with life-like behavior. EXPERIMENTS An amphiphilic glycolipid molecule was engineered into various dissipative assemblies (vesicles and supramolecular nanotube-composed hydrogels) by using two activation steps, including heating-cooling and shear force in method-1 or boric acid/glycolipid complexation and shear force in method-2. The influence of number of activation steps on vesicle to nanotube phase transitions and activation method on the properties of hydrogels were investigated, where the morphological transformations and destabilization of hydrophobic domains resulted from a bilayer to a higher-order crystal structure. FINDINGS Hydrophobic and hydrophilic cargos encapsulated in the dissipative assemblies (vesicles and injectable hydrogels) can be released in a controlled manner via changing the activation method. The reported adaptive materials engineered by dual activation steps are promising self-assembled systems for programmed release of loaded cargos at a tunable rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanaparedu P C Sekhar
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China
| | - Kaijie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China
| | - Zhiliang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China
| | - Xuebin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China
| | - Huimin Geng
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China
| | - Aixin Song
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China.
| | - Jiwei Cui
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China; State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China.
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21
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Vus K, Tarabara U, Danylenko I, Pirko Y, Krupodorova T, Yemets A, Blume Y, Turchenko V, Klymchuk D, Smertenko P, Zhytniakivska O, Trusova V, Petrushenko S, Bogatyrenko S, Gorbenko G. Silver nanoparticles as inhibitors of insulin amyloid formation: A fluorescence study. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.117508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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22
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Gomathi K, Haribabu J, Saranya S, Gayathri D, Jeyalakshmi K, Sendilvelan S, Echeverria C, Karvembu R. Effective inhibition of insulin amyloid fibril aggregation by nickel(II) complexes containing heterocyclic thiosemicarbazones. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2021; 50:1069-1081. [PMID: 34455461 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-021-01566-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The sensitivity of protein molecular structures makes them susceptible to aggregation in conditions unfavorable for the maintenance of their native folds. The aggregation of proteins leads to many disorders, but the inhibition of amyloid fibril formation using metal-containing small molecules is gaining popularity. Herein we report the effect of nickel(II) complexes (N1, N2, N3, and N4) bearing thiosemicarbazones on the inhibition of amyloid fibril formation by insulin. The interactions of the complexes with amyloid fibrils were investigated using various biophysical techniques, including light scattering, intrinsic fluorescence assay, thioflavin T (ThT) assay, and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. The results revealed that the phenyl-substituted N3 was an efficient inhibitor of amyloid fibril formation and maintained the insulin in its native structure despite conditions promoting fibrillation. Nickel(II) complexes containing indole based thiosemicarbazones were efficient in inhibiting the amyloid fibril formation and maintaining the insulin in its native structure in unfavorable conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kannayiram Gomathi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, Maduravoyal, Chennai, 600095, India.
| | - Jebiti Haribabu
- Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, 620015, India.,Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Atacama, Copayapu 485, 1531772, Copiapo, Chile
| | - Sivaraj Saranya
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, Maduravoyal, Chennai, 600095, India.,Multi Organ Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Dasararaju Gayathri
- Centre of Advanced Study in Crystallography and Biophysics, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, 600025, India
| | - Kumaramangalam Jeyalakshmi
- Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, 620015, India.,Department of Chemistry, M. Kumarasamy College of Engineering, Karur, 639113, India
| | - Subramanian Sendilvelan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, Maduravoyal, Chennai, 600095, India
| | - Cesar Echeverria
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Atacama, Copayapu 485, 1531772, Copiapo, Chile
| | - Ramasamy Karvembu
- Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, 620015, India.
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23
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Sancataldo G, Ferrara V, Bonomo FP, Chillura Martino DF, Licciardi M, Pignataro BG, Vetri V. Identification of microplastics using 4-dimethylamino-4'-nitrostilbene solvatochromic fluorescence. Microsc Res Tech 2021; 84:2820-2831. [PMID: 34047435 PMCID: PMC9291063 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we introduce the use of 4‐dimethylamino‐4′‐nitrostilbene (DANS) fluorescent dye for applications in the detection and analysis of microplastics, an impendent source of pollution made of synthetic organic polymers with a size varying from less than 5 mm to nanometer scale. The use of this dye revealed itself as a versatile, fast and sensitive tool for readily discriminate microplastics in water environment. The experimental evidences herein presented demonstrate that DANS efficiently absorbs into a variety of polymers constituting microplastics, and its solvatochromic properties lead to a positive shift of the fluorescence emission spectrum according to the polarity of the polymers. Therefore, under UV illumination, microplastics glow a specific emission spectrum from blue to red that allows for a straightforward polymer identification. In addition, we show that DANS staining gives access to different detection and analysis strategies based on fluorescence microscopy, from simple epifluorescence fragments visualization, to confocal microscopy and phasor approach for plastic components quantification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Sancataldo
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica – Emilio SegrèUniversità degli Studi di PalermoViale delle Scienze, 18PalermoItaly
| | - Vittorio Ferrara
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM)UdR of PalermoFlorenceItaly
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e FarmaceuticheUniversità di PalermoViale delle Scienze, 17PalermoItaly
| | | | - Delia Francesca Chillura Martino
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM)UdR of PalermoFlorenceItaly
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e FarmaceuticheUniversità di PalermoViale delle Scienze, 17PalermoItaly
| | - Mariano Licciardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e FarmaceuticheUniversità di PalermoViale delle Scienze, 17PalermoItaly
| | - Bruno Giuseppe Pignataro
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica – Emilio SegrèUniversità degli Studi di PalermoViale delle Scienze, 18PalermoItaly
| | - Valeria Vetri
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica – Emilio SegrèUniversità degli Studi di PalermoViale delle Scienze, 18PalermoItaly
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24
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Song S, Zhou H, Ye S, Tam J, Howe JY, Manners I, Winnik MA. Spherulite‐Like Micelles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202101177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shaofei Song
- Department of Chemistry University of Toronto 80 St. George Street Toronto Ontario M5S 3H6 Canada
| | - Hang Zhou
- Department of Chemistry University of Toronto 80 St. George Street Toronto Ontario M5S 3H6 Canada
| | - Shuyang Ye
- Department of Chemistry University of Toronto 80 St. George Street Toronto Ontario M5S 3H6 Canada
| | - Jason Tam
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Toronto 184 College Street Toronto Ontario M5S 3E4 Canada
| | - Jane Y. Howe
- Department of Chemistry University of Toronto 80 St. George Street Toronto Ontario M5S 3H6 Canada
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Toronto 184 College Street Toronto Ontario M5S 3E4 Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry University of Toronto 200 College St Toronto Ontario M5S 3E5 Canada
| | - Ian Manners
- Department of Chemistry University of Victoria 3800 Finnerty Road Victoria British Columbia V8P 5C2 Canada
| | - Mitchell A. Winnik
- Department of Chemistry University of Toronto 80 St. George Street Toronto Ontario M5S 3H6 Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry University of Toronto 200 College St Toronto Ontario M5S 3E5 Canada
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25
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ZHANG XX, CHU WB, JIANG N, LI H. Influence of Hydrogen Bond and Sodium Alginate on Bovine Serum Albumin Adhesion on ZnSe Surface. CHINESE JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2040(21)60101-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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26
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Song S, Zhou H, Ye S, Tam J, Howe JY, Manners I, Winnik MA. Spherulite-Like Micelles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:10950-10956. [PMID: 33626229 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202101177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
One-dimensional (1D) and 2D structures by crystallization-driven self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) can form fascinating hierarchical structures through secondary self-assembly. But examples of 3D structures formed via hierarchical self-assembly are rare. Here we report seeded growth experiments in decane of a poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane) BCP with an amphiphilic corona forming block in which lenticular platelets grow into classic spherulite-like uniform colloidally stable structures. These 3D objects are spherically symmetric on the exterior, but asymmetric near the core, where there is a more open structure consisting of sheaf-like leaves. The most remarkable aspect of these experiments is that growth stops at different stages of growth process, depending upon how much unimer is added in the seeded growth step. The system provides a model for studying spherulitic growth where real-time observations on their growth at different stages remains challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaofei Song
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Hang Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Shuyang Ye
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Jason Tam
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, 184 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E4, Canada
| | - Jane Y Howe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3H6, Canada.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, 184 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E4, Canada.,Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College St, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Ian Manners
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia, V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Mitchell A Winnik
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3H6, Canada.,Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College St, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E5, Canada
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Fennema Galparsoro D, Zhou X, Jaaloul A, Piccirilli F, Vetri V, Foderà V. Conformational Transitions upon Maturation Rule Surface and pH-Responsiveness of α-Lactalbumin Microparticulates. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:1876-1887. [PMID: 35014457 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
De novo designed protein supramolecular structures are nowadays attracting much interest as highly performing biomaterials. While a clear advantage is provided by the intrinsic biocompatibility and biodegradability of protein and peptide building blocks, developing sustainable and green bottom up approaches for finely tuning the material properties still remains a challenge. Here, we present an experimental study on the formation of protein microparticles in the form of particulates from the protein α-lactalbumin using bulk mixing in water solution and high temperature. Once formed, the structure and stability of these spherical protein condensates change upon further thermal incubation while the size of aggregates does not significantly increase. Combining advanced microscopy and spectroscopy methods, we prove that this process, named maturation, is characterized by a gradual increase of amyloid-like structure in protein particulates, an enhancement in surface roughness and in molecular compactness, providing a higher stability and resistance of the structure in acidic environments. When dissolved at pH 2, early stage particulates disassemble into a homogeneous population of small oligomers, while the late stage particulates remain unaffected. Particulates at the intermediate stage of maturation partially disassemble into a heterogeneous population of fragments. Importantly, differently matured microparticles show different features when loading a model lipophilic molecule. Our findings suggest conformational transitions localized at the interface as a key step in the maturation of amyloid protein condensates, promoting this phenomenon as an intrinsic knob to tailor the properties of protein microparticles formed via bulk mixing in aqueous solution. This provides a simple and sustainable platform for the design and realization of protein microparticles for tailored applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Fennema Galparsoro
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle scienze Edificio 18, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anas Jaaloul
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Federica Piccirilli
- CNR-IOM, Istituto Officina dei Materiali, Area Science Park - Basovizza, Strada Statale 14 km 163,5, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Valeria Vetri
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle scienze Edificio 18, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vito Foderà
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Sancataldo G, Avellone G, Vetri V. Nile Red lifetime reveals microplastic identity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2020; 22:2266-2275. [PMID: 33064112 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00348d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution is recognized as a worldwide environmental problem. The increasing daily use and release of plastics into the environment have led to the accumulation of fragmented microplastics, with potentially awful consequences for the environment, and animal and human health. The detection and identification of microplastics are of utmost importance, but available methods are still limited. In this work, a new approach is presented for the analysis of microplastics based on hydrophobic fluorescence staining with Nile Red, using spectrally resolved confocal fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). Significant differences were observed in the emission spectra and fluorescence lifetimes of the analyzed microplastics. Nile Red fluorescence shows determinable behavior based on the polymer matrix and provides a fingerprint for the identification of fragments from different types of plastics. Lifetime imaging coupled with phasor analysis constitutes a fast, robust, and straightforward method for mapping and identifying different microplastics within the same sample in an aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Sancataldo
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica - Emilio Segrè, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle scienze Edificio 18, 90128 Palermo, Italy
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