In vitro fusion of rabbit liver Golgi membranes with liposomes

Probing and manipulating intracellular membrane traffic by microinjection of artificial vesicles

There is still a large gap in our understanding between the functional complexity of cells and the reconstruction of partial cellular functions in vitro from purified or engineered parts. Here we have introduced artificial vesicles of defined composition into living cells to probe the capacity of the cellular cytoplasm in dealing with foreign material and to develop tools for the directed manipulation of cellular functions. Our data show that protein-free liposomes, after variable delay times, are captured by the Golgi apparatus that is reached either by random diffusion or, in the case of large unilamellar vesicles, by microtubule-dependent transport via a dynactin/dynein motor complex. However, insertion of early endosomal SNARE proteins suffices to convert liposomes into trafficking vesicles that dock and fuse with early endosomes, thus overriding the default pathway to the Golgi. Moreover, such liposomes can be directed to mitochondria expressing simple artificial affinity tags, which can also be employed to divert endogenous trafficking vesicles. In addition, fusion or subsequent acidification of liposomes can be monitored by incorporation of appropriate chemical sensors. This approach provides an opportunity for probing and manipulating cellular functions that cannot be addressed by conventional genetic approaches. We conclude that the cellular cytoplasm has a remarkable capacity for self-organization and that introduction of such macromolecular complexes may advance nanoengineering of eukaryotic cells.

Fusion of Boar Sperm with Nanoliposomes Prepared from Synthetic Phospholipids

Liposomes are artificial membrane vesicles that can be used to test and model the functions and interactions of various biological membranes, or as a carrier system to deliver biologically active substances into the cells, or to incorporate lipids into the plasma membrane of target cells to modify membrane structure-function relationships. Sperm plasma membrane undergoes lipid modification during maturation in epididymis and during capacitation in the female reproductive tract to facilitate fertilization. Natural variation in the amounts and composition of lipids in the sperm plasma membrane may also contribute to the species-specific sperm sensitivities to handling and storage conditions. Boar sperm are notoriously susceptible to membrane damage and are resistant to compositional alteration by artificial liposomes. This study used flow cytometry to demonstrate stable incorporation of nanoliposomes prepared from a complex mixture of various phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine : phosphatidylethanolamine : sphingomyelin : phosphatidylserine : phosphatidylinositol) with high fusion efficiency. Over 90% of sperm rapidly took up fluorescently labelled liposomes and retained the lipids for at least 60 min, in a significant time- and concentration-dependent manner. This unique fusion efficacy could be used to alter sperm plasma membrane composition and hence membrane-based functional responses.

Cholesterol, regulated exocytosis and the physiological fusion machine

Exocytosis is a highly conserved and essential process. Although numerous proteins are involved throughout the exocytotic process, the defining membrane fusion step appears to occur through a lipid-dominated mechanism. Here we review and integrate the current literature on protein and lipid roles in exocytosis, with emphasis on the multiple roles of cholesterol in exocytosis and membrane fusion, in an effort to promote a more molecular systems-level view of the as yet poorly understood process of Ca2+-triggered membrane mergers.

Revisiting the role of SNAREs in exocytosis and membrane fusion

For over a decade SNARE hypotheses have been proposed to explain the mechanism of membrane fusion, yet the field still lacks sufficient evidence to conclusively identify the minimal components of native fusion. Consequently, debate concerning the postulated role(s) of SNAREs in membrane fusion continues. The focus of this review is to revisit original literature with a current perspective. Our analysis begins with the earliest studies of clostridial toxins, leading to various cellular and molecular approaches that have been used to test for the roles of SNAREs in exocytosis. We place much emphasis on distinguishing between specific effects on membrane fusion and effects on other critical steps in exocytosis. Although many systems can be used to study exocytosis, few permit selective access to specific steps in the pathway, such as membrane fusion. Thus, while SNARE proteins are essential to the physiology of exocytosis, assay limitations often prevent definitive conclusions concerning the molecular mechanism of membrane fusion. In all, the SNAREs are more likely to function upstream as modulators or priming factors of fusion.

In vitro fusion of plant Golgi membranes can be influenced by divalent cations

The fusogenic activity of plant Golgi membranes was studied in a cell-free system by assaying lipid mixing and content leakages of fluorescence probes. Golgi membranes from mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) hypocotyl cells fused to liposomes in the absence of any cytosolic proteins and nucleotides. It was demonstrated that the fusion was mediated by integral membrane protein(s), and was influenced by divalent cations (mm). Mg(2+), Ca(2+), and Mn(2+) ions enhanced the lipid mixing by reducing repulsive forces between membranes. In the content leakage assay, Mg(2+) ions also showed a stimulative effect. However, other divalent cations were inhibitory. It is suggested that the fusion system of Golgi membranes comprises at least two components: one that mediates the formation of fusion intermediates prior to pore opening, and one that mediates the subsequent processes. The latter must be sensitive to divalent cations at millimolar concentrations. The fusion of Golgi and biological membranes was induced by divalent cations. We speculated about the biological role of the fusion system studied here.

Trafficking of surface-linked and encapsulated liposomal antigens in macrophages: an immunocytochemical study

Liposomal antigens are potent adjuvants of humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Although this property requires as an essential condition a physical association between the antigen and the phospholipid vehicle, the nature of the association, i.e., encapsulation or surface linkage, markedly influences the outcome of the elicited response. Available evidence suggests that macrophages are involved in this fine tuning of the immune response in a manner that is not yet clearly established. It is postulated that this might be related to their capacity to interact differently with surface-linked and encapsulated formulations. Using conalbumin as a model antigen, we address the question by analyzing the movements of encapsulated and surface-linked antigen as well as those of MHC-II molecules in macrophages in a pulse-chase immunoelectron microscopic study carried out over a 24-hr period. The antigen was followed using a polyclonal serum specifically raised against fragmented conalbumin (fCA) that allows the detection of processed antigen and of some MHC-peptide complexes. The results indicate that, in macrophages, the two liposomal formulations affect macrophage morphology in distinct ways and circulate through the various subcellular compartments with different kinetics. On the basis of the overall results, we conclude that surface-linked antigen gains access less readily to the endogenous presentation pathway than encapsulated antigen but can favor a more sustained activation of the immune system through its production of exosome-like structures and its more thorough utilization of the MHC-II pathway.

Acidic pH generated by H+-ATPase pumps triggers the activity of a fusogenic protein associated with rat liver endoplasmic reticulum

Fusogenic protein (FP) is a glycoprotein ( approximately 50 kDa), previously purified by us from rat liver endoplasmic reticulum, which explicates fusogenic activity at acidic pH in vitro. To suggest a possible role of FP in membrane fusion, the topology of the protein in the membrane and the conditions in which FP is operating in microsomes have been investigated. Anti-FP polyclonal antibodies inhibited pure FP activity, but not the protein activity in microsomes, suggesting interaction of antibodies with a part of FP concealed in intact membranes. FP activity in microsomes was lost after treatment with Pronase. Western blot analysis of Pronase-treated microsomes showed that the proteolysis removed a fragment ( approximately 5 kDa). This fragment is exposed on the outer surface of microsomes and involved in fusogenic activity, whereas the largest part of FP is embedded in microsomal vesicles. Therefore, FP can be affected by modifications on the cytosolic and luminal sides of microsomal membranes. Indeed, when microsomal lumen was acidified by H+-ATPase activity, binding and fusion of fluorescent labelled liposomes to microsomes occurred. Direct involvement of FP in the fusogenic event was observed by reconstituting pure FP in liposomes with a preformed H+ gradient. FP triggered a fusion process in response to the acidic interior of liposomes, despite an exterior 7.4 pH unable to promote fusogenic protein activity. As intracellular membrane fusion occurs at neutral pH involving the cytosolic sides of membranes, FP may participate in this event by exploiting the acidic pH formed in the lumen of endoplasmic reticulum through H+-translocating ATPase activity.

Delivery of lipids and liposomal proteins to the cytoplasm and Golgi of antigen-presenting cells. mangala.rao@na.amedd.army.mil

Liposomes have the well-known ability to channel protein and peptide antigens into the MHC class II pathway of phagocytic antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and thereby enhance the induction of antibodies and antigen-specific T cell proliferative responses. Liposomes also serve as an efficient delivery system for entry of exogenous protein and peptide antigens into the MHC class I pathway and thus are very efficient inducers of cytotoxic T cell responses. Soluble antigens that are rendered particulate by encapsulation in liposomes are localized both in vacuoles and in the cytoplasm of bone marrow-derived macrophages. Utilizing fluorophore-labeled proteins encapsulated in liposomes we have addressed the question of how liposomal antigens enter the MHC class I pathway. After phagocytosis of the liposomes, the fluorescent liposomal protein and liposomal lipids enter the cytoplasm where they are processed by the proteasome complex. The processed liposomal protein is then transported via the TAP complex into the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex. Both the liposomal lipids and the liposomal proteins appear to follow the same intracellular route and they are processed as a protein-lipid unit. In the absence of a protein antigen (empty liposomes), there is no organelle-specific localization of the liposomal lipids. In contrast, when a protein is encapsulated in these liposomes, the distribution of the liposomal lipids is dramatically affected and the liposomal lipids localize to the trans-Golgi area. Localization of the protein in the trans-Golgi area requires liposomal lipids. Similarly, for the localization of liposomal lipids in the trans-Golgi area, there is an obligatory requirement for protein. Therefore, the intracellular trafficking patterns of liposomal lipids and liposomal protein are reciprocally regulated. Presence of both liposomal lipids and liposomal protein in the trans-Golgi therefore facilitates the entry of liposomal antigens into the MHC class I pathway. It is also possible that liposomal lipids are presented to T cells via the recently described CD1 pathway for lipid antigens. Because liposome-formulated vaccines have the potential to stimulate antibody as well as cellular immune responses to protein and lipid components, this approach could prove to be extremely useful in designing vaccine strategies.

Trafficking of liposomal antigen to the trans-Golgi of murine macrophages requires both liposomal lipid and liposomal protein

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules found on antigen-presenting cells present peptides derived from cytoplasmic proteins to T cells. In contrast, peptides from exogenous proteins are mostly presented by class II molecules. It has been well established that liposomes can serve as an efficient delivery system for entry of exogenous protein antigens into the MHC class I pathway. Our previous studies utilizing fluorophore-labeled proteins encapsulated in liposomes demonstrated that after phagocytosis of the liposomes by bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMs), the processed peptides were subsequently visualized in the trans-Golgi, while free conalbumin was excluded from the trans-Golgi area. In the present study, we investigated whether liposomal lipids follow the same intracellular route as the liposomal proteins after phagocytosis by BMs. Multilamellar liposomes with different lipid compositions that also contained fluorescent phospholipids (empty liposomes) were incubated with murine BMs. Our results indicate that although empty liposomes were avidly phagocytosed by macrophages, the fluorescent liposomal lipids did not localize to any particular area of the cell but were distributed throughout the cell. In contrast, when a protein was encapsulated in the liposomes, the liposomal lipids were no longer dispersed throughout the cell, but were concentrated and localized in the trans-Golgi area. Furthermore, when the liposomes contained a fluorescent-labeled protein, the fluorescent peptides also localized to the trans-Golgi. These results demonstrate that the combination of both liposomal lipids and liposomal protein is required for Golgi-specific targeting of liposomal antigens. Transport of both liposomal lipids and liposomal proteins to the Golgi complex, a major subcellular organelle in the passage of MHC class I molecules, might explain why antigens encapsulated in liposomes readily induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

In vitro fusion of reticulocyte endocytic vesicles with liposomes

Since reticulocytes have a high demand for iron, which is required for heme biosynthesis, these cells are highly specialized in the endocytosis of the iron carrier transferrin (Tf). From the resulting endocytic vesicles (EVs), iron is released and the vesicles rapidly return to the cell membrane where they fuse, causing the release of the apotransferrin. Due to a lack of other intracellular compartments, the endocytic vesicles can be readily isolated. In this study, we have investigated the fusogenic properties of EVs, using liposomes as target membranes. Membrane fusion was monitored by a lipid mixing assay based on the relief of fluorescence self-quenching, using octadecylrhodamine B-chloride (R18). Application of this procedure was verified and solidified by analysis of the fusion event by an independent lipid mixing assay, after in situ labeling of EVs, and by determination of the mixing of aqueous contents. We demonstrate that the endocytic vesicles are particularly prone to fuse with target membranes that contain dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). Relative to DOPE, bilayers composed of phosphatidylserine or phosphatidylcholine show a reduced fusion activity with EV. The specific and strong inhibition of fusion by cyclosporin A and a peptide known to interfere with the propensity of DOPE to adopt the hexagonal HII phase suggests that the mechanism of fusion involves the ability of this lipid to readily adopt non-bilayer phases. ATP, GTP, and/or cytosol are not necessary to obtain fusion. However, trypsin treatment of the endocytic vesicles inhibits fusion, indicating the involvement of (a) protein(s) in the fusion event.

Liposomal vaccines: clinical status and immunological presentation for humoral and cellular immunity

Liposomes have been proposed as vehicles for vaccines against parasitic and viral illnesses. Experimental vaccines against malaria, HIV, hepatitis A, and influenza virus have been shown to be safe and highly immunogenic in several human trials. Analysis of the intracellular trafficking patterns of liposomal antigen reveals that after being phagocytosed by macrophages, liposomal antigen readily escapes from endosomes into the cytoplasm of the macrophages. It is proposed that liposomal peptide antigen can enter either the Golgi apparatus or the endoplasmic reticulum and thereby interact with MHC class II or class I molecules. The intracellular cytoplasmic trafficking patterns of liposomal antigens raise the possibility that liposomes may have utility in human vaccines for induction of either humoral immunity or cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Interaction of phospholipids with proteins and peptides. New advances IV

1. The review deals with the newest achievements in the field of the various interactions between phospholipids and proteins and peptides. 2. Interactions are classified according to the hydrophobic, hydrophilic or mixed character of the interactive forces. 3. The effect of the interaction on the structure and biological activity of the interacting molecular assemblies is also discussed.