Temperature-responsive size-exclusion chromatography using poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) grafted silica

Combination of Three Functionalized Temperature-Sensitive Chromatographic Materials for Serum Protein Analysis

We have developed a methodology to capture acidic proteins, alkaline proteins, and glycoproteins separately in mouse serum using a combination of three functionalized temperature-responsive chromatographic stationary phases. The temperature-responsive polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) was attached to the stationary phase, silica. The three temperature-responsive chromatographic stationary phase materials were prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. Alkaline, acidic, and boric acid functional groups were introduced to capture acidic proteins, alkaline proteins, and glycoproteins, respectively. The protein enrichment and release properties of the materials were examined using the acidic protein, bovine serum albumin; the alkaline protein, protamine; and the glycoprotein, horseradish peroxidase. Finally, the three materials were used to analyze mouse serum. Without switching the mobile phase, the capture and separation of mouse serum was achieved by the combination of three temperature-responsive chromatographic stationary phase materials. On the whole, 313 proteins were identified successfully. The number of different proteins identified using the new method was 1.46 times greater than the number of proteins that has been identified without applying this method. To our knowledge, this method is the first combinatorial use of three functionalized temperature-responsive chromatographic stationary phase silica materials to separate proteins in mouse serum.

Highly hydrophilic polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-containing aptamer-modified affinity hybrid monolith for efficient on-column discrimination with low nonspecific adsorption

A highly hydrophilic aptamer-modified POSS-containing hybrid affinity monolith is presented for efficient on-column discrimination with low non-specific adsorption.

Exploring the Behavior of Bovine Serum Albumin in Response to Changes in the Chemical Composition of Responsive Polymers: Experimental and Simulation Studies

Knowledge of the interactions between polymer and protein is very important to fabricate the potential materials for many bio-related applications. In this regard, the present work investigated the effect of copolymers on the conformation and thermal stability of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with the aid of biophysical techniques such as fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In comparison with that of copolymer PGA-1.5, our fluorescence spectroscopy results reveal that the copolymer PGA-1, which has a lower PEGMA/AA ratio, shows greater influence on the conformation of BSA. Copolymers induced unfolding of the polypeptide chain of BSA, which was confirmed from the loss in the negative ellipticity of CD spectra. DSC results showed that the addition of PGA-1 and PGA-1.5 (0.05% (w/v) decreased the transition temperature by 14.8 and 11.5 °C, respectively). The results from the present study on the behavior of protein in response to changes in the chemical composition of synthetic polymers are significant for various biological applications such as enzyme immobilization, protein separations, sensor development and stimuli-responsive systems.

Synthesis and Characterization of New Functional Photo Cross-Linkable Smart Polymers Containing Vanillin Derivatives

The synthesis of new functional monomers based on vanillin is reported. The monomers further were used in the synthesis of different temperature-responsive photo cross-linkable polymers via free radical polymerization with N-isopropyl acrylamide and a maleimide photo cross-linker. These polymers were characterized by NMR, FTIR and UV spectroscopy, as well as gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Critical solution temperatures were determined by UV spectroscopy. Hydrogel thin films were formed by spin coating of a polymer solution over gold with adhesion promotor followed by cross-linking by UV irradiation. The swelling properties were determined by surface plasmon resonance coupled with optical waveguide spectroscopy. The swelling behavior of the hydrogel films was determined as a function of temperature. The incorporation of a dialkyl amino group compensated the hydrophobic effect of the vanillin monomer. Transition temperatures in the physiological range could be obtained.

Thermo responsive ultrafiltration membranes of grafted poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) via polydopamine

Thermoresponsive membranes with good antifouling ability and rejection performance were prepared via mussel inspired PNIPAm grafting.

25th anniversary article: Dynamic interfaces for responsive encapsulation systems

Encapsulation systems are urgently needed both as micrometer and sub-micrometer capsules for active chemicals' delivery, to encapsulate biological objects and capsules immobilized on surfaces for a wide variety of advanced applications. Methods for encapsulation, prolonged storage and controllable release are discussed in this review. Formation of stimuli responsive systems via layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly, as well as via mobile chemical bonding (hydrogen bonds, chemisorptions) and formation of special dynamic stoppers are presented. The most essential advances of the systems presented are multifunctionality and responsiveness to a multitude of stimuli - the possibility of formation of multi-modal systems. Specific examples of advanced applications - drug delivery, diagnostics, tissue engineering, lab-on-chip and organ-on-chip, bio-sensors, membranes, templates for synthesis, optical systems, and antifouling, self-healing materials and coatings - are provided. Finally, we try to outline emerging developments.

Temperature-responsive chromatography for the separation of biomolecules

Temperature-responsive chromatography for the separation of biomolecules utilizing poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and its copolymer-modified stationary phase is performed with an aqueous mobile phase without using organic solvent. The surface properties and function of the stationary phase are controlled by external temperature changes without changing the mobile-phase composition. This analytical system is based on nonspecific adsorption by the reversible transition of a hydrophilic-hydrophobic PNIPAAm-grafted surface. The driving force for retention is hydrophobic interaction between the solute molecules and the hydrophobized polymer chains on the stationary phase surface. The separation of the biomolecules, such as nucleotides and proteins was achieved by a dual temperature- and pH-responsive chromatography system. The electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions could be modulated simultaneously with the temperature in an aqueous mobile phase, thus the separation system would have potential applications in the separation of biomolecules. Additionally, chromatographic matrices prepared by a surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) exhibit a strong interaction with analytes, because the polymerization procedure forms a densely packed polymer, called a polymer brush, on the surfaces. The copolymer brush grafted surfaces prepared by ATRP was an effective tool for separating basic biomolecules by modulating the electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. Applications of thermally responsive columns for the separations of biomolecules are reviewed here.

The critical role of mobile phase composition in size exclusion chromatography of protein pharmaceuticals

Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) is the most widely used method for aggregation analysis of pharmaceutical proteins. However SEC analysis has a number of limitations, and one of the most important ones is protein adsorption to the resin. This problem is particularly severe when using new columns, and often column preconditioning protocols are required. This review focuses on the role that addition of various cosolvents to the mobile phase plays in suppressing that protein adsorption. Cosolvents such as salt, amino acids, and organic solvents are often used for this purpose. Because the protein interaction with the resin surface is highly heterogeneous, different cosolvents affect the protein adsorption differently. We will summarize the various effects of cosolvents on protein adsorption and retention and describe the mechanism of the cosolvent effects.

Protein resistance of PNIPAAm brushes: application to switchable protein adsorption

Protein adsorption, as the primary process occurring when a foreign surface comes into contact with a biosystem, was studied on thin polymer brush films consisting of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP). These films were prepared by the "grafting to" method. The protein resistance of stimuli responsive PNIPAAm-brushes toward serum albumin was recorded and compared with protein adsorption on P2VP brushes. To achieve a better understanding of protein resistance, PNIPAAm brushes with different molecular weights were investigated below and above the lower critical solution temperature of 32 degrees C. To use these findings for the adjustment and switching of protein adsorption, in a first attempt the adsorption on a mixed brush system consisting of PNIPAAm and P2VP chains was studied. This system showed temperature-dependent adsorption behavior due to the presence of PNIPAAm, representing a smart surface with stimuli-responsive changes in the physicochemical surface properties. With this mixed brush, the adsorbed amount of protein could be controlled, depending on composition and the temperature of the surroundings.

Macroporous chitosan layer coated on non-porous silica gel as a support for metal chelate affinity chromatographic adsorbent

A new immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) matrix was prepared by coordinating Cu2+ with cross-linked chitosan coated on non-porous silica gel (Cu-CTS-SiO2). Macroporous structure could be formed on the coated layer by imprinting polyethylene glycol (PEG) in chitosan film. The surface morphology changes on Cu-CTS-SiO2 bead prepared in different condition were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Effects of chitosan and PEG content in coating solution, the molecular mass of PEG on the surface macropore formation and adsorption capacity of bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated. Results indicated that coating solution with 2% chitosan and 10% PEG 20000 was optimal. Batch experiments were also conducted for elucidating the optimal pH, the adsorption isotherm and adsorption kinetics of BSA. Adsorption isotherm of trypsin on the same adsorbent was also performed. Results showed that the support itself had low non-specific interaction with both BSA and trypsin. The maximum adsorption capacity for BSA and trypsin on the prepared IMAC adsorbent could reach 192 mg and 5000 IU, respectively calculated by every gram of chitosan. The binding and eluting condition for BSA were tested on column filled with the adsorbent. Crude BSA sample could be purified on the IMAC column.

Effect of surface grafted polymers on the adsorption of different model proteins

Adsorption of a model protein to a surface with end-grafted polymers was studied by Monte Carlo simulations. In the model the effect on protein adsorption in the presence of end-grafted polymers was evaluated by calculating the change in free energy between an end-grafted surface and a surface without polymers. The change in free energy was calculated using statistical mechanical perturbation theory. Apart from ordinary athermal polymer-polymer and protein-polymer interactions we also study a broad selection of systems by varying the interaction between proteins and polymers and effective polymer-solvent interactions. The interactions between the molecules span an interval from -0.5 to +0.5 kT. Consequently, general features of protein adsorption to end-grafted surfaces is investigated by systematically changing properties like hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the polymer, protein and surface as well as grafting density, degree of polymerization and protein size. Increasing grafting density as well as degree of polymerization decreases the adsorption of protein except in systems with attractive polymer-protein interactions, where adsorption increases with increasing chain length and higher grafting density. At a critical polymer-protein interaction neither chain length nor grafting density affects the free energy of adsorption. Hydrophilic polymers were found to prevent adsorption better than hydrophobic polymers. Very small particles with radii comparable to the size of a polymer segment were, however, better excluded from the surface when using hydrophobic than hydrophilic polymers. For systems with attractive polymer-protein interaction not only the volume of the protein was shown to be of importance but also the size of the exposed surface.

Insulin adsorption on coated silica based supports grafted with N-acetylglucosamine by liquid affinity chromatography

Silica beads are coated with dextran carrying a calculated amount of positively charged diethylassminoethyl groups (DEAE) in order to neutralize negative charged silanol groups at the silica surface and in this way to minimize non specific interactions between silica surface and proteins in solution. Dextran-coated silica supports are potentially excellent stationary phases for high-performance liquid chromatography of proteins. These supports combine the advantages of polysaccharide phases with the excellent mechanical characteristics of silica. These supports (silica-dextran-DEAE = SID) are easily functionalized by grafting N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) using conventional coupling methods. The performances of the support bearing GlcNAc are studied by high-performance liquid affinity chromatography (HPLAC) of insulin, the hypoglycemic peptide hormone of the human organism. The study shows that these supports exhibit a reversible and specific affinity towards insulin and allow separations with high purification yields. Moreover, the influence of different physico-chemical parameters (pH, NaCl and insulin concentration) on insulin retention on the support was analysed. This allowed us to optimize the conditions of adsorption and to better understand the interaction mechanisms between insulin and GlcNAc as biospecific ligand.

Binding of amino acids to "smart" sorbents: where does hydrophobicity come into play?

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA)-based sorbents have been successfully used as sorbents in temperature-sensitive chromatography. Yet, the mechanisms controlling the binding of biochemicals to these sorbents and, therefore, the separation process are not fully understood. In the current work, the role of hydrophobic interactions in the binding of amino acids of different hydrophobicities to PNIPA microgels was studied. Binding experiments were conducted both below (25 degrees C) and above (37 degrees C) the volume-phase transition temperature of the gel. At 25 degrees C, no straightforward correlation between the partition coefficient and the hydrophobicity could be suggested for low hydrophobicity values. Contrary, at higher hydrophobicities the partition coefficient increases with increasing hydrophobicity. This correlation holds for the whole hydrophobicity range at 37 degrees C; however, the binding data suggests two different binding mechanisms of the hydrophilic amino acids and the hydrophobic ones. Isothermal titration calorimetry measurements confirmed this suggestion: The binding of hydrophobic amino acids seems to be driven by hydrophobic interactions, as evident from the positive binding enthalpy and the clear correlation between the amino acid's hydrophobicity and the binding entropy. Contrary, the binding of the hydrophilic amino acids was exothermic, implying a binding mechanism based on specific interactions, most probably hydrogen bonding.

Programmed adsorption and release of proteins in a microfluidic device

A microfluidic device has been developed that can adsorb proteins from solution, hold them with negligible denaturation, and release them on command. The active element in the device is a 4-nanometer-thick polymer film that can be thermally switched between an antifouling hydrophilic state and a protein-adsorbing state that is more hydrophobic. This active polymer has been integrated into a microfluidic hot plate that can be programmed to adsorb and desorb protein monolayers in less than 1 second. The rapid response characteristics of the device can be manipulated for proteomic functions, including preconcentration and separation of soluble proteins on an integrated fluidics chip.

Plasma polymerized N-isopropylacrylamide: synthesis and characterization of a smart thermally responsive coating

A lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in an aqueous environment has been observed with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) deposited onto solid surfaces from a plasma glow discharge of NIPAM vapor. The synthesis and spectroscopic data (ESCA, FTIR) for the plasma polymerized NIPAM (ppNIPAM) shows a remarkable retention of the monomer structure. The phase transition at 29 degrees C was measured by a novel AFM method. The phase transition was surprising because of the expectation that the plasma environment would destroy the specific NIPAM structure associated with the thermal responsiveness. The phase change of ppNIPAM is also responsible for the changes in the level of the meniscus when coated capillaries are placed in warm and cold water. Plasma polymerization of NIPAM represents a one-step method to fabricate thermally responsive coatings on real-world biomaterials without the need for specially prepared substrates and functionalized polymers.

Size exclusion behavior of hydroxypropylcellulose beads with temperature-dependent porosity

Beads prepared from a thermosensitive polymer, hydroxypropylcellulose, exhibit temperature-dependent porosity. At temperatures below 40 degrees C the beads are swollen having large pores, while at temperatures above 45 degrees C the beads are in a shrunken state having smaller pores. In the presence of 1 M NaCl the transition temperature decreased to about 30 degrees C. In a swollen state the size of pore is large enough to accommodate lysozyme (mol. mass 14400) and alpha-chymotrypsin (mol. mass 21600) but not bovine serum albumin (mol. mass 67000). When the beads are shrunken, all the proteins are eluted from the column packed with hydroxypropylcellulose beads in the volume close to the void volume of the column.

Native purification of biomolecules with temperature-mediated hydrophobic modulation liquid chromatography

The high-resolution purification of native enzymes is impeded by the limitations in the mobile-phase choices required for conventional hydrophobic separations such as in reverse-phase chromatography. To avoid problems associated with varying the composition of the mobile phase, we developed a stationary phase with a hydrophobicity that can be modulated by slight variations in temperature to bind and elute biomolecules. This chromatographic matrix was tested on nucleotide analogs, amino acids, and protein samples. Visualization of the temperature-dependent hydrophobic interaction with the chromatographic matrix was performed with fluorescence microscopy of CY3-ATP. Amino acids adsorbed to the column according to their known hydrophobicities, confirming the hydrophobic nature of their interaction with the matrix. Biomolecules were separated by modulating the hydrophobicity of the column matrix with slight adjustments to the running temperature between 22 and 37 degrees C without changing the mobile phase. Freedom in the choice of a mobile phase for both the loading and the elution of samples provides great practical advantages by eliminating the need for buffer-exchange steps and allowing more native conditions for purifying delicate enzymes, such as myosin.