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Sebastiao M, Quittot N, Marcotte I, Bourgault S. Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer to Detect Plasma Membrane Perturbations in Giant Plasma Membrane Vesicles. Bio Protoc 2023; 13:e4838. [PMID: 37817901 PMCID: PMC10560696 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Disruptions and perturbations of the cellular plasma membrane by peptides have garnered significant interest in the elucidation of biological phenomena. Typically, these complex processes are studied using liposomes as model membranes-either by encapsulating a fluorescent dye or by other spectroscopic approaches, such as nuclear magnetic resonance. Despite incorporating physiologically relevant lipids, no synthetic model truly recapitulates the full complexity and molecular diversity of the plasma membrane. Here, biologically representative membrane models, giant plasma membrane vesicles (GPMVs), are prepared from eukaryotic cells by inducing a budding event with a chemical stressor. The GPMVs are then isolated, and bilayers are labelled with fluorescent lipophilic tracers and incubated in a microplate with a membrane-active peptide. As the membranes become damaged and/or aggregate, the resulting fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the two tracers increases and is measured periodically in a microplate. This approach offers a particularly useful way to detect perturbations when the membrane complexity is an important variable to consider. Additionally, it provides a way to kinetically detect damage to the plasma membrane, which can be correlated with the kinetics of peptide self-assembly or structural rearrangements. Key features • Allows testing of various peptide-membrane interaction conditions (peptide:phospholipid ratio, ionic strength, buffer, etc.) at once. • Uses intact plasma membrane vesicles that can be prepared from a variety of cell lines. • Can offer comparable throughput as with traditional synthetic lipid models (e.g., dye-encapsulated liposomes).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew Sebastiao
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- PROTEO, Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering, and Applications, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Noé Quittot
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Alzheimer Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Isabelle Marcotte
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- PROTEO, Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering, and Applications, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Steve Bourgault
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- PROTEO, Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering, and Applications, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Dusza HM, van Boxel J, van Duursen MBM, Forsberg MM, Legler J, Vähäkangas KH. Experimental human placental models for studying uptake, transport and toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 860:160403. [PMID: 36417947 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous in the environment and have recently been found in human lungs, blood and placenta. However, data on the possible effects of MNPs on human health is extremely scarce. The potential toxicity of MNPs during pregnancy, a period of increased susceptibility to environmental insults, is of particular concern. The placenta provides a unique interface between maternal and fetal circulation which is essential for in utero survival and healthy pregnancy. Placental toxicokinetics and toxicity of MNPs are still largely unexplored and the limited studies performed up to now focus mainly on polystyrene particles. Practical and ethical considerations limit research options in humans, and extrapolation from animal studies is challenging due to marked differences between species. Nevertheless, diverse in vitro and ex vivo human placental models exist e.g., plasma membrane vesicles, mono-culture and co-culture of placental cells, placenta-on-a-chip, villous tissue explants, and placental perfusion that can be used to advance this research area. The objective of this concise review is to recapitulate different human placental models, summarize the current understanding of placental uptake, transport and toxicity of MNPs and define knowledge gaps. Moreover, we provide perspectives for future research urgently needed to assess the potential hazards and risks of MNP exposure to maternal and fetal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna M Dusza
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Jeske van Boxel
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Majorie B M van Duursen
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Markus M Forsberg
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juliette Legler
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kirsi H Vähäkangas
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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Huang X, Hürlimann D, Spanke HT, Wu D, Skowicki M, Dinu IA, Dufresne ER, Palivan CG. Cell-Derived Vesicles with Increased Stability and On-Demand Functionality by Equipping Their Membrane with a Cross-Linkable Copolymer. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2202100. [PMID: 36208079 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Cell-derived vesicles retain the cytoplasm and much of the native cell membrane composition. Therefore, they are attractive for investigations of membrane biophysics, drug delivery systems, and complex molecular factories. However, their fragility and aggregation limit their applications. Here, the mechanical properties and stability of giant plasma membrane vesicles (GPMVs) are enhanced by decorating them with a specifically designed diblock copolymer, cholesteryl-poly[2-aminoethyl methacrylate-b-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate]. When cross-linked, this polymer brush enhances the stability of the GPMVs. Furthermore, the pH-responsiveness of the copolymer layer allows for a controlled cargo loading/release, which may enable various bioapplications. Importantly, the cross-linked-copolymer GPMVs are not cytotoxic and preserve in vitro membrane integrity and functionality. This effective strategy to equip the cell-derived vesicles with stimuli-responsive cross-linkable copolymers is expected to open a new route to the stabilization of natural membrane systems and overcome barriers to biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinan Huang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR1096, Mattenstrasse 24a, Basel, 4058, Switzerland
| | - Dimitri Hürlimann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR1096, Mattenstrasse 24a, Basel, 4058, Switzerland.,NCCR-Molecular Systems Engineering, BPR1095, Mattenstrasse 24a, Basel, 4058, Switzerland
| | - Hendrik T Spanke
- Laboratory for Soft and Living Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Dalin Wu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR1096, Mattenstrasse 24a, Basel, 4058, Switzerland
| | - Michal Skowicki
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR1096, Mattenstrasse 24a, Basel, 4058, Switzerland.,NCCR-Molecular Systems Engineering, BPR1095, Mattenstrasse 24a, Basel, 4058, Switzerland
| | - Ionel Adrian Dinu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR1096, Mattenstrasse 24a, Basel, 4058, Switzerland.,NCCR-Molecular Systems Engineering, BPR1095, Mattenstrasse 24a, Basel, 4058, Switzerland
| | - Eric R Dufresne
- Laboratory for Soft and Living Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia G Palivan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR1096, Mattenstrasse 24a, Basel, 4058, Switzerland.,NCCR-Molecular Systems Engineering, BPR1095, Mattenstrasse 24a, Basel, 4058, Switzerland
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Wong CW, Han HW, Hsu SH. Changes of cell membrane fluidity for mesenchymal stem cell spheroids on biomaterial surfaces. World J Stem Cells 2022; 14:616-632. [PMID: 36157913 PMCID: PMC9453270 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v14.i8.616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the form of three-dimensional spheroids has been extensively demonstrated. The underlying mechanisms for the altered cellular behavior of spheroids have also been investigated. Cell membrane fluidity is a critically important physical property for the regulation of cell behavior, but it has not been studied for the spheroid-forming cells to date.
AIM To explore the association between cell membrane fluidity and the morphological changes of MSC spheroids on the surface of biomaterials to elucidate the role of membrane fluidity during the spheroid-forming process of MSCs.
METHODS We generated three-dimensional (3D) MSC spheroids on the surface of various culture substrates including chitosan (CS), CS-hyaluronan (CS-HA), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) substrates. The cell membrane fluidity and cell morphological change were examined by a time-lapse recording system as well as a high-resolution 3D cellular image explorer. MSCs and normal/cancer cells were pre-stained with fluorescent dyes and co-cultured on the biomaterials to investigate the exchange of cell membrane during the formation of heterogeneous cellular spheroids.
RESULTS We discovered that vesicle-like bubbles randomly appeared on the outer layer of MSC spheroids cultured on different biomaterial surfaces. The average diameter of the vesicle-like bubbles of MSC spheroids on CS-HA at 37 °C was approximately 10 μm, smaller than that on PVA substrates (approximately 27 μm). Based on time-lapse images, these unique bubbles originated from the dynamic movement of the cell membrane during spheroid formation, which indicated an increment of membrane fluidity for MSCs cultured on these substrates. Moreover, the membrane interaction in two different types of cells with similar membrane fluidity may further induce a higher level of membrane translocation during the formation of heterogeneous spheroids.
CONCLUSION Changes in cell membrane fluidity may be a novel path to elucidate the complicated physiological alterations in 3D spheroid-forming cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chui-Wei Wong
- National Taiwan University, Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Wei Han
- National Taiwan University, Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Shan-hui Hsu
- National Taiwan University, Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
- National Health Research Institutes, Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, Miaoli 350, Taiwan
- National Taiwan University, Research and Development Center for Medical Devices, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
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Sezgin E. Giant plasma membrane vesicles to study plasma membrane structure and dynamics. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2022; 1864:183857. [PMID: 34990591 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2021.183857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The plasma membrane (PM) is a highly heterogenous structure intertwined with the cortical actin cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix. This complex architecture makes it difficult to study the processes taking place at the PM. Model membrane systems that are simple mimics of the PM overcome this bottleneck and allow us to study the biophysical principles underlying the processes at the PM. Among them, cell-derived giant plasma membrane vesicles (GPMVs) are considered the most physiologically relevant system, retaining the compositional complexity of the PM to a large extent. GPMVs have become a key tool in membrane research in the last few years. In this review, I will provide a brief overview of this system, summarize recent applications and discuss the limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erdinc Sezgin
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Solna, Sweden.
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Zhao Z, Bian Z, Chen Y, Xie Z, Kang C, Gao L, Zhu G. Self-assembly of chiral foldamers with alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic side chains into acid-sensitive and solvent-exchangeable vesicular particles. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:10073-10079. [PMID: 34714902 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01321a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
It is difficult for the same molecule to self-assemble into stable vesicular particles in water and aliphatic hydrocarbon (oil), respectively. Here we demonstrated that chiral oligo(methylene-p-phenyleneethynylene)s with alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic side chains were able to self-assemble into vesicular particles independent of solvent polarity. These particles were well dispersed in aliphatic hydrocarbon, alcohol or water for at least one month at room temperature, and readily transferred from organic to aqueous phases via dialysis. They displayed a noticeable response to the acidity of the aqueous phase, and could be used as simple cargos for loading hydrophilic or hydrophobic molecules in aqueous cores, which were different from loading in polymersomes. The vesicular particles loaded with hydrophobic paclitaxel exhibited comparable anti-HeLa cell activity to free paclitaxel in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, 130022, Changchun, China.
- University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
| | - Zheng Bian
- Key Laboratory of Polyoxometalate Science of the Ministry of Education, Faculty of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, 130024, Changchun, China.
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, 130022, Changchun, China.
| | - Zhigang Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, 130022, Changchun, China.
- University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
| | - Chuanqing Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, 130022, Changchun, China.
- University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
| | - Lianxun Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, 130022, Changchun, China.
- University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
| | - Guangshan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Polyoxometalate Science of the Ministry of Education, Faculty of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, 130024, Changchun, China.
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Monteiro MJ, Cunningham MF. Polymer Colloids: Synthesis Fundamentals to Applications. Biomacromolecules 2021; 21:4377-4378. [PMID: 33161722 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c01462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This special issue of Biomacromolecules highlights research from The International Polymer Colloid Group (IPCG), which was founded in 1972 as a forum for the exchange of ideas and emerging research activities for scientists and engineers from both academia and industry who study or use polymer colloids. The increasing relevance of polymeric structures with colloidal dimensions to biomacromolecules research provided the impetus for organizing this special issue. The IPCG is composed of over 120 researchers from over 20 countries who are elected to membership. Activities comprise annual symposia including a biennial International Polymer Colloid Group Research Conference and a semiannual newsletter that incorporates a summary of recent (including unpublished) research results from our members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Monteiro
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Michael F Cunningham
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Queen's University, Kinston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6
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Webber MJ, Kamat NP, Messersmith PB, Lecommandoux S. Bioinspired Macromolecular Materials. Biomacromolecules 2021; 22:1-3. [PMID: 33423474 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c01614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Webber
- University of Notre Dame, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Neha P Kamat
- Northwestern University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Phillip B Messersmith
- University of California Berkeley, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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