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Batistatou N, Kritzer JA. Recent advances in methods for quantifying the cell penetration of macromolecules. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2024; 81:102501. [PMID: 39024686 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2024.102501] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
As the landscape of macromolecule therapeutics advances, drug developers are continuing to aim at intracellular targets. To activate, inhibit, or degrade these targets, the macromolecule must be delivered efficiently to intracellular compartments. Quite often, there is a discrepancy between binding affinity in biochemical assays and activity in cell-based assays. Identifying the bottleneck for cell-based activity requires robust assays that quantify total cellular uptake and/or cytosolic delivery. Recognizing this need, chemical biologists have designed a plethora of assays to make this measurement, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages. In this review, we describe the latest and most promising developments in the last 3 to 4 years.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joshua A Kritzer
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford MA 02155, USA.
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2
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Jaikishan S, Lavainne M, Ravald HK, Scobbie K, Dusa F, Maheswari R, Turpeinen J, Eikemans I, Chen R, Rantala J, Aseyev V, Maier NN, Wiedmer SK. Fragment-based approach to study fungicide-biomimetic membrane interactions. SOFT MATTER 2024. [PMID: 39012330 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00648h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
In this study, the molecular interactions of the allylamine-type fungicide butenafine and a set of substructures ("fragments") with liposomes mimicking biological membranes were studied to gain a better understanding of the structural factors governing membrane affinity and perturbation. Specifically, drug/fragment-membrane interactions were investigated using an interdisciplinary approach involving micro differential scanning calorimetry, open-tubular capillary electrochromatography, nanoplasmonic sensing, and quartz crystal microbalance. By incubating the drug and the fragment compounds with liposomes with varying lipid composition or by externally adding the compounds to preformed liposomes, a detailed mechanistic picture on the underlying drug/fragment-membrane interactions was obtained. The nature and the degree of ionisation of polar head groups of the lipids had a major influence on the nature of drug-membrane interactions, and so had the presence and relative concentration of cholesterol within the membranes. The in-depth understanding of drug/fragment-membranes interactions established by the presented interdisciplinary fragment-based approach may be useful in guiding the design and early-stage evaluation of prospective antifungal drug candidates, and the discovery of agents with improved membrane penetrating characteristics in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shishir Jaikishan
- Department of Chemistry, A.I. Virtasen aukio 1, POB 55, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Marine Lavainne
- Department of Chemistry, A.I. Virtasen aukio 1, POB 55, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Henri K Ravald
- Department of Chemistry, A.I. Virtasen aukio 1, POB 55, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Kieran Scobbie
- Department of Chemistry, A.I. Virtasen aukio 1, POB 55, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Filip Dusa
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Veveří 97, Brno 60200, Czech Republic
| | - Rekha Maheswari
- Department of Chemistry, A.I. Virtasen aukio 1, POB 55, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Jenni Turpeinen
- Department of Chemistry, A.I. Virtasen aukio 1, POB 55, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Ian Eikemans
- Department of Chemistry, A.I. Virtasen aukio 1, POB 55, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of Chemistry, A.I. Virtasen aukio 1, POB 55, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Julia Rantala
- Department of Chemistry, A.I. Virtasen aukio 1, POB 55, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Vladimir Aseyev
- Department of Chemistry, A.I. Virtasen aukio 1, POB 55, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Norbert N Maier
- Department of Chemistry, A.I. Virtasen aukio 1, POB 55, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Susanne K Wiedmer
- Department of Chemistry, A.I. Virtasen aukio 1, POB 55, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
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3
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Zhang W, Uei Y, Matsuura T, Maruyama A. Characterization and regulation of 2D-3D convertible lipid membrane transformation. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:3423-3430. [PMID: 38809312 DOI: 10.1039/d4bm00290c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Micro-nanomaterials that can adopt different structures are powerful tools in the fields of biological and medical sciences. We previously developed a lipid membrane that can convert between 2D nanosheet and 3D vesicle forms using cationic copolymer polyallylamine-graft-polyethylene glycol and the anionic peptide E5. The properties of the membrane during conversion have been characterized only by confocal laser scan microscopy. Furthermore, due to the 2D symmetry of the lipid nanosheet, the random folding of the lipid bilayer into either the original or the reverse orientation occurs during sheet-to-vesicle conversion, compromising the structural consistency of the membrane. In this study, flow cytometry was applied to track the conversion of more than 5000 lipid membranes from 3D vesicles to 2D nanosheets and back to 3D vesicles, difficult with microscopies. The lipid nanosheets exhibited more side scattering intensity than 3D vesicles, presumably due to free fluctuation and spin of the sheets in the suspension. Furthermore, by immobilizing bovine serum albumin as one of the representative proteins on the outer leaflet of giant unilamellar vesicles at a relatively low coverage, complete restoration of lipid membranes to the original 3D orientation was obtained after sheet-to-vesicle conversion. This convertible membrane system should be applicable in a wide range of fields. Our findings also provide experimental evidence for future theoretical studies on membrane behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wancheng Zhang
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama 2-12-1, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, B-57 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8501, Japan.
| | - Yuta Uei
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, B-57 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8501, Japan.
| | - Tomoaki Matsuura
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama 2-12-1, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
| | - Atsushi Maruyama
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, B-57 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8501, Japan.
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4
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Kamatar A, Bravo JPK, Yuan F, Wang L, Lafer EM, Taylor DW, Stachowiak JC, Parekh SH. Lipid droplets as substrates for protein phase separation. Biophys J 2024; 123:1494-1507. [PMID: 38462838 PMCID: PMC11163294 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Membrane-associated protein phase separation plays critical roles in cell biology, driving essential cellular phenomena from immune signaling to membrane traffic. Importantly, by reducing dimensionality from three to two dimensions, lipid bilayers can nucleate phase separation at far lower concentrations compared with those required for phase separation in solution. How might other intracellular lipid substrates, such as lipid droplets, contribute to nucleation of phase separation? Distinct from bilayer membranes, lipid droplets consist of a phospholipid monolayer surrounding a core of neutral lipids, and they are energy storage organelles that protect cells from lipotoxicity and oxidative stress. Here, we show that intrinsically disordered proteins can undergo phase separation on the surface of synthetic and cell-derived lipid droplets. Specifically, we find that the model disordered domains FUS LC and LAF-1 RGG separate into protein-rich and protein-depleted phases on the surfaces of lipid droplets. Owing to the hydrophobic nature of interactions between FUS LC proteins, increasing ionic strength drives an increase in its phase separation on droplet surfaces. The opposite is true for LAF-1 RGG, owing to the electrostatic nature of its interprotein interactions. In both cases, protein-rich phases on the surfaces of synthetic and cell-derived lipid droplets demonstrate molecular mobility indicative of a liquid-like state. Our results show that lipid droplets can nucleate protein condensates, suggesting that protein phase separation could be key in organizing biological processes involving lipid droplets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Advika Kamatar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Jack P K Bravo
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Feng Yuan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Liping Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Eileen M Lafer
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - David W Taylor
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, Austin, Texas
| | - Jeanne C Stachowiak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.
| | - Sapun H Parekh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.
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5
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Kim G, Zhu R, Zhang Y, Jeon H, Shirinichi F, Wang Y. Fluorescent Chiral Quantum Dots to Unveil Origin-Dependent Exosome Uptake and Cargo Release. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:3358-3374. [PMID: 38717870 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00296] [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: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Exosomes are promising nanocarriers for drug delivery. Yet, it is challenging to apply exosomes in clinical use due to the limited understanding of their physiological functions. While cellular uptake of exosomes is generally known through endocytosis and/or membrane fusion, the mechanisms of origin-dependent cellular uptake and subsequent cargo release of exosomes into recipient cells are still unclear. Herein, we investigated the intricate mechanisms of exosome entry into recipient cells and intracellular cargo release. In this study, we utilized chiral graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as representatives of exosomal cargo, taking advantage of the superior permeability of chiral GQDs into lipid membranes as well as their excellent optical properties for tracking analysis. We observed that the preferential cellular uptake of exosomes derived from the same cell-of-origin (intraspecies exosomes) is higher than that of exosomes derived from different cell-of-origin (cross-species exosomes). This uptake enhancement was attributed to receptor-ligand interaction-mediated endocytosis, as we identified the expression of specific ligands on exosomes that favorably interact with their parental cells and confirmed the higher lysosomal entrapment of intraspecies exosomes (intraspecies endocytic uptake). On the other hand, we found that the uptake of cross-species exosomes primarily occurred through membrane fusion, followed by direct cargo release into the cytosol (cross-species direct fusion uptake). We revealed the underlying mechanisms involved in the cellular uptake and subsequent cargo release of exosomes depending on their cell-of-origin and recipient cell types. Overall, this study envisions valuable insights into further advancements in effective drug delivery using exosomes, as well as a comprehensive understanding of cellular communication, including disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaeun Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Runyao Zhu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Youwen Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Rutgers University─Camden, Camden, New Jersey 08102, United States
| | - Hyunsu Jeon
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Farbod Shirinichi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Yichun Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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6
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Wang Y, Wang S, Gao Y, Li P, Zhao B, Liu S, Ma J, Wang L, Yin Q, Wang Z, Peng L, Ming X, Cao M, Liu Y, Gao C, Xu Z, Xu Z. Determinative scrolling and folding of membranes through shrinking channels. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadm7737. [PMID: 38669331 PMCID: PMC11051672 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm7737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Flat membranes ubiquitously transform into mysterious complex shapes in nature and artificial worlds. Behind the complexity, clear determinative deformation modes have been continuously found to serve as basic application rules but remain unfulfilled. Here, we decipher two elemental deformation modes of thin membranes, spontaneous scrolling and folding as passing through shrinking channels. We validate that these two modes rule the deformation of membranes of a wide thickness range from micrometer to atomic scale. Their occurrence and the determinative fold number quantitatively correlate with the Föppl-von Kármán number and shrinkage ratio. The unveiled determinative deformation modes can guide fabricating foldable designer microrobots and delicate structures of two-dimensional sheets and provide another mechanical principle beyond genetic determinism in biological morphogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Shijun Wang
- Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics and Center for Nano and Micro Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yue Gao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Peng Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Bo Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Senping Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Jingyu Ma
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Lidan Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Qichen Yin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Ziqiu Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Li Peng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Xin Ming
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Min Cao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Yingjun Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Chao Gao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Zhiping Xu
- Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics and Center for Nano and Micro Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhen Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
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7
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Chai C, Park J. Food liposomes: Structures, components, preparations, and applications. Food Chem 2024; 432:137228. [PMID: 37633138 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
This review explores liposomes, focusing on their structure, components, the characteristics influencing their stability and applicability in foods, and preparation methods. The role of phospholipids and liposome modulators in preparing liposomes of desired structure and size is emphasized. The potential of liposomes to enhance food value through liposomal encapsulation and delivery of functional substances is reviewed. Conventional and advanced liposome preparation methods are reviewed, underscoring their impact on the marketability of liposomes. The review highlights the need for research into lecithin properties and modulators that enhance liposome stability. The need to develop cost-effective and rapid liposome preparation methods is identified as a key factor in improving the marketability of food liposomes and promoting their use in foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changhoon Chai
- Department of Applied Animal Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon-si 24341, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jinhyung Park
- Department of Applied Animal Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon-si 24341, Republic of Korea
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8
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Islam MM, Nawagamuwage SU, Parshin IV, Richard MC, Burin AL, Rubtsov IV. Probing the Hydrophobic Region of a Lipid Bilayer at Specific Depths Using Vibrational Spectroscopy. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:26363-26373. [PMID: 37982703 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c10178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
A novel spectroscopic approach for studying the flexibility and mobility in the hydrophobic interior of lipid bilayers at specific depths is proposed. A set of test compounds featuring an azido moiety and a cyano or carboxylic acid moiety, connected by an alkyl chain of different lengths, was synthesized. FTIR data and molecular dynamics calculations indicated that the test compounds in a bilayer are oriented so that the cyano or carboxylic acid moiety is located in the lipid head-group region, while the azido group stays inside the bilayer at the depth determined by its alkyl chain length. We found that the asymmetric stretching mode of the azido group (νN3) can serve as a reporter of the membrane interior dynamics. FTIR and two-dimensional infrared (2DIR) studies were performed at different temperatures, ranging from 22 to 45 °C, covering the Lβ-Lα phase transition temperature of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (∼41 °C). The width of the νN3 peak was found to be very sensitive to the phase transition and to the temperature in general. We introduced an order parameter, SN3, which characterizes restrictions to motion inside the bilayer. 2DIR spectra of νN3 showed different extents of inhomogeneity at different depths in the bilayer, with the smallest inhomogeneity in the middle of the leaflet. The spectral diffusion dynamics of the N3 peak was found to be dependent on the depth of the N3 group location in the bilayer. The obtained results enhance our understanding of the bilayer dynamics and can be extended to investigate membranes with more complex compositions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Muhaiminul Islam
- Department of Chemistry, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
| | | | - Igor V Parshin
- Department of Chemistry, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
| | - Margaret C Richard
- Department of Chemistry, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
| | - Alexander L Burin
- Department of Chemistry, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
| | - Igor V Rubtsov
- Department of Chemistry, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
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9
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Endres S, Ehrmanntraut S, Endres L, Can K, Kraft C, Rasmussen T, Luxenhofer R, Böttcher B, Engels B, Pöppler AC. Structural Investigation on How Guest Loading of Poly(2-oxazoline)-Based Micelles Affects the Interaction with Simulated Intestinal Fluids. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:4821-4830. [PMID: 37441793 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00645] [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: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Drug loading of polymer micelles can have a profound effect on their particle size and morphology as well as their physicochemical properties. In turn, this influences performance in biological environments. For oral delivery of drugs, the intestinal environment is key, and consequently, a thorough structural understanding of what happens at this material-biology interface is required to understand in vivo performance and tailor improved delivery vehicles. In this study, we address this interface in vitro through a detailed structural characterization of the colloidal assemblies of polymeric micelles based on poly(2-oxazolines) with three different guest loadings with the natural product curcumin (17-52 wt %) in fed-state simulated intestinal fluids (FeSSIF). For this, we employ NMR spectroscopy, in particular, 1H NMR, 1H-1H-NOESY, and 1H DOSY experiments complemented by quantum chemical calculations and cryo-TEM measurements. Through this mixture of methods, we identified curcumin-taurocholate interactions as central interaction patterns alongside interactions with the polymer and lipids. Furthermore, curcumin molecules can be exchanged between polymer micelles and bile colloids, an important prerequisite for their uptake. Finally, increased loading of the polymer micelles with curcumin resulted in a larger number of vesicles as taurocholate─through coordination with Cur─is less available to form nanoparticles with the lipids. The loading-dependent behavior found in this study deviates from previous work on a different drug substance highlighting the need for further studies including different drug molecules and polymer types to improve the understanding of events on the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Endres
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Silvia Ehrmanntraut
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Endres
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Emil-Fischer-Straße 42, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Koray Can
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Emil-Fischer-Straße 42, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christian Kraft
- Rudolf Virchow Center, Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tim Rasmussen
- Rudolf Virchow Center, Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Robert Luxenhofer
- Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, PB55, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Bettina Böttcher
- Rudolf Virchow Center, Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Engels
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Emil-Fischer-Straße 42, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ann-Christin Pöppler
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
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10
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Saldanha O, Schiller L, Hauser K. Calcium-induced compaction and clustering of vesicles tracked with molecular resolution. Biophys J 2023; 122:2646-2654. [PMID: 37218132 PMCID: PMC10397570 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Theory and simulations predict the complex nature of calcium interaction with the lipid membrane. By maintaining the calcium concentrations at physiological conditions, herein we demonstrate experimentally the effect of Ca2+ in a minimalistic cell-like model. For this purpose, giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) with a neutral lipid DOPC are generated, and the ion-lipid interaction is observed with attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy providing molecular resolution. Firstly, Ca2+ encapsulated within the vesicle binds to the phosphate head groups of the inner leaflets and triggers vesicle compaction. This is tracked by changes in vibrational modes of the lipid groups. As the calcium concentration within the GUV increases, IR intensities change indicating vesicle dehydration and lateral compression of the membrane. Secondly, by inducing a calcium gradient across the membrane up to a ratio of 1:20, interaction between several vesicles occurs as Ca2+ can bind to the outer leaflets leading to vesicle clustering. It is observed that larger calcium gradients induce stronger interactions. These findings with an exemplary biomimetic model reveal that divalent calcium ions not only cause local changes to the lipid packing but also have macroscopic implications to initiate vesicle-vesicle interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliva Saldanha
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Laura Schiller
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Karin Hauser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
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11
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Li G, Xu X, Zuo YY. Phase transitions of the pulmonary surfactant film at the perfluorocarbon-water interface. Biophys J 2023; 122:1772-1780. [PMID: 37041745 PMCID: PMC10209028 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary surfactant is a lipid-protein complex that forms a thin film at the air-water surface of the lungs. This surfactant film defines the elastic recoil and respiratory mechanics of the lungs. One generally accepted rationale of using oxygenated perfluorocarbon (PFC) as a respiratory medium in liquid ventilation is to take advantage of its low surface tensions (14-18 mN/m), which was believed to make PFC an ideal replacement of the exogenous surfactant. Compared with the extensive studies of the phospholipid phase behavior of the pulmonary surfactant film at the air-water surface, its phase behavior at the PFC-water interface is essentially unknown. Here, we reported the first detailed biophysical study of phospholipid phase transitions in two animal-derived natural pulmonary surfactant films, Infasurf and Survanta, at the PFC-water interface using constrained drop surfactometry. Constrained drop surfactometry allows in situ Langmuir-Blodgett transfer from the PFC-water interface, thus permitting direct visualization of lipid polymorphism in pulmonary surfactant films using atomic force microscopy. Our data suggested that regardless of its low surface tension, the PFC cannot be used as a replacement of pulmonary surfactant in liquid ventilation where the air-water surface of the lungs is replaced with the PFC-water interface that features an intrinsically high interfacial tension. The pulmonary surfactant film at the PFC-water interface undergoes continuous phase transitions at surface pressures less than the equilibrium spreading pressure of 50 mN/m and a monolayer-to-multilayer transition above this critical pressure. These results provided not only novel biophysical insight into the phase behavior of natural pulmonary surfactant at the oil-water interface but also translational implications into the further development of liquid ventilation and liquid breathing techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangle Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Xiaojie Xu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Yi Y Zuo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii; Department of Pediatrics, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii.
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12
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Noba K, Yoshimoto S, Tanaka Y, Yokoyama T, Matsuura T, Hori K. Simple Method for the Creation of a Bacteria-Sized Unilamellar Liposome with Different Proteins Localized to the Respective Sides of the Membrane. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:1437-1446. [PMID: 37155350 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Artificial cells are membrane vesicles mimicking cellular functions. To date, giant unilamellar vesicles made from a single lipid membrane with a diameter of 10 μm or more have been used to create artificial cells. However, the creation of artificial cells that mimic the membrane structure and size of bacteria has been limited due to technical restrictions of conventional liposome preparation methods. Here, we created bacteria-sized large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) with proteins localized asymmetrically to the lipid bilayer. Liposomes containing benzylguanine-modified phospholipids were prepared by combining the conventional water-in-oil emulsion method and the extruder method, and green fluorescent protein fused with SNAP-tag was localized to the inner leaflet of the lipid bilayer. Biotinylated lipid molecules were then inserted externally, and the outer leaflet was modified with streptavidin. The resulting liposomes had a size distribution in the range of 500-2000 nm with a peak at 841 nm (the coefficient of variation was 10.3%), which was similar to that of spherical bacterial cells. Fluorescence microscopy, quantitative evaluation using flow cytometry, and western blotting proved the intended localization of different proteins on the lipid membrane. Cryogenic electron microscopy and quantitative evaluation by α-hemolysin insertion revealed that most of the created liposomes were unilamellar. Our simple method for the preparation of bacteria-sized LUVs with asymmetrically localized proteins will contribute to the creation of artificial bacterial cells for investigating functions and the significance of their surface structure and size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosaku Noba
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
| | - Shogo Yoshimoto
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Tanaka
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yokoyama
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Matsuura
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama 2-12-1-i7E-307, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Katsutoshi Hori
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
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13
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Mechanical Properties of 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid-Induced Vesicles. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28062742. [PMID: 36985713 PMCID: PMC10051961 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28062742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The vesicle mechanical behaviors were studied upon its exposure to 3-hydroxybutyric acid using an atomic force microscope (AFM). Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and 3-hydroxybutyric acid were used to manufacture the vesicles at their desired ratio. The deflection of an AFM probe with respect to its displacement was measured after characterizing the vesicle adsorption. The movement was analyzed with the Hertzian model to understand the physical behavior of the vesicles. However, in the deflection just prior to the first penetration, the model was a good fit, and the vesicle mechanical moduli were calculated. The moduli became lower with the higher ratio of 3-hydroxybutyric acid to DPPC, but the moduli were saturated at 0.5 of the ratio. These results appear to be the basis for the function of the metabolism associated with 3-hydroxybutyric acid, i.e., anesthetization and glycemic control, on the physical properties of cell membranes.
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14
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Yılmaz H, Erdoğan EM, Ergenekon P, Özkan M. Comparison of ion selectivities of nitrite channel NirC and water channel aquaporin. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:120. [PMID: 36918441 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03553-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
nirC gene coding for the nitrite channel of E. coli K12 was cloned into the pET28a vector and expressed in E. coli BL21 cells. 28.5 kDa NirC monomer was purified from membrane components of E. coli. Selectivity of NirC for different ions including nitrite, nitrate, sulfate, formate, and acetate anions, and a divalent cation, magnesium, was compared with that of bacterial aquaporin from Halomonas elongata. Water and ion permeability values were determined by measuring the light scattering rates of proteoliposomes containing NirC and aquaporins during their water loss and gain. NirC shows a selective permeability to nitrite and is more resistant to the entry of other anions as compared to aquaporin. The single channel permeability of NirC for nitrite is about 10-fold that of a single aquaporin channel. Both aquaporin and NirC channel proteins were impermeable to MgCl2 and (NH4)2SO4 and their permeability to other tested ions was remarkably lower as compared to nitrite ions. The study also presents the 3D model and channel characteristics of NirC. The translocation channel of E. coli NirC is determined to be larger, and its length is shorter than aquaporin channels. Although the NirC channel throat is more hydrophobic than aquaporin, its water permeability is almost equal to that of aquaporin. The hydrophobic nature of the NirC channel might play an important role in the selective permeability of the channel for nitrite ions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilal Yılmaz
- Environmental Engineering Department, Gebze Technical University, 41400, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Esra Meşe Erdoğan
- Environmental Engineering Department, Gebze Technical University, 41400, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Pınar Ergenekon
- Environmental Engineering Department, Gebze Technical University, 41400, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Melek Özkan
- Environmental Engineering Department, Gebze Technical University, 41400, Kocaeli, Turkey.
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15
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Abdel-Gawad WM, Abdelmohsen M, Gaber MH, Khalil WMA, Abu-Elmagd MSM. Molecular dynamics simulation of phosphatidylcholine membrane in low ionic strengths of sodium chloride. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:13891-13901. [PMID: 36812302 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2183040] [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: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
The one-microsecond molecular dynamics simulations of a membrane-protein complex investigate the influence of the aqueous sodium chloride solutions on the structure and dynamics of a palmitoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine bilayer membrane. The simulations were performed on five different concentrations (40, 150, 200, 300, and 400 mM) in addition to a salt-free system by using the charmm36 force field for all atoms. Four biophysical parameters, (membrane thicknesses of annular and bulk lipids, and the area per lipid of both leaflets), were computed separately. Nevertheless, the area per lipid was expressed by using the Voronoi algorithm. All time-independent analyses were carried out for the last 400 ns trajectories. Different concentrations revealed dissimilar membrane dynamics before equilibration. The biophysical properties of the membrane (thickness, area-per-lipid, and order parameter) have non-significant changes with increasing ionic strength, however, the 150 mM system had exceptional behavior. Sodium cations were dynamically penetrating the membrane forming weak coordinate bonds with single or multiple lipids. Nevertheless, the binding constant was unaffected by the cation concentration. The electrostatic and Van der Waals energies of lipid-lipid interactions were influenced by the ionic strength. On the other hand, the Fast Fourier Transform was performed to figure out the dynamics at the membrane-protein interface. The nonbonding energies of membrane-protein interactions and order parameters explained the differences in the synchronization pattern. All results were consensus with experimental and theoretical works.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mahmoud Abdelmohsen
- Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
- Mathematics and Engineering Physics Department, The Higher Institute of Engineering, Shorouk Academy, El-Shorouk City, Cairo, Egypt
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16
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Życieńska K, Pszczółkowska B, Brzozowska B, Kamiński M, Lorenc T, Olejarz W, Sęk S, Ginter J. Brownian Motion Influence on AFM Exosomes' Size Measurements. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231710074. [PMID: 36077470 PMCID: PMC9456267 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles are evaluated by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), providing information on their hydrodynamic diameters, and by atomic force microscopy (AFM) to calculate their geometric diameters. The aim of this study is to explore the influence of Brownian movements in a sample drop and preparation time on imaging-based measurements and to determine the relationship between the geometric and hydrodynamic sizes of the extracellular vesicles measured by the AFM and the NTA, respectively. Exosomes derived from the human prostate cancer cell line PC3 were evaluated by NTA and AFM, and those results were compared with Monte Carlo simulations. The mean size, evaluated by AFM shortly after application on the mica substrate, is less than its real value. It obtains the correct value faster for a thinner sample drop. Fitting the log-normal distribution to the geometric and hydrodynamic diameters leads to the conclusion that the latter could arise from the former by linear scaling by a factor that could be used to characterize the analyzed extracellular vesicles. The size of the vesicles attached to the mica substrate depends on time. The effect of Brownian motion and stretch of the lipid bilayer should be considered in the context of exosome AFM studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Życieńska
- Biomedical Physics Division, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 5 Pasteura Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Beata Pszczółkowska
- Biomedical Physics Division, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 5 Pasteura Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Beata Brzozowska
- Biomedical Physics Division, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 5 Pasteura Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Kamiński
- Biomedical Physics Division, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 5 Pasteura Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Lorenc
- 1st Department of Clinical Radiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 5 Chałubińskiego Street, 02-004 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wioletta Olejarz
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 1 Banacha Street, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
- Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, 1b Banacha Street, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sławomir Sęk
- Biological and Chemical Research Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, 101 Żwirki i Wigury Street, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Józef Ginter
- Biomedical Physics Division, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 5 Pasteura Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence:
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17
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Novel In Silico Insights into Rv1417 and Rv2617c as Potential Protein Targets: The Importance of the Medium on the Structural Interactions with Exported Repetitive Protein (Erp) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14132577. [PMID: 35808623 PMCID: PMC9269478 DOI: 10.3390/polym14132577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, tuberculosis is the second leading cause of death from a monopathogenic transmitted disease, only ahead of COVID-19. The role of exported repetitive protein (Erp) in the virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been extensively demonstrated. In vitro and in vivo assays have identified that Erp interacts with Rv1417 and Rv2617c proteins, forming putative transient molecular complexes prior to localization to the cell envelope. Although new insights into the interactions and functions of Erp have emerged over the years, knowledge about its structure and protein–protein interactions at the atomistic level has not been sufficiently explored. In this work, we have combined several in silico methodologies to gain new insights into the structural relationship between these proteins. Two system conditions were evaluated by MD simulations: Rv1417 and Rv2617c embedded in a lipid membrane and another with a semi-polar solvent to mimic the electrostatic conditions on the membrane surface. The Erp protein was simulated as an unanchored structure. Stabilized structures were docked, and complexes were evaluated to recognize the main residues involved in protein–protein interactions. Our results show the influence of the medium on the structural conformation of proteins. Globular conformations were favored under high polarity conditions and showed a higher energetic affinity in complex formation. Meanwhile, disordered conformations were favored under semi-polar conditions and an increase in the number of contacts between residues was observed. In addition, the electrostatic potential analysis showed remarkable changes in protein interactions due to the polarity of the medium, demonstrating the relevance of Erp protein in heterodimer formation. On the other hand, contact analysis showed that several C-terminal residues of Erp were involved in the protein interactions, which seems to contradict experimental observations; however, these complexes could be transient forms. The findings presented in this work are intended to open new perspectives in the studies of Erp protein molecular interactions and to improve the knowledge about its function and role in the virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
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18
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Kashkanova AD, Blessing M, Gemeinhardt A, Soulat D, Sandoghdar V. Precision size and refractive index analysis of weakly scattering nanoparticles in polydispersions. Nat Methods 2022; 19:586-593. [PMID: 35534632 PMCID: PMC9119850 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-022-01460-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Characterization of the size and material properties of particles in liquid suspensions is in very high demand, for example, in the analysis of colloidal samples or of bodily fluids such as urine or blood plasma. However, existing methods are limited in their ability to decipher the constituents of realistic samples. Here we introduce iNTA as a new method that combines interferometric detection of scattering with nanoparticle tracking analysis to reach unprecedented sensitivity and precision in determining the size and refractive index distributions of nanoparticles in suspensions. After benchmarking iNTA with samples of colloidal gold, we present its remarkable ability to resolve the constituents of various multicomponent and polydisperse samples of known origin. Furthermore, we showcase the method by elucidating the refractive index and size distributions of extracellular vesicles from Leishmania parasites and human urine. The current performance of iNTA already enables advances in several important applications, but we also discuss possible improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna D Kashkanova
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Blessing
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - André Gemeinhardt
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Didier Soulat
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vahid Sandoghdar
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, Germany.
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany.
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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19
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Boudreault F, Tan JJ, Grygorczyk R. Propidium uptake and ATP release in A549 cells share similar transport mechanisms. Biophys J 2022; 121:1593-1609. [PMID: 35398020 PMCID: PMC9117937 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The lipid bilayer of eukaryotic cells' plasma membrane is almost impermeable to small ions and large polar molecules, but its miniscule basal permeability in intact cells is poorly characterized. This report describes the intrinsic membrane permeability of A549 cells toward the charged molecules propidium (Pr2+) and ATP4-. Under isotonic conditions, we detected with quantitative fluorescence microscopy, a continuous low-rate uptake of Pr (∼150 × 10-21 moles (zmol)/h/cell, [Pr]o = 150 μM, 32°C). It was stimulated transiently but strongly by 66% hypotonic cell swelling reaching an influx amplitude of ∼1500 (zmol/h)/cell. The progressive Pr uptake with increasing [Pr]o (30, 150, and 750 μM) suggested a permeation mechanism by simple diffusion. We quantified separately ATP release with custom wide-field-of-view chemiluminescence imaging. The strong proportionality between ATP efflux and Pr2+ influx during hypotonic challenge, and the absence of stimulation of transmembrane transport following 300% hypertonic shock, indicated that ATP and Pr travel the same conductive pathway. The fluorescence images revealed a homogeneously distributed intracellular uptake of Pr not consistent with high-conductance channels expressed at low density on the plasma membrane. We hypothesized that the pathway consists of transiently formed water pores evenly spread across the plasma membrane. The abolition of cell swelling-induced Pr uptake with 500 μM gadolinium, a known modulator of membrane fluidity, supported the involvement of water pores whose formation depends on the membrane fluidity. Our study suggests an alternative model of a direct permeation of ATP (and other molecules) through the phospholipid bilayer, which may have important physiological implications.
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20
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Masui K, Nawa Y, Tokumitsu S, Nagano T, Kawarai M, Tanaka H, Hamamoto T, Minoshima W, Tani T, Fujita S, Ishitobi H, Hosokawa C, Inouye Y. Detection of Glutamate Encapsulated in Liposomes by Optical Trapping Raman Spectroscopy. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:9701-9709. [PMID: 35350315 PMCID: PMC8945065 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c07206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The transmission of neuronal information is propagated through synapses by neurotransmitters released from presynapses to postsynapses. Neurotransmitters released from the presynaptic vesicles activate receptors on the postsynaptic membrane. Glutamate acts as a major excitatory neurotransmitter for synaptic vesicles in the central nervous system. Determining the concentration of glutamate in single synaptic vesicles is essential for understanding the mechanisms of neuronal activation by glutamate in normal brain functions as well as in neurological diseases. However, it is difficult to detect and quantitatively measure the concentration of glutamate in single synaptic vesicles owing to their small size, i.e., ∼40 nm. In this study, to quantitatively evaluate the concentrations of the contents in small membrane-bound vesicles, we developed an optical trapping Raman spectroscopic system that analyzes the Raman spectra of small objects captured using optical trapping. Using artificial liposomes encapsulating glutamate that mimic synaptic vesicles, we investigated whether spontaneous Raman scattered light of glutamate can be detected from vesicles trapped at the focus using optical forces. A 575 nm laser beam was used to simultaneously perform the optical trapping of liposomes and the detection of the spontaneous Raman scattered light. The intensity of Raman scattered light that corresponds to lipid bilayers increased with time. This observation suggested that the number of liposomes increased at the focal point. The number of glutamate molecules in the trapped liposomes was estimated from the calibration curve of the Raman spectra of glutamate solutions with known concentration. This method can be used to measure the number of glutamate molecules encapsulated in synaptic vesicles in situ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoko Masui
- Advanced
Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-1, Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate
School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3, Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Yasunori Nawa
- Advanced
Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-1, Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Department
of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1,
Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Tokumitsu
- Advanced
Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-1, Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Department
of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1,
Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Takahiro Nagano
- Advanced
Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-1, Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Department
of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1,
Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Makoto Kawarai
- Advanced
Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-1, Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Department
of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1,
Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Tanaka
- Advanced
Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-1, Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Department
of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1,
Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Tatsuki Hamamoto
- Advanced
Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-1, Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate
School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3, Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Wataru Minoshima
- Advanced
Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-1, Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Department
of Chemistry, Division of Molecular Materials Science, Graduate School
of Science, Osaka City University, 3-3-138, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi, Osaka 5588585, Japan
| | - Tomomi Tani
- Biomedical
Research Institute, National Institute of
Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-1, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Satoshi Fujita
- Advanced
Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-1, Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Department
of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1,
Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Ishitobi
- Advanced
Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-1, Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate
School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3, Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Department
of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1,
Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Chie Hosokawa
- Advanced
Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-1, Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Department
of Chemistry, Division of Molecular Materials Science, Graduate School
of Science, Osaka City University, 3-3-138, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi, Osaka 5588585, Japan
| | - Yasushi Inouye
- Advanced
Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-1, Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate
School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3, Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Department
of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1,
Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
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21
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Hamilton S, Regan D, Payne L, Langbein W, Borri P. Sizing individual dielectric nanoparticles with quantitative differential interference contrast microscopy. Analyst 2022; 147:1567-1580. [PMID: 35302561 DOI: 10.1039/d1an02009a] [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
We report a method to measure the size of single dielectric nanoparticles with high accuracy and precision using quantitative differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Regan
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Lukas Payne
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Paola Borri
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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22
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Hamming PH, Huskens J. Streptavidin Coverage on Biotinylated Surfaces. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:58114-58123. [PMID: 34813287 PMCID: PMC8662640 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c16446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Biosensors and other biological platform technologies require the functionalization of their surface with receptors to enhance affinity and selectivity. Control over the functionalization density is required to tune the platform's properties. Streptavidin (SAv) monolayers are widely used to immobilize biotinylated proteins, receptors, and DNA. The SAv density on a surface can be varied easily, but the predictability is dependent on the method by which the SAv is immobilized. In this study we show a method to quantitatively predict the SAv coverage on biotinylated surfaces. The method is validated by measuring the SAv coverage on supported lipid bilayers with a range of biotin contents and two different main phase lipids and by using quartz crystal microbalance and localized surface plasmon resonance. We explore a predictive model of the biotin-dependent SAv coverage without any fit parameters. Model and data allow to predict the SAv coverage based on the biotin coverage, in both the low- and high-density regimes. This is of special importance in applications with multivalent binding where control over surface receptor density is required, but a direct measurement is not possible.
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Savenko M, Rivel T, Yesylevskyy S, Ramseyer C. Influence of Substrate Hydrophilicity on Structural Properties of Supported Lipid Systems on Graphene, Graphene Oxides, and Silica. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:8060-8074. [PMID: 34284579 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c04615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pristine graphene, a range of graphene oxides, and silica substrates were used to investigate the effect of surface hydrophilicity on supported lipid bilayers by means of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Supported 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine lipid bilayers were found in close-contact conformations with hydrophilic substrates with as low as 5% oxidation level, while self-assembled monolayers occur on pure hydrophobic graphene only. Lipids and water at the surface undergo large redistribution to maintain the stability of the supported bilayers. Deposition of bicelles on increasingly hydrophilic substrates shows the continuous process of reshaping of the supported system and makes intermediate stages between self-assembled monolayers and supported bilayers. The bilayer thickness changes with hydrophilicity in a complex manner, while the number of water molecules per lipid in the hydration layer increases together with hydrophilicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariia Savenko
- Laboratoire Chrono Environnement UMR CNRS 6249, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 16 route de Gray, 25030 Besançon Cedex, France
| | - Timothée Rivel
- Laboratoire Chrono Environnement UMR CNRS 6249, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 16 route de Gray, 25030 Besançon Cedex, France.,CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice, CZ-62500 Brno, Czech Republic.,National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice, CZ-62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Semen Yesylevskyy
- Laboratoire Chrono Environnement UMR CNRS 6249, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 16 route de Gray, 25030 Besançon Cedex, France.,Department of Physics of Biological Systems, Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Prospect Nauky 46, 03028 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Christophe Ramseyer
- Laboratoire Chrono Environnement UMR CNRS 6249, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 16 route de Gray, 25030 Besançon Cedex, France
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Muzio MD, Millan-Solsona R, Borrell JH, Fumagalli L, Gomila G. Cholesterol Effect on the Specific Capacitance of Submicrometric DOPC Bilayer Patches Measured by in-Liquid Scanning Dielectric Microscopy. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:12963-12972. [PMID: 33084346 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c02251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The specific capacitance of biological membranes is a key physical parameter in bioelectricity that also provides valuable physicochemical information on composition, phase, or hydration properties. Cholesterol is known to modulate the physicochemical properties of biomembranes, but its effect on the specific capacitance has not been fully established yet. Here we use the high spatial resolution capabilities of in-liquid scanning dielectric microscopy in force detection mode to directly demonstrate that DOPC bilayer patches at 50% cholesterol concentration show a strong reduction of their specific capacitance with respect to pure DOPC bilayer patches. The reduction observed (∼35%) cannot be explained by the small increase in bilayer thickness (∼16%). We suggest that the reduction of the specific capacitance might be due to the dehydration of the polar head groups caused by the insertion of cholesterol molecules in the bilayer. The results reported confirm the potential of in-liquid SDM to study the electrical and physicochemical properties of lipid bilayers at very small scales (down to ∼200 nm here), with implications in fields such as biophysics, bioelectricity, biochemistry, and biosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Di Muzio
- Nanoscale Bioelectrical Characterization, Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ruben Millan-Solsona
- Nanoscale Bioelectrical Characterization, Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Gabriel Gomila
- Nanoscale Bioelectrical Characterization, Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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25
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Nahmad-Rohen A, Regan D, Masia F, McPhee C, Pope I, Langbein W, Borri P. Quantitative Label-Free Imaging of Lipid Domains in Single Bilayers by Hyperspectral Coherent Raman Scattering. Anal Chem 2020; 92:14657-14666. [PMID: 33090767 PMCID: PMC7660592 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c03179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Lipid phase separation in cellular membranes is thought to play an important role in many biological functions. This has prompted the development of synthetic membranes to study lipid-lipid interactions in vitro, alongside optical microscopy techniques aimed at directly visualizing phase partitioning. In this context, there is a need to overcome the limitations of fluorescence microscopy, where added fluorophores can significantly perturb lipid packing. Raman-based optical imaging is a promising analytical tool for label-free chemically specific microscopy of lipid bilayers. In this work, we demonstrate the application of hyperspectral coherent Raman scattering microscopy combined with a quantitative unsupervised data analysis methodology developed in-house to visualize lipid partitioning in single planar membrane bilayers exhibiting liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered domains. Two home-built instruments were utilized, featuring coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering and stimulated Raman scattering modalities. Ternary mixtures of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, and cholesterol were used to form phase-separated domains. We show that domains are consistently resolved, both chemically and spatially, in a completely label-free manner. Quantitative Raman susceptibility spectra of the domains are provided alongside their spatially resolved concentration maps.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Regan
- School of Physics & Astronomy, Cardiff University, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA, U.K
| | - Francesco Masia
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, U.K
| | - Craig McPhee
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, U.K
| | - Iestyn Pope
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, U.K
| | - Wolfgang Langbein
- School of Physics & Astronomy, Cardiff University, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA, U.K
| | - Paola Borri
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, U.K
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Smith P, Quinn PJ, Lorenz CD. Two Coexisting Membrane Structures Are Defined by Lateral and Transbilayer Interactions between Sphingomyelin and Cholesterol. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:9786-9799. [PMID: 32701297 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The structure of fully hydrated bilayers composed of equimolar proportions of palmitoylsphingomyelin (PSM) and cholesterol has been examined by synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Two coexisting bilayer structures, which are distinguished by the transbilayer phosphate-phosphate distance of coupled PSM molecules, are observed by diffraction at 37 °C. The MD simulations reveal that PSM molecules in the thicker membrane are characterized by more ordered, more extended, and less interdigitated hydrocarbon tails compared to those in the thinner membrane. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds further distinguish the two bilayer structures, and we observe the disruption of a sphingomyelin intermolecular hydrogen bond network induced by the proximity of cholesterol. Through an unsupervised clustering of interatomic distances, we show for the first time that the asymmetry of phospholipids is important in driving their interactions with cholesterol. We identify four distinct modes of interaction, two of which lead to the dehydration of cholesterol. These two modes of interaction provide the first description of precise physical mechanisms underlying the umbrella model, which itself explains how phospholipids may shield cholesterol from water. The most dehydrating mode of interaction is particular to the N-acylated fatty acid moiety of PSM and thus may explain the long-held observation that cholesterol preferentially mixes with sphingomyelins over glycerophospholipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Smith
- Department of Physics, King's College London, London, WC2R 2LS, U.K
| | - Peter J Quinn
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London SE1 9NH, U.K
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Cauzzo J, Nystad M, Holsæter AM, Basnet P, Škalko-Basnet N. Following the Fate of Dye-Containing Liposomes In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21144847. [PMID: 32659908 PMCID: PMC7402323 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The rather limited success of translation from basic research to clinical application has been highlighted as a major issue in the nanomedicine field. To identify the factors influencing the applicability of nanosystems as drug carriers and potential nanomedicine, we focused on following their fate through fluorescence-based assays, namely flow cytometry and imaging. These methods are often used to follow the nanocarrier internalization and targeting; however, the validity of the obtained results strictly depends on how much the nanosystem’s fate can be inferred from the fate of fluorescent dyes. To evaluate the parameters that affect the physicochemical and biological stability of the labeled nanosystems, we studied the versatility of two lipid dyes, TopFluor®-PC and Cy5-DSPE, in conventional liposomes utilizing well-defined in vitro assays. Our results suggest that the dye can affect the major characteristics of the system, such as vesicle size and zeta-potential. However, a nanocarrier can also affect the dye properties. Medium, temperature, time, fluorophore localization and its concentration, as well as their interplay, affect the outcome of tracing experiments. Therefore, an in-depth characterization of the labeled nanosystem should be fundamental to understand the conditions that validate the results within the screening process in optimization of nanocarrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Cauzzo
- Drug Transport and Delivery Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway; (J.C.); (A.M.H.)
| | - Mona Nystad
- Women’s Health and Perinatology Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway; (M.N.); (P.B.)
- Department of Medical Genetics, University Hospital of North Norway, N-9038 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ann Mari Holsæter
- Drug Transport and Delivery Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway; (J.C.); (A.M.H.)
| | - Purusotam Basnet
- Women’s Health and Perinatology Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway; (M.N.); (P.B.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of North Norway, N-9038 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Nataša Škalko-Basnet
- Drug Transport and Delivery Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway; (J.C.); (A.M.H.)
- Correspondence:
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