1
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Lundborg M, Wennberg C, Lindahl E, Norlén L. Simulating the Skin Permeation Process of Ionizable Molecules. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:5295-5302. [PMID: 38917349 PMCID: PMC11234375 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.4c00722] [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: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
It is commonly assumed that ionizable molecules, such as drugs, permeate through the skin barrier in their neutral form. By using molecular dynamics simulations of the charged and neutral states separately, we can study the dynamic protonation behavior during the permeation process. We have studied three weak acids and three weak bases and conclude that the acids are ionized to a larger extent than the bases, when passing through the headgroup region of the lipid barrier structure, at pH values close to their pKa. It can also be observed that even if these dynamic protonation simulations are informative, in the cases studied herein they are not necessary for the calculation of permeability coefficients. It is sufficient to base the calculations only on the neutral form, as is commonly done.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Lundborg
- SciLifeLab, ERCO Pharma AB, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
- Department of Applied Physics, SciLifeLab, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christian Wennberg
- SciLifeLab, ERCO Pharma AB, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
- UC AB, 111 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erik Lindahl
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, SciLifeLab, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Applied Physics, Swedish e-Science Research Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Norlén
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB), Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Solna, Sweden
- Dermatology Clinic, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 77 Solna, Sweden
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2
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Mojsiewicz-Pieńkowska K, Bazar D, Filipecki J, Chamerski K. Investigating the Free Volumes as Nanospaces in Human Stratum Corneum Lipid Bilayers Using Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS). Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6472. [PMID: 38928177 PMCID: PMC11203785 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126472] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This work is the first one that provides not only evidence for the existence of free volumes in the human stratum corneum but also focuses on comparing these experimental data, obtained through the unique positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) method, with theoretical values published in earlier works. The mean free volume of 0.269 nm was slightly lower than the theoretical value of 0.4 nm. The lifetime τ3 (1.83 ns with a coefficient of variation CV of 3.21%) is dependent on the size of open sites in the skin. This information was used to calculate the free volume radius R (0.269 nm with CV 2.14%), free volume size Vf (0.081 nm3 with CV 4.69%), and the intensity I3 (9.01% with CV 10.94%) to estimate the relative fractional free volume fv (1.32 a.u. with CV 13.68%) in human skin ex vivo. The relation between the lifetime of o-Ps (τ3) and the radius of free volume (R) was formulated using the Tao-Eldrup model, which assumes spherical voids and applies to sites with radii smaller than 1 nm. The results indicate that PALS is a powerful tool for confirming the existence of free volumes and determining their size. The studies also focused on describing the probable locations of these nanospaces in SC lipid bilayers. According to the theory, these play an essential role in dynamic processes in biological systems, including the diffusion of low-molecular-weight hydrophobic and moderately hydrophilic molecules. The mechanism of their formation has been determined by the molecular dynamics of the lipid chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystyna Mojsiewicz-Pieńkowska
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Al. Gen. Józefa Hallera 107, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Dagmara Bazar
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Al. Gen. Józefa Hallera 107, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Jacek Filipecki
- Institute of Physics, Faculty of Science & Technology, Jan Dlugosz University in Częstochowa, Armii Krajowej 13/15, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland; (J.F.); (K.C.)
| | - Kordian Chamerski
- Institute of Physics, Faculty of Science & Technology, Jan Dlugosz University in Częstochowa, Armii Krajowej 13/15, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland; (J.F.); (K.C.)
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3
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Yang MY, Lee E, Park CS, Nam YS. Molecular Dynamics Investigation into CerENP's Effect on the Lipid Matrix of Stratum Corneum. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:5378-5386. [PMID: 38805566 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c00053] [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
The extracellular lipid matrix in the stratum corneum (SC) plays a critical role in skin barrier functionality, comprising three primary components: ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids. The diverse ceramides, differentiated by molecular structures such as hydroxylations and varying chain lengths, are essential for the lipid matrix's structural integrity. Recently, a new subclass of ceramide, 1-O-acylceramide NP (CerENP), has been identified; however, its precise role in the lipid matrix of the SC is still elusive. Herein, we investigate the role of CerENP on the structure and permeability of the SC using molecular dynamics simulations. Our findings indicate that CerENP contributes to a compact lipid matrix in the lateral dimension of our SC model with a repeat distance of about 13 nm. Additionally, ethanol permeability assessments show that CerENP effectively reduces molecular penetration through the lipid matrix. This study provides an insight into the role of a new subclass of ceramide in the SC, enhancing our understanding of skin structure and the mechanisms behind barrier dysfunction in skin diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moon Young Yang
- Materials and Process Simulation Center, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Eunok Lee
- LCS Biotech Co. Ltd., 11-2, Deokseongsandan 2-ro 50, Idong-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si 17130, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Seo Park
- LCS Biotech Co. Ltd., 11-2, Deokseongsandan 2-ro 50, Idong-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si 17130, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Sung Nam
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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4
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Jiang Z, Liu S, Yuan S, Zhang H, Yuan S. Models of the Three-Component Bilayer of Stratum Corneum: A Molecular Simulation Study. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:3833-3843. [PMID: 38603528 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c08461] [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: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
The construction of the stratum corneum (SC) is crucial to the problems of transdermal drug delivery. SC consists of the keratinocyte layers and the lipid matrix surrounding it. Among them, the lipid matrix is the barrier for many exogenous molecules, mainly composed of ceramides (CERs), free fatty acids (FFA), and cholesterol (CHOL). In this work, we developed single-component (CERs, CER-NS, and CER-EOS) and six three-component models, and each model was simulated by using the GROMOS-54A7 force field. Short-period phase (SPP) and long-period phase (LPP) systems were established separately, and area per lipid (APL), thickness, order of carbon chain (SCD), and density distribution were analyzed. The transition of CER-NS and CER-EOS in LPP was observed. The results of hydrogen bonds in the lipid systems indicated that a strong hydrogen-bond network was formed between the skin-lipid bilayers. Umbrella sampling method simulations were performed to calculate the free energy change of ethanol moving into the skin-lipid bilayer. The results revealed that ethanol molecules pulled some water molecules into the membrane when they passed through SPP-1. Our findings provided some insights and models of the stratum corneum that could be used for the subsequent mechanism of macromolecule permeation through membranes in drugs, cosmetics, and so on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoli Jiang
- Key Lab of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, P. R. China
| | - Shasha Liu
- Key Lab of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu Normal University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P. R. China
| | - Shideng Yuan
- Key Lab of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, P. R. China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Key Lab of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, P. R. China
| | - Shiling Yuan
- Key Lab of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, P. R. China
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5
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Cheng S, Zhou K, Wang F, Ye Z, Ye C, Lian C, Shang Y, Liu H. Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms of Alcohol-Mediated Skin Permeation Enhancement: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:594-603. [PMID: 38115608 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c02809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The application of alcohols as permeation enhancers in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations has attracted considerable attention, owing to their skin permeation-enhancing effect. Nonetheless, the elucidation of the fundamental mechanisms underlying the skin permeation-enhancing effect remains elusive. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to investigate the effect of 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO), 1,2-butanediol (1,2-BDO), and ethanol (EtOH) on the stratum corneum (SC) model membrane. The results showed that the effect of alcohols on the SC model membrane displayed a concentration-dependent nature. The alcohols can interact with SC lipids and exhibit a remarkable ability to selectively extract free fatty acid (FFA) molecules from the SC model membrane and make the SC looser. Meanwhile, 1,2-BDO and EtOH can penetrate into SC lipid bilayers at higher concentrations, leading to the formation of continuous hydrophilic defects in SC. The FFA extraction and the formation of continuous hydrophilic defects induced ceramide (CER) tail chains to become more disordered and fluid and also weakened the hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) network among SC lipids. Both the FFA extraction and the continuous hydrophilic defect formation endowed alcohols with the permeation-enhancing effect. The constrained simulations revealed that the free energy barriers decreased for the permeation of the hydrophilic model molecule (COL) across the SC model membranes containing alcohols, particularly for 1,2-BDO and EtOH. The possible permeation-enhancing mechanisms of alcohols were proposed correspondingly. This work not only provided a deep understanding of the transdermal permeation-enhancing behavior of alcohols at the molecular level but also provided necessary reference information for designing effective transdermal drug delivery systems in applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqiang Cheng
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kangfu Zhou
- Yunnan Botanee Bio-technology Group Co., Ltd., Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- Yunnan Botanee Bio-technology Group Co., Ltd., Yunnan 650106, China
- Yunnan Yunke Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory Co., Ltd., Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Zhicheng Ye
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Chuanjun Ye
- Yunnan Botanee Bio-technology Group Co., Ltd., Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Cheng Lian
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yazhuo Shang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Honglai Liu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
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6
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Wennberg C, Lundborg M, Lindahl E, Norlén L. Understanding Drug Skin Permeation Enhancers Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:4900-4911. [PMID: 37462219 PMCID: PMC10428223 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00625] [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: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Our skin constitutes an effective permeability barrier that protects the body from exogenous substances but concomitantly severely limits the number of pharmaceutical drugs that can be delivered transdermally. In topical formulation design, chemical permeation enhancers (PEs) are used to increase drug skin permeability. In vitro skin permeability experiments can measure net effects of PEs on transdermal drug transport, but they cannot explain the molecular mechanisms of interactions between drugs, permeation enhancers, and skin structure, which limits the possibility to rationally design better new drug formulations. Here we investigate the effect of the PEs water, lauric acid, geraniol, stearic acid, thymol, ethanol, oleic acid, and eucalyptol on the transdermal transport of metronidazole, caffeine, and naproxen. We use atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in combination with developed molecular models to calculate the free energy difference between 11 PE-containing formulations and the skin's barrier structure. We then utilize the results to calculate the final concentration of PEs in skin. We obtain an RMSE of 0.58 log units for calculated partition coefficients from water into the barrier structure. We then use the modified PE-containing barrier structure to calculate the PEs' permeability enhancement ratios (ERs) on transdermal metronidazole, caffeine, and naproxen transport and compare with the results obtained from in vitro experiments. We show that MD simulations are able to reproduce rankings based on ERs. However, strict quantitative correlation with experimental data needs further refinement, which is complicated by significant deviations between different measurements. Finally, we propose a model for how to use calculations of the potential of mean force of drugs across the skin's barrier structure in a topical formulation design.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Magnus Lundborg
- Science
for Life Laboratory, ERCO Pharma AB, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Erik Lindahl
- Department
of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department
of Applied Physics, Swedish e-Science Research Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Norlén
- Department
of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB), Karolinska
Institutet, 171 77 Solna, Sweden
- Dermatology
Clinic. Karolinska University Hospital, 171 77 Solna, Sweden
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7
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Ren S, Liu C, Sun Y, Zhang Y, Ruan J, Fang L. Formulation Development and Molecular Mechanism Characterization of Long-Acting Patches of Asenapine for Efficient Delivery by Combining API-ILs Strategy and Controlled-Release Polymers. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:1850-1862. [PMID: 36858176 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.02.002] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
The objective of our study, which combined API-ILs strategy and controlled-release polymers, was to prepare a 72 h long-acting drug-in-adhesive patch for optimum delivery of asenapine (ASE). Special attention was paid to the permeation promotion mechanism and the controlled release behavior of ASE-ILs in pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA). Formulation factors were investigated by ex vivo transdermal experiments. The optimized patch was evaluated by pharmacokinetics study and skin irritation test. The obtained formulation was as follows, 15% w/w ASE-MA (about 1136 μg/cm2 ASE, 413 μg/cm2 MA), AACONH2 (Amide adhesive) as the matrix, 80 μm thickness, backing film of CoTran™ 9733. The optimized patch displayed satisfactory ex vivo and in vivo performance with Q 72 h of 620 ± 44 µg/cm2 and Fabs of 62.4%, which utilization rate (54.6%) was significantly higher than the control group (38.3%). By using the classical shake flask method, 13C NMR, DSC, and FTIR, the physicochemical properties and structure of ILs were characterized. log Do/w, ATR-FTIR, Raman, and molecular dynamics simulation results confirmed that ASE-MA (MA: 3-Methoxypropionic acid) had appropriate lipophilicity, and affected lipid fluidity as well as the conformation of keratin to improve the skin permeation. The FTIR, MDSC, rheology, and molecular docking results revealed that hydrogen bond (H-bond), were formed between ASE-MA and PSA, and the drug increased the molecular mobility of polymer chains. In summary, the 72 h long-acting patch of ASE was successfully prepared and it supplied a reference for the design of long-acting patches with ASE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoujun Ren
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Yutong Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Jiuheng Ruan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Liang Fang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China.
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8
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Cheng S, Hu J, Guo C, Ye Z, Shang Y, Lian C, Liu H. The effects of size and surface functionalization of polystyrene nanoplastics on stratum corneum model membranes: An experimental and computational study. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 638:778-787. [PMID: 36791476 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nanoplastics are mainly generated from the decomposition of plastic waste and artificial production and have attracted much attention due to their wide distribution in the environment and the potential risk for humans. As the largest organ of the human body, the skin is inevitably in contact with nanoplastics. Stratum corneum is the first barrier when the skin is exposed to nanoplastics. However, little is known about the interactions between nanoplastics and stratum corneum. Here, the effects of particle size and surface functionalization (amino-modified and carboxy-modified) of polystyrene nanoplastics on the stratum corneum models were studied by Langmuir monolayer and molecular dynamics simulations. An equimolar mixture of ceramide/cholesterol/free fatty acid was used to mimic stratum corneum intercellular lipids. The Langmuir monolayer studies demonstrated that the larger size and surface functionalization of polystyrene nanoplastics significantly reduced the stability of stratum corneum lipid monolayer in a concentration-dependent fashion. Simulation results elucidated that functionalized polystyrene oligomers had a stronger interaction with lipid components of the stratum corneum model membrane. The cell experiments also indicated that functionalized polystyrene nanoplastics, especially for amino-modified polystyrene nanoplastics, had significant cytotoxicity on normal human dermal fibroblast cells. Our results provide fundamental information and the basis for a deeper understanding of the health risks of nanoplastics to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqiang Cheng
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jiajie Hu
- Zhejiang Xianju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Taizhou 318000, China
| | - Chen Guo
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zhicheng Ye
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Yazhuo Shang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Cheng Lian
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Honglai Liu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
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9
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Fandrei F, Havrišák T, Opálka L, Engberg O, Smith A, Pullmannová P, Kučerka N, Ondrejčeková V, Demé B, Nováková L, Steinhart M, Vávrová K, Huster D. The Intriguing Molecular Dynamics of Cer[EOS] in Rigid Skin Barrier Lipid Layers Requires Improvement of the Model. J Lipid Res 2023; 64:100356. [PMID: 36948272 PMCID: PMC10154977 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2023.100356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Omega-O-acyl ceramides such as 32-linoleoyloxydotriacontanoyl sphingosine (Cer[EOS]) are essential components of the lipid skin barrier, which protects our body from excessive water loss and the penetration of unwanted substances. These ceramides drive the lipid assembly to epidermal-specific long periodicity phase (LPP), structurally much different than conventional lipid bilayers. Here, we synthesized Cer[EOS] with selectively deuterated segments of the ultralong N-acyl chain or deuterated or 13C-labeled linoleic acid and studied their molecular behavior in a skin lipid model. Solid-state 2H NMR data revealed surprising molecular dynamics for the ultralong N-acyl chain of Cer[EOS] with increased isotropic motion towards the isotropic ester-bound linoleate. The sphingosine moiety of Cer[EOS] is also highly mobile at skin temperature, in stark contrast to the other LPP components, N-lignoceroyl sphingosine acyl, lignoceric acid and cholesterol, which are predominantly rigid. The dynamics of the linoleic chain is quantitatively described by distributions of correlation times and using dynamic detector analysis. These NMR results along with neutron diffraction data suggest an LPP structure with alternating fluid (sphingosine chain-rich), rigid (acyl chain-rich), isotropic (linoleate-rich), rigid (acyl-chain rich), and fluid layers (sphingosine chain-rich). Such an arrangement of the skin barrier lipids with rigid layers separated with two different dynamic "fillings" i) agrees well with ultrastructural data, ii) satisfies the need for simultaneous rigidity (to ensure low permeability) and fluidity (to ensure elasticity, accommodate enzymes or antimicrobial peptides), and iii) offers a straightforward way to remodel the lamellar body lipids into the final lipid barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Fandrei
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04275 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tomáš Havrišák
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Opálka
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Oskar Engberg
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04275 Leipzig, Germany
| | - AlbertA Smith
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04275 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Petra Pullmannová
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Norbert Kučerka
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Ondrejčeková
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Bruno Demé
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 avenue des Martyrs, CS 20156, 38042 Grenoble, CEDEX 9, France
| | - Lucie Nováková
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Miloš Steinhart
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Science in Prague, Heyrovského nám. 2, 162 06 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Vávrová
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Huster
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04275 Leipzig, Germany
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10
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Piasentin N, Lian G, Cai Q. In Silico Prediction of Stratum Corneum Partition Coefficients via COSMOmic and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:2719-2728. [PMID: 36930176 PMCID: PMC10068742 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c08566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Stratum corneum (SC) is the main barrier of human skin where the inter-corneocytes lipids provide the main pathway for transdermal permeation of functional actives of skin care and health. Molecular dynamics (MD) has been increasingly used to simulate the SC lipid bilayer structure so that the barrier property and its affecting factors can be elucidated. Among reported MD simulation studies, solute partition in the SC lipids, an important parameter affecting SC permeability, has received limited attention. In this work, we combine MD simulation with COSMOmic to predict the partition coefficients of dermatologically relevant solutes in SC lipid bilayer. Firstly, we run MD simulations to obtain equilibrated SC lipid bilayers with different lipid types, compositions, and structures. Then, the simulated SC lipid bilayer structures are fed to COSMOmic to calculate the partition coefficients of the solutes. The results show that lipid types and bilayer geometries play a minor role in the predicted partition coefficients. For the more lipophilic solutes, the predicted results of solute partition in SC lipid bilayers agree well with reported experimental values of solute partition in extracted SC lipids. For the more hydrophilic molecules, there is a systematical underprediction. Nevertheless, the MD/COSMOmic approach correctly reproduces the phenomenological correlation between the SC lipid/water partition coefficients and the octanol/water partition coefficients. Overall, the results show that the MD/COSMOmic approach is a fast and valid method for predicting solute partitioning into SC lipids and hence supporting the assessment of percutaneous absorption of skin care ingredients, dermatological drugs as well as environmental pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Piasentin
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU27XH, U.K.,Unilever R&D Colworth, Unilever, Sharnbrook MK441LQ, U.K
| | - Guoping Lian
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU27XH, U.K.,Unilever R&D Colworth, Unilever, Sharnbrook MK441LQ, U.K
| | - Qiong Cai
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU27XH, U.K
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11
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Roy S, Ho JCS, Teo DLC, Gupta S, Nallani M. Biomimetic Stratum Corneum Liposome Models: Lamellar Organization and Permeability Studies. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:135. [PMID: 36837639 PMCID: PMC9962386 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13020135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The stratum corneum (SC), the outer layer of the skin, plays a crucial role as a barrier protecting the underlying cells from external stress. The SC comprises three key components: ceramide (CER), free fatty acid (FFA), and cholesterol, along with small fractions of cholesterol sulfate and cholesterol ester. In order to gain a deeper understanding about the interdependence of the two major components, CER and FFA, on the organizational, structural, and functional properties of the SC layer, a library of SC lipid liposome (SCLL) models was developed by mixing CER (phytosphingosine or sphingosine), FFA (oleic acid, palmitic acid, or stearic acid), cholesterol, and cholesterol sulfate. Self-assembly of the SC lipids into lamellar phases was first confirmed by small-angle X-ray scattering. Short periodicity and long periodicity phases were identified for SCLLs containing phytosphingosines and sphingosine CERs, respectively. Furthermore, unsaturation in the CER acyl and FFA chains reduced the lipid conformational ordering and packing density of the liposomal bilayer, which were measured by differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The introduction of unsaturation in the CER and/or FFA chains also impacted the lamellar integrity and permeability. This extensive library of SCLL models exhibiting physiologically relevant lamellar phases with defined structural and functional properties may potentially be used as a model system for screening pharmaceuticals or cosmetic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susmita Roy
- Center for Biomimetic Sensor Science, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637553, Singapore
| | - James C. S. Ho
- Center for Biomimetic Sensor Science, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637553, Singapore
| | - Douglas L. C. Teo
- Center for Biomimetic Sensor Science, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637553, Singapore
| | - Shikhar Gupta
- Procter & Gamble International Operations SA SG Branch, Singapore 138547, Singapore
| | - Madhavan Nallani
- Center for Biomimetic Sensor Science, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637553, Singapore
- ACM Biolabs Pte Ltd., Singapore 638075, Singapore
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12
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Lundborg M, Wennberg C, Lidmar J, Hess B, Lindahl E, Norlén L. Skin permeability prediction with MD simulation sampling spatial and alchemical reaction coordinates. Biophys J 2022; 121:3837-3849. [PMID: 36104960 PMCID: PMC9674988 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
A molecular-level understanding of skin permeation may rationalize and streamline product development, and improve quality and control, of transdermal and topical drug delivery systems. It may also facilitate toxicity and safety assessment of cosmetics and skin care products. Here, we present new molecular dynamics simulation approaches that make it possible to efficiently sample the free energy and local diffusion coefficient across the skin's barrier structure to predict skin permeability and the effects of chemical penetration enhancers. In particular, we introduce a new approach to use two-dimensional reaction coordinates in the accelerated weight histogram method, where we combine sampling along spatial coordinates with an alchemical perturbation virtual coordinate. We present predicted properties for 20 permeants, and demonstrate how our approach improves correlation with ex vivo/in vitro skin permeation data. For the compounds included in this study, the obtained log KPexp-calc mean square difference was 0.9 cm2 h-2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jack Lidmar
- Department of Physics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Berk Hess
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | - Erik Lindahl
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna, Sweden; Department of Physics, Swedish e-Science Research Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Norlén
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Dermatology Clinic, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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13
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Shamaprasad P, Frame CO, Moore TC, Yang A, Iacovella CR, Bouwstra JA, Bunge AL, McCabe C. Using molecular simulation to understand the skin barrier. Prog Lipid Res 2022; 88:101184. [PMID: 35988796 PMCID: PMC10116345 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2022.101184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Skin's effectiveness as a barrier to permeation of water and other chemicals rests almost entirely in the outermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum (SC), which consists of layers of corneocytes surrounded by highly organized lipid lamellae. As the only continuous path through the SC, transdermal permeation necessarily involves diffusion through these lipid layers. The role of the SC as a protective barrier is supported by its exceptional lipid composition consisting of ceramides (CERs), cholesterol (CHOL), and free fatty acids (FFAs) and the complete absence of phospholipids, which are present in most biological membranes. Molecular simulation, which provides molecular level detail of lipid configurations that can be connected with barrier function, has become a popular tool for studying SC lipid systems. We review this ever-increasing body of literature with the goals of (1) enabling the experimental skin community to understand, interpret and use the information generated from the simulations, (2) providing simulation experts with a solid background in the chemistry of SC lipids including the composition, structure and organization, and barrier function, and (3) presenting a state of the art picture of the field of SC lipid simulations, highlighting the difficulties and best practices for studying these systems, to encourage the generation of robust reproducible studies in the future. This review describes molecular simulation methodology and then critically examines results derived from simulations using atomistic and then coarse-grained models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parashara Shamaprasad
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America; Multiscale Modeling and Simulation (MuMS) Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America
| | - Chloe O Frame
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America; Multiscale Modeling and Simulation (MuMS) Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America
| | - Timothy C Moore
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America; Multiscale Modeling and Simulation (MuMS) Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America
| | - Alexander Yang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America; Multiscale Modeling and Simulation (MuMS) Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America
| | - Christopher R Iacovella
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America; Multiscale Modeling and Simulation (MuMS) Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America
| | - Joke A Bouwstra
- Division of BioTherapeutics, LACDR, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Annette L Bunge
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, United States of America
| | - Clare McCabe
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America; Multiscale Modeling and Simulation (MuMS) Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America; School of Engineering and Physical Science, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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14
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15
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Chen Y, Liao M, Ma K, Wang Z, Demé B, Penfold J, Lu JR, R P Webster J, Li P. Implications of surfactant hydrophobic chain architecture on the Surfactant-Skin lipid model interaction. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 608:405-415. [PMID: 34628313 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.09.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Although surfactants have been widely used in skin care and other related applications, our knowledge about how surfactants interact with stratum corneum (SC) lipids remains limited. This work reports how surfactants interact with a lipid SC model by neutron diffraction and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, focusing on examining the impact of surfactant molecular architecture. The surfactant-SC mixed membrane was constructed by an equimolar mixture of ceramide/cholesterol/fatty acids and surfactant at 1% molar ratio of total lipids. The arrangements of water and surfactant molecules in the membrane were obtained through neutron scattering length density (NSLD) profiles via contrast variation method, meanwhile, MD simulation clearly demonstrated the mechanism of hydration change in the surfactant-model SC mixed membrane. No drastic difference was detected in the repeating distance of the short periodicity phase (SPP) upon adding surfactants, however, it significantly enhanced the membrane hydration and reduced the amount of phase separated crystalline cholesterol, showing a strong dependence on surfactant chain length, branching and double bond. This work clearly demonstrates how surfactant architecture affects its interaction with the SC membrane, providing useful guidance for either choosing an existing surfactant or designing a new one for surfactant-based transdermal application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Chen
- ISIS Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, STFC, Didcot, OXON, UK OX11 0QX
| | - Mingrui Liao
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, the University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Kun Ma
- ISIS Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, STFC, Didcot, OXON, UK OX11 0QX
| | - Zi Wang
- School of Science, State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum , Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Bruno Demé
- Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble, France
| | - Jeff Penfold
- ISIS Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, STFC, Didcot, OXON, UK OX11 0QX
| | - Jian R Lu
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, the University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - John R P Webster
- ISIS Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, STFC, Didcot, OXON, UK OX11 0QX
| | - Peixun Li
- ISIS Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, STFC, Didcot, OXON, UK OX11 0QX.
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16
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Cholesterol Sulfate Fluidizes the Sterol Fraction of the Stratum Corneum Lipid Phase and Increases its Permeability. J Lipid Res 2022; 63:100177. [PMID: 35143845 PMCID: PMC8953687 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2022.100177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Desulfation of cholesterol sulfate (CholS) to cholesterol (Chol) is an important event in epidermal homeostasis and necessary for stratum corneum (SC) barrier function. The CholS/Chol ratio decreases during SC maturation but remains high in pathological conditions, such as X-linked ichthyosis, characterized by dry and scaly skin. The aim of this study was to characterize the influence of the CholS/Chol molar ratio on the structure, dynamics, and permeability of SC lipid model mixtures. We synthesized deuterated CholS and investigated lipid models with specifically deuterated components using 2H solid-state NMR spectroscopy at temperatures from 25°C to 80°C. Although the rigid acyl chains in ceramides and fatty acids remained essentially rigid upon variation of the CholS/Chol ratio, both sterols were increasingly fluidized in lipid models containing higher CholS concentrations. We also show the X-ray repeat distance of the lipid lamellar phase (105 Å) and the orthorhombic chain packing of the ceramide’s acyl chains and long free fatty acids did not change upon the variation of the CholS content. However, the Chol phase separation visible in models with high Chol concentration disappeared at the 50:50 CholS/Chol ratio. This increased fluidity resulted in higher permeabilities to model markers of these SC models. These results reveal that a high CholS/Chol ratio fluidizes the sterol fraction and increases the permeability of the SC lipid phase while maintaining the lamellar lipid arrangement with an asymmetric sterol distribution.
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17
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Hsieh MK, Yu Y, Klauda JB. All-Atom Modeling of Complex Cellular Membranes. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:3-17. [PMID: 34962814 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c02084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cell membranes are composed of a variety of lipids and proteins where they interact with each other to fulfill their roles. The first step in modeling these interactions in molecular simulations is to have reliable mimetics of the membrane's lipid environment. This Feature Article presents our recent efforts to model complex cellular membranes using all-atom force fields. A short review of the CHARMM36 (C36) lipid force field and its recent update to incorporate the long-range dispersion is presented. Key examples of model membranes mimicking various species and organelles are given. These include single-celled organisms such as bacteria (E. coli., chlamydia, and P. aeruginosa) and yeast (plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, and trans-Golgi network) and more advanced ones such as plants (soybean and Arabidopsis thaliana) and mammals (ocular lens, stratum corneum, and peripheral nerve myelin). Leaflet asymmetry in composition has also been applied to some of these models. With the increased lipid diversity in the C36 lipid FF, these complex models can better reflect the structural, mechanical, and dynamic properties of realistic membranes and open an opportunity to study biological processes involving other molecules.
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18
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Ruan J, Zhong T, Zhang S, Liu C, Quan P, Fang L. A Systematic Quantitative Evaluation of Permeation Enhancement Window: Transdermal Permeation Enhancing Dynamics Establishment and Molecular Mechanisms Characterization of Permeation Enhancer. J Pharm Sci 2022; 111:1962-1972. [PMID: 34999089 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2021.12.026] [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: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
At present, transdermal permeation enhancing dynamics studies on permeation enhancers are still limited. In this study, these dynamics were established based on the content of enhancer Plurol Oleique CC in skin (CPOCC) and the increment of drug permeation amount (ΔQ). A new concept deemed "permeation enhancement window" (ΔCPOCC), comprised of a threshold dose (Cthr), maximal dose (Cmax) and permeation enhancement efficiency (Eff) was used to evaluate the enhancement effect of POCC for different drugs. According to results of FT-IR, ATR-FTIR and DSC analyses, the higher CPOCC of patches containing acidic drugs vs. basic drugs resulted from their stronger interaction with pressure-sensitive adhesives, leading to more free POCC and a greater disturbing effect on stratum corneum (SC) lipids. Below Cthr, a longer lag phase for acidic drugs resulted from more POCC required to compete with ceramide. When CPOCC exceeded Cmax by about 400 μg/g, plateau phases for all drugs were reached due to the upper limit of SC lipid fluidity, as confirmed by SAXS and Raman imaging. In summary, the differences in the permeation enhancement window for the test drugs resulted from the varied interaction strengths among POCC, drugs and adhesives, as well as changeable SC lipid fluidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiuheng Ruan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Ting Zhong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Peng Quan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Liang Fang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China.
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19
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Piasentin N, Lian G, Cai Q. Evaluation of Constrained and Restrained Molecular Dynamics Simulation Methods for Predicting Skin Lipid Permeability. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:35363-35374. [PMID: 34984268 PMCID: PMC8717400 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c04684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Recently, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been utilized to investigate the barrier properties of human skin stratum corneum (SC) lipid bilayers. Different MD methods and force fields have been utilized, with predicted permeabilities varying by few orders of magnitude. In this work, we compare constrained MD simulations with restrained MD simulations to obtain the potential of the mean force and the diffusion coefficient profile for the case of a water molecule permeating across an SC lipid bilayer. Corresponding permeabilities of the simulated lipid bilayer are calculated via the inhomogeneous solubility diffusion model. Results show that both methods perform similarly, but restrained MD simulations have proven to be the more robust approach for predicting the potential of the mean force profile. Critical to both methods are the sampling of the whole trans-bilayer axis and the following symmetrization process. Re-analysis of the previously reported free energy profiles showed that some of the discrepancies in the reported permeability values is due to misquotation of units, while some are due to the inaccurately obtained potential of the mean force. By using the existing microscopic geometrical models via the intercellular lipid pathway, the permeation through the whole SC is predicted from the MD simulation results, and the predicted barrier properties have been compared to experimental data from the literature with good agreement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Piasentin
- Department
of Chemical and Process Engineering, University
of Surrey, Guildford GU27XH, U.K..
- Unilever
R&D Colworth, Unilever, Sharnbrook MK441LQ, U.K..
| | - Guoping Lian
- Department
of Chemical and Process Engineering, University
of Surrey, Guildford GU27XH, U.K..
- Unilever
R&D Colworth, Unilever, Sharnbrook MK441LQ, U.K..
- . Phone: +44 1234 222741
| | - Qiong Cai
- Department
of Chemical and Process Engineering, University
of Surrey, Guildford GU27XH, U.K..
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20
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Róg T, Girych M, Bunker A. Mechanistic Understanding from Molecular Dynamics in Pharmaceutical Research 2: Lipid Membrane in Drug Design. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:1062. [PMID: 34681286 PMCID: PMC8537670 DOI: 10.3390/ph14101062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We review the use of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation as a drug design tool in the context of the role that the lipid membrane can play in drug action, i.e., the interaction between candidate drug molecules and lipid membranes. In the standard "lock and key" paradigm, only the interaction between the drug and a specific active site of a specific protein is considered; the environment in which the drug acts is, from a biophysical perspective, far more complex than this. The possible mechanisms though which a drug can be designed to tinker with physiological processes are significantly broader than merely fitting to a single active site of a single protein. In this paper, we focus on the role of the lipid membrane, arguably the most important element outside the proteins themselves, as a case study. We discuss work that has been carried out, using MD simulation, concerning the transfection of drugs through membranes that act as biological barriers in the path of the drugs, the behavior of drug molecules within membranes, how their collective behavior can affect the structure and properties of the membrane and, finally, the role lipid membranes, to which the vast majority of drug target proteins are associated, can play in mediating the interaction between drug and target protein. This review paper is the second in a two-part series covering MD simulation as a tool in pharmaceutical research; both are designed as pedagogical review papers aimed at both pharmaceutical scientists interested in exploring how the tool of MD simulation can be applied to their research and computational scientists interested in exploring the possibility of a pharmaceutical context for their research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Róg
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Mykhailo Girych
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Alex Bunker
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
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21
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Xu W, Liu C, Zhang Y, Quan P, Yang D, Fang L. An investigation on the effect of drug physicochemical properties on the enhancement strength of enhancer: The role of drug-skin-enhancer interactions. Int J Pharm 2021; 607:120945. [PMID: 34363912 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The aim of present work was to investigate the influence of drug physicochemical properties on the enhancement effect of enhancers, which guided the application of enhancers in different drug transdermal prescriptions. Firstly, Polyglyceryl-3 dioleate (POCC) was selected as a model enhancer and its enhancement effect on ten drugs was assessed by in vitro skin permeation experiment. Secondly, the correlation analysis of physicochemical properties of drugs was carried out from the aspects of partition and permeation. The interactions of drug-skin-POCC were elucidated by FT-IR, molecular docking, solubility parameters calculation, ATR-FTIR, Raman study, molecular dynamics simulation and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The results showed that the enhancement ratio (ER) of drugs was ranging from 2.23 to 7.45. On one hand, the miscibility between drugs with low polar surface area (P.S.A) and donor solution was decreased more pronounced by the addition of POCC because of the drug was difficult to form hydrogen-bond with POCC, facilitating the vehicle/SC partition of drugs. On the other hand, the permeation of drugs with low P.S.A and polarizability was enhanced more significantly by POCC because the drug was less likely to interact with skin lipids compared to others, causing that POCC had more chance to interact with skin lipids to improve permeation drugs across the SC more easily. In conclusion, the different strength of drug-skin-POCC interactions was the main reason for the discrepancy in the enhancement effect of the POCC on ten drugs, which laid a basis for the research on the drug-specific molecular mechanisms of enhancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Xu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Peng Quan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Degong Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Liang Fang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China.
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22
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Gurtovenko AA, Karttunen M. How to control interactions of cellulose-based biomaterials with skin: the role of acidity in the contact area. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:6507-6518. [PMID: 34100057 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00608h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Being able to control the interactions of biomaterials with living tissues and skin is highly desirable for many biomedical applications. This is particularly the case for cellulose-based materials which provide one of the most versatile platforms for tissue engineering due to their strength, biocompatibility and abundance. Achieving such control, however, requires detailed molecular-level knowledge of the dominant interaction mechanisms. Here, we employed both biased and unbiased atomic-scale molecular dynamics simulations to explore how cellulose crystals interact with model stratum corneum bilayers, ternary mixtures of ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids. Our findings show that acidity in the contact area directly affects binding between cellulose and the stratum corneum bilayer: Protonation of free fatty acids in the bilayer promotes attractive cellulose-bilayer interactions. We identified two major factors that control the cellulose-skin interactions: (i) the electrostatic repulsion between a cellulose crystal and the charged (anionic due to deprotonated fatty acids) surface of a stratum corneum bilayer and (ii) the cellulose-stratum corneum hydrogen bonding. When less than half of the fatty acids in the bilayer are protonated, the first factor dominates and there is no binding to skin. At a larger degree of fatty acid protonation the cellulose-stratum corneum hydrogen bonding prevails yielding a tight binding. Remarkably, we found that ceramide molecules are the key component in hydrogen bonding with cellulose. Overall, our findings highlight the critical role of fatty acid protonation in biomaterial-stratum corneum interactions and can be used for optimizing the surface properties of cellulose-based materials aimed at biomedical applications such as wound dressings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey A Gurtovenko
- Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Bolshoi Prospect V.O. 31, St. Petersburg 199004, Russia.
| | - Mikko Karttunen
- Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Bolshoi Prospect V.O. 31, St. Petersburg 199004, Russia. and Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada and Department of Applied Mathematics, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada and The Centre for Advanced Materials and Biomaterials Research, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario N6A 5K7, Canada
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23
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Bozdaganyan ME, Orekhov PS. Synergistic Effect of Chemical Penetration Enhancers on Lidocaine Permeability Revealed by Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulations. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:410. [PMID: 34072597 PMCID: PMC8227207 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11060410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The search for new formulations for transdermal drug delivery (TDD) is an important field in medicine and cosmetology. Molecules with specific physicochemical properties which can increase the permeability of active ingredients across the stratum corneum (SC) are called chemical penetration enhancers (CPEs), and it was shown that some CPEs can act synergistically. In this study, we performed coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the lidocaine delivery facilitated by two CPEs-linoleic acid (LA) and ethanol-through the SC model membrane containing cholesterol, N-Stearoylsphingosine (DCPE), and behenic acid. In our simulations, we probed the effects of individual CPEs as well as their combination on various properties of the SC membrane and the lidocaine penetration across it. We demonstrated that the addition of both CPEs decreases the membrane thickness and the order parameters of the DPCE hydrocarbon chains. Moreover, LA also enhances diffusion of the SC membrane components, especially cholesterol. The estimated potential of mean force (PMF) profiles for the lidocaine translocation across SC in the presence/absence of two individual CPEs and their combination demonstrated that while ethanol lowers the free energy barrier for lidocaine to enter SC, LA decreases the depth of the free energy minima for lidocaine inside SC. These two effects supposedly result in synergistic penetration enhancement of drugs. Altogether, the present simulations provide a detailed molecular picture of CPEs' action and their synergistic effect on the penetration of small molecular weight therapeutics that can be beneficial for the design of novel drug and cosmetics formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine E. Bozdaganyan
- School of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia;
- N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Philipp S. Orekhov
- School of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia;
- Institute of Personalized Medicine, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Research Center of Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
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24
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Narangifard A, Wennberg CL, den Hollander L, Iwai I, Han H, Lundborg M, Masich S, Lindahl E, Daneholt B, Norlén L. Molecular Reorganization during the Formation of the Human Skin Barrier Studied In Situ. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 141:1243-1253.e6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.07.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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25
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Nováčková A, Sagrafena I, Pullmannová P, Paraskevopoulos G, Dwivedi A, Mazumder A, Růžičková K, Slepička P, Zbytovská J, Vávrová K. Acidic pH Is Required for the Multilamellar Assembly of Skin Barrier Lipids In Vitro. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 141:1915-1921.e4. [PMID: 33675786 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Lipid membrane remodeling belongs to the most fundamental processes in the body. The skin barrier lipids, which are ceramide dominant and highly rigid, must attain an unusual multilamellar nanostructure with long periodicity to restrict water loss and prevent the entry of potentially harmful environmental factors. Our data suggest that the skin acid mantle, apart from regulating enzyme activities and keeping away pathogens, may also be a prerequisite for the multilamellar assembly of the skin barrier lipids. Atomic force microscopy on monolayers composed of synthetic or human stratum corneum lipids showed multilayer formation (approximately 10-nm step height) in an acidic but not in a neutral environment. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and permeability studies showed markedly altered lipid nanostructure and increased water loss at neutral pH compared with that at acidic pH. These findings are consistent with the data on the altered organization of skin lipids and increased transepidermal water loss under conditions such as inadequate skin acidification, for example, in neonates, the elderly, and patients with atopic dermatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nováčková
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Irene Sagrafena
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Pullmannová
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | | | - Anupma Dwivedi
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Anisha Mazumder
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Růžičková
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Slepička
- Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jarmila Zbytovská
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Vávrová
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
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26
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Casalini T. Not only in silico drug discovery: Molecular modeling towards in silico drug delivery formulations. J Control Release 2021; 332:390-417. [PMID: 33675875 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The use of methods at molecular scale for the discovery of new potential active ligands, as well as previously unknown binding sites for target proteins, is now an established reality. Literature offers many successful stories of active compounds developed starting from insights obtained in silico and approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA). One of the most famous examples is raltegravir, a HIV integrase inhibitor, which was developed after the discovery of a previously unknown transient binding area thanks to molecular dynamics simulations. Molecular simulations have the potential to also improve the design and engineering of drug delivery devices, which are still largely based on fundamental conservation equations. Although they can highlight the dominant release mechanism and quantitatively link the release rate to design parameters (size, drug loading, et cetera), their spatial resolution does not allow to fully capture how phenomena at molecular scale influence system behavior. In this scenario, the "computational microscope" offered by simulations at atomic scale can shed light on the impact of molecular interactions on crucial parameters such as release rate and the response of the drug delivery device to external stimuli, providing insights that are difficult or impossible to obtain experimentally. Moreover, the new paradigm brought by nanomedicine further underlined the importance of such computational microscope to study the interactions between nanoparticles and biological components with an unprecedented level of detail. Such knowledge is a fundamental pillar to perform device engineering and to achieve efficient and safe formulations. After a brief theoretical background, this review aims at discussing the potential of molecular simulations for the rational design of drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Casalini
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Bioscience, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, Zürich 8093, Switzerland; Polymer Engineering Laboratory, Institute for Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), Via la Santa 1, Lugano 6962, Switzerland.
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27
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Ramos AP, Bouwstra JA, Lafleur M. Very Long Chain Lipids Favor the Formation of a Homogeneous Phase in Stratum Corneum Model Membranes. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:13899-13907. [PMID: 33170015 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c02305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The stratum corneum (SC), the outermost layer of mammal epidermis, acts as a barrier dictating the rate of absorption of exogenous molecules through the skin, as well as to prevent excessive water loss from the body. The SC consists of protein-rich corneocytes embedded into a complex lipid mixture. The lipid fraction is mainly constituted of an equimolar mixture of ceramides (Cer), free fatty acids (FFA), and cholesterol (Chol), forming a solid phase in the intracellular space; this lipid phase is supposed to play a fundamental role in the SC barrier function. An unusual characteristic of this biological membrane is that its lipids generally bear very long acyl chains, with the 24-carbon long ones being the most abundant. In this work, we used Raman microspectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy to study the influence of the acyl chain length on the lipid mixing properties in SC model membranes. Our results revealed that the combination of ceramides and FFA bearing a very long chain is required for the formation of homogeneous lipid mixtures, while lipids with shorter chains (16-carbon and 20-carbon atom long) lead to domains with micrometer dimensions. It is proposed that the biological machinery necessary for acyl chain elongation occurring at the mammalian skin level is required to inhibit lipid phase separation, a critical feature in the proper barrier functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Paz Ramos
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Joke A Bouwstra
- Drug Delivery Technology, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Michel Lafleur
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal QC H3C 3J7, Canada
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28
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Engberg O, Kováčik A, Pullmannová P, Juhaščik M, Opálka L, Huster D, Vávrová K. The Sphingosine and Acyl Chains of Ceramide [NS] Show Very Different Structure and Dynamics That Challenge Our Understanding of the Skin Barrier. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:17383-17387. [PMID: 32515145 PMCID: PMC7540555 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202003375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The lipid phase of the uppermost human skin layer is thought to comprise highly rigid lipids in an orthorhombic phase state to protect the body against the environment. By synthesizing sphingosine-d28 deuterated N-lignoceroyl-d-erythro-sphingosine (ceramide [NS]), we compare the structure and dynamics of both chains of that lipid in biologically relevant mixtures using X-ray diffraction, 2 H NMR analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. Our results reveal a substantial fraction of sphingosine chains in a fluid and dynamic phase state at physiological temperature. These findings prompt revision of our current understanding of the skin lipid barrier, where an extended ceramide [NS] conformation is preferred and a possible domain structure is proposed. Mobile lipid chains may be crucial for skin elasticity and the translocation of physiologically important molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Engberg
- Institute of Medical Physics and BiophysicsUniversity of LeipzigHärtelstr. 16–1804275LeipzigGermany
| | - Andrej Kováčik
- Skin Barrier Research GroupFaculty of Pharmacy in Hradec KrálovéCharles UniversityAkademika Heyrovského 120350005Hradec KrálovéCzech Republic
| | - Petra Pullmannová
- Skin Barrier Research GroupFaculty of Pharmacy in Hradec KrálovéCharles UniversityAkademika Heyrovského 120350005Hradec KrálovéCzech Republic
| | - Martin Juhaščik
- Skin Barrier Research GroupFaculty of Pharmacy in Hradec KrálovéCharles UniversityAkademika Heyrovského 120350005Hradec KrálovéCzech Republic
| | - Lukáš Opálka
- Skin Barrier Research GroupFaculty of Pharmacy in Hradec KrálovéCharles UniversityAkademika Heyrovského 120350005Hradec KrálovéCzech Republic
| | - Daniel Huster
- Institute of Medical Physics and BiophysicsUniversity of LeipzigHärtelstr. 16–1804275LeipzigGermany
- Department of Chemical ScienceTata Institute of Fundamental ResearchDr. Homi Bhabha Road, ColabaMumbai400 005India
| | - Kateřina Vávrová
- Skin Barrier Research GroupFaculty of Pharmacy in Hradec KrálovéCharles UniversityAkademika Heyrovského 120350005Hradec KrálovéCzech Republic
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29
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Engberg O, Kováčik A, Pullmannová P, Juhaščik M, Opálka L, Huster D, Vávrová K. Die unterschiedliche Struktur und Dynamik der Sphingosin‐ und Acylketten von Ceramid [NS] verändern unser Verständnis der Struktur der Hautbarriere. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202003375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Engberg
- Institut für Medizinische Physik und Biophysik Universität Leipzig Härtelstraße 16–18 04275 Leipzig Deutschland
| | - Andrej Kováčik
- Skin Barrier Research Group Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Charles University Akademika Heyrovského 1203 50005 Hradec Králové Czech Republi
| | - Petra Pullmannová
- Skin Barrier Research Group Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Charles University Akademika Heyrovského 1203 50005 Hradec Králové Czech Republi
| | - Martin Juhaščik
- Skin Barrier Research Group Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Charles University Akademika Heyrovského 1203 50005 Hradec Králové Czech Republi
| | - Lukáš Opálka
- Skin Barrier Research Group Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Charles University Akademika Heyrovského 1203 50005 Hradec Králové Czech Republi
| | - Daniel Huster
- Institut für Medizinische Physik und Biophysik Universität Leipzig Härtelstraße 16–18 04275 Leipzig Deutschland
- Department of Chemical Science Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Colaba Mumbai 400 005 Indien
| | - Kateřina Vávrová
- Skin Barrier Research Group Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Charles University Akademika Heyrovského 1203 50005 Hradec Králové Czech Republi
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30
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Paz Ramos A, Gooris G, Bouwstra J, Molinari M, Lafleur M. Raman and AFM-IR chemical imaging of stratum corneum model membranes. CAN J CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1139/cjc-2019-0471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Stratum corneum (SC), the outermost layer of the epidermis, is the primary barrier to percutaneous absorption. The diffusion of substances through the skin occurs through the SC lipid fraction, which is essentially constituted of an equimolar mixture of ceramides, free fatty acids, and cholesterol. The lipid constituents of SC are mainly forming continuous multilamellar membranes in the solid/crystalline state. However, recent findings suggest the presence of a highly disordered (liquid) phase formed by the unsaturated C18 chain of ceramide EOS, surrounded by a highly ordered lipid environment. The aim of the present work was to study the lipid spatial distribution of model SC membranes composed of ceramide EOS, ceramide NS, a mixture of free fatty acids, and cholesterol, using Raman microspectroscopy and AFM-IR spectroscopy techniques. The enhanced spatial resolution at the tens of nanometers scale of the AFM-IR technique revealed that the lipid matrix is overall homogeneous, with the presence of small, slightly enriched, and depleted regions in a lipid component. No liquid domains of ceramide EOS were observed at this scale, a result that is consistent with the model proposing that the oleate nanodrops are concentrated in the central layer of the three-layer organization of the SC membranes forming the long periodicity phase. In addition, both Raman microspectroscopy and AFM-IR techniques confirmed the fluid nature of the unsaturated chain of ceramide EOS while the rest of the lipid matrix was found highly ordered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Paz Ramos
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Gert Gooris
- Department of Drug Delivery Technology, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Joke Bouwstra
- Department of Drug Delivery Technology, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Michael Molinari
- Institut de chimie et biologie des membranes et des nano-objets, CNRS UMR 5248, Université de Bordeaux, IPB, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Michel Lafleur
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
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31
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Beddoes C, Gooris GS, Foglia F, Ahmadi D, Barlow DJ, Lawrence MJ, Demé B, Bouwstra JA. Arrangement of Ceramides in the Skin: Sphingosine Chains Localize at a Single Position in Stratum Corneum Lipid Matrix Models. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:10270-10278. [PMID: 32816488 PMCID: PMC7498151 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the structure of the stratum corneum (SC) is essential to understand the skin barrier process. The long periodicity phase (LPP) is a unique trilayer lamellar structure located in the SC. Adjustments in the composition of the lipid matrix, as in many skin abnormalities, can have severe effects on the lipid organization and barrier function. Although the location of individual lipid subclasses has been identified, the lipid conformation at these locations remains uncertain. Contrast variation experiments via small-angle neutron diffraction were used to investigate the conformation of ceramide (CER) N-(tetracosanoyl)-sphingosine (NS) within both simplistic and porcine mimicking LPP models. To identify the lipid conformation of the twin chain CER NS, the chains were individually deuterated, and their scattering length profiles were calculated to identify their locations in the LPP unit cell. In the repeating trilayer unit of the LPP, the acyl chain of CER NS was located in the central and outer layers, while the sphingosine chain was located exclusively in the middle of the outer layers. Thus, for the CER NS with the acyl chain in the central layer, this demonstrates an extended conformation. Electron density distribution profiles identified that the lipid structure remains consistent regardless of the lipid's lateral packing phase, this may be partially due to the anchoring of the extended CER NS. The presented results provide a more detailed insight on the internal arrangement of the LPP lipids and how they are expected to be arranged in healthy skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte
M. Beddoes
- Division
of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, University of Leiden, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Gert S. Gooris
- Division
of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, University of Leiden, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Fabrizia Foglia
- Chemistry
Department, Christopher Ingold Laboratories, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
| | - Delaram Ahmadi
- Pharmaceutical
Science Division, King’s College
London, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Barlow
- Pharmaceutical
Science Division, King’s College
London, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - M. Jayne Lawrence
- Division
of Pharmacy and Optometry, Manchester University, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno Demé
- Institute
Laue-Langevin, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Joke A. Bouwstra
- Division
of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, University of Leiden, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands
- . Tel: 00 31 71 527 4208. Fax: 00 31 71 527 4565
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32
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MacDermaid CM, Hall KW, DeVane RH, Klein ML, Fiorin G. Coexistence of Lipid Phases Stabilizes Interstitial Water in the Outer Layer of Mammalian Skin. Biophys J 2020; 118:1588-1601. [PMID: 32101711 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.01.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The lipid matrix in the outer layer of mammalian skin, the stratum corneum, has been previously investigated by multiple biophysical techniques aimed at identifying hydrophilic and lipophilic pathways of permeation. Although consensus is developing over the microscopic structure of the lipid matrix, no molecular-resolution model describes the permeability of all chemical species simultaneously. Using molecular dynamics simulations of a model mixture of skin lipids, the self-assembly of the lipid matrix lamellae has been studied. At higher humidity, the resulting lamellar phase is maintained by partitioning excess water into isolated droplets of controlled size and spatial distribution. The droplets may fuse together to form intralamellar water channels, thereby providing a pathway for the permeation of hydrophilic species. These results reconcile competing data on the outer skin's structure and broaden the scope of molecular-based methods to improve the safety of topical products and to advance transdermal drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M MacDermaid
- Institute for Computational Molecular Science and Temple Materials Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kyle Wm Hall
- Institute for Computational Molecular Science and Temple Materials Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Michael L Klein
- Institute for Computational Molecular Science and Temple Materials Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Giacomo Fiorin
- Institute for Computational Molecular Science and Temple Materials Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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