1
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Fielden SDP. Kinetically Controlled and Nonequilibrium Assembly of Block Copolymers in Solution. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:18781-18796. [PMID: 38967256 PMCID: PMC11258791 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c03314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Covalent polymers are versatile macromolecules that have found widespread use in society. Contemporary methods of polymerization have made it possible to construct sequence polymers, including block copolymers, with high precision. Such copolymers assemble in solution when the blocks have differing solubilities. This produces nano- and microparticles of various shapes and sizes. While it is straightforward to draw an analogy between such amphiphilic block copolymers and phospholipids, these two classes of molecules show quite different assembly characteristics. In particular, block copolymers often assemble under kinetic control, thus producing nonequilibrium structures. This leads to a rich variety of behaviors being observed in block copolymer assembly, such as pathway dependence (e.g., thermal history), nonergodicity and responsiveness. The dynamics of polymer assemblies can be readily controlled using changes in environmental conditions and/or integrating functional groups situated on polymers with external chemical reactions. This perspective highlights that kinetic control is both pervasive and a useful attribute in the mechanics of block copolymer assembly. Recent examples are highlighted in order to show that toggling between static and dynamic behavior can be used to generate, manipulate and dismantle nonequilibrium states. New methods to control the kinetics of block copolymer assembly will provide endless unanticipated applications in materials science, biomimicry and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen D. P. Fielden
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
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2
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Brodszkij E, Städler B. Advances in block copolymer-phospholipid hybrid vesicles: from physical-chemical properties to applications. Chem Sci 2024; 15:10724-10744. [PMID: 39027291 PMCID: PMC11253165 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc01444h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Hybrid vesicles, made of lipids and amphiphilic block copolymers, have become increasingly popular thanks to their versatile properties that enable the construction of intricate membranes mimicking cellular structures. This tutorial review gives an overview over the different hybrid vesicle designs, and provides a detailed analysis of their properties, including their composition, membrane fluidity, membrane homogeneity, permeability, stability. The review puts emphasis on the application of these hybrid vesicles in bottom-up synthetic biology and aims to offer an overview of design guidelines, particularly focusing on composition, to eventually realize the intended applications of these hybrid vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edit Brodszkij
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) Aarhus University Gustave Wieds Vej 14 8000 Aarhus C Denmark
| | - Brigitte Städler
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) Aarhus University Gustave Wieds Vej 14 8000 Aarhus C Denmark
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3
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Brodszkij E, Ryberg C, Lyons JA, Juhl DW, Nielsen NC, Sigalas NI, Lyulin AV, Pedersen JS, Städler B. Poly(Sitosterol)-Based Hydrophobic Blocks in Amphiphilic Block Copolymers for the Assembly of Hybrid Vesicles. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2401934. [PMID: 38860565 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202401934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Amphiphilic block copolymer and lipids can be assembled into hybrid vesicles (HVs), which are an alternative to liposomes and polymersomes. Block copolymers that have either poly(sitostryl methacrylate) or statistical copolymers of sitosteryl methacrylate and butyl methacrylate as the hydrophobic part and a poly(carboxyethyl acrylate) hydrophilic segment are synthesized and characterized. These block copolymers assemble into small HVs with soybean L-α-phosphatidylcholine (soyPC), confirmed by electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering. The membrane's hybrid nature is illustrated by fluorescence resonance energy transfer between labeled building blocks. The membrane packing, derived from spectra when using Laurdan as an environmentally sensitive fluorescent probe, is comparable between small HVs and the corresponding liposomes with molecular sitosterol, although the former show indications of transmembrane asymmetry. Giant HVs with homogenous distribution of the block copolymers and soyPC in their membranes are assembled using the electroformation method. The lateral diffusion of both building blocks is slowed down in giant HVs with higher block copolymer content, but their permeability toward (6)-carboxy-X-rhodamine is higher compared to giant vesicles made of soyPC and molecular sitosterol. This fundamental effort contributes to the rapidly expanding understanding of the integration of natural membrane constituents with designed synthetic compounds to form hybrid membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edit Brodszkij
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Cecilie Ryberg
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Joseph A Lyons
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Dennis Wilkens Juhl
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Niels Chr Nielsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Nikolaos I Sigalas
- Soft Matter and Biological Physics Group, Department of Applied Physics, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Alexey V Lyulin
- Soft Matter and Biological Physics Group, Department of Applied Physics, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Skov Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Brigitte Städler
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
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4
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Otrin N, Otrin L, Bednarz C, Träger TK, Hamdi F, Kastritis PL, Ivanov I, Sundmacher K. Protein-Rich Rafts in Hybrid Polymer/Lipid Giant Unilamellar Vesicles. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:778-791. [PMID: 38190609 PMCID: PMC10865357 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00972] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Considerable attention has been dedicated to lipid rafts due to their importance in numerous cell functions such as membrane trafficking, polarization, and signaling. Next to studies in living cells, artificial micrometer-sized vesicles with a minimal set of components are established as a major tool to understand the phase separation dynamics and their intimate interplay with membrane proteins. In parallel, mixtures of phospholipids and certain amphiphilic polymers simultaneously offer an interface for proteins and mimic this segregation behavior, presenting a tangible synthetic alternative for fundamental studies and bottom-up design of cellular mimics. However, the simultaneous insertion of complex and sensitive membrane proteins is experimentally challenging and thus far has been largely limited to natural lipids. Here, we present the co-reconstitution of the proton pump bo3 oxidase and the proton consumer ATP synthase in hybrid polymer/lipid giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) via fusion/electroformation. Variations of the current method allow for tailored reconstitution protocols and control of the vesicle size. In particular, mixing of protein-free and protein-functionalized nanosized vesicles in the electroformation film results in larger GUVs, while separate reconstitution of the respiratory enzymes enables higher ATP synthesis rates. Furthermore, protein labeling provides a synthetic mechanism for phase separation and protein sequestration, mimicking lipid- and protein-mediated domain formation in nature. The latter means opens further possibilities for re-enacting phenomena like supercomplex assembly or symmetry breaking and enriches the toolbox of bottom-up synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nika Otrin
- Process
Systems Engineering, Max Planck Institute
for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstrasse 1, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Lado Otrin
- Process
Systems Engineering, Max Planck Institute
for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstrasse 1, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Bednarz
- Process
Systems Engineering, Max Planck Institute
for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstrasse 1, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Toni K. Träger
- Interdisciplinary
Research Center HALOmem and Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Biozentrum, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Farzad Hamdi
- Interdisciplinary
Research Center HALOmem and Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Biozentrum, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Panagiotis L. Kastritis
- Interdisciplinary
Research Center HALOmem and Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Biozentrum, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
- Institute
of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research
Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece
| | - Ivan Ivanov
- Process
Systems Engineering, Max Planck Institute
for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstrasse 1, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Grup
de Biotecnologia Molecular i Industrial, Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Rambla Sant Nebridi 22, 08222 Terrassa, Spain
| | - Kai Sundmacher
- Process
Systems Engineering, Max Planck Institute
for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstrasse 1, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
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5
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Maffeis V, Heuberger L, Nikoletić A, Schoenenberger C, Palivan CG. Synthetic Cells Revisited: Artificial Cells Construction Using Polymeric Building Blocks. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2305837. [PMID: 37984885 PMCID: PMC10885666 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The exponential growth of research on artificial cells and organelles underscores their potential as tools to advance the understanding of fundamental biological processes. The bottom-up construction from a variety of building blocks at the micro- and nanoscale, in combination with biomolecules is key to developing artificial cells. In this review, artificial cells are focused upon based on compartments where polymers are the main constituent of the assembly. Polymers are of particular interest due to their incredible chemical variety and the advantage of tuning the properties and functionality of their assemblies. First, the architectures of micro- and nanoscale polymer assemblies are introduced and then their usage as building blocks is elaborated upon. Different membrane-bound and membrane-less compartments and supramolecular structures and how they combine into advanced synthetic cells are presented. Then, the functional aspects are explored, addressing how artificial organelles in giant compartments mimic cellular processes. Finally, how artificial cells communicate with their surrounding and each other such as to adapt to an ever-changing environment and achieve collective behavior as a steppingstone toward artificial tissues, is taken a look at. Engineering artificial cells with highly controllable and programmable features open new avenues for the development of sophisticated multifunctional systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Maffeis
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
- NCCR‐Molecular Systems EngineeringBPR 1095, Mattenstrasse 24aBaselCH‐4058Switzerland
| | - Lukas Heuberger
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
| | - Anamarija Nikoletić
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
- Swiss Nanoscience InstituteUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 82BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
| | | | - Cornelia G. Palivan
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
- NCCR‐Molecular Systems EngineeringBPR 1095, Mattenstrasse 24aBaselCH‐4058Switzerland
- Swiss Nanoscience InstituteUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 82BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
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6
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Lira RB, Hammond JCF, Cavalcanti RRM, Rous M, Riske KA, Roos WH. The underlying mechanical properties of membranes tune their ability to fuse. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105430. [PMID: 37926280 PMCID: PMC10716014 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion is a ubiquitous process associated with a multitude of biological events. Although it has long been appreciated that membrane mechanics plays an important role in membrane fusion, the molecular interplay between mechanics and fusion has remained elusive. For example, although different lipids modulate membrane mechanics differently, depending on their composition, molar ratio, and complex interactions, differing lipid compositions may lead to similar mechanical properties. This raises the question of whether (i) the specific lipid composition or (ii) the average mesoscale mechanics of membranes acts as the determining factor for cellular function. Furthermore, little is known about the potential consequences of fusion on membrane disruption. Here, we use a combination of confocal microscopy, time-resolved imaging, and electroporation to shed light onto the underlying mechanical properties of membranes that regulate membrane fusion. Fusion efficiency follows a nearly universal behavior that depends on membrane fluidity parameters, such as membrane viscosity and bending rigidity, rather than on specific lipid composition. This helps explaining why the charged and fluid membranes of the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane are more fusogenic than their outer counterparts. Importantly, we show that physiological levels of cholesterol, a key component of biological membranes, has a mild effect on fusion but significantly enhances membrane mechanical stability against pore formation, suggesting that its high cellular levels buffer the membrane against disruption. The ability of membranes to efficiently fuse while preserving their integrity may have given evolutionary advantages to cells by enabling their function while preserving membrane stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael B Lira
- Moleculaire Biofysica, Zernike Instituut, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
| | - Jayna C F Hammond
- Moleculaire Biofysica, Zernike Instituut, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Madelief Rous
- Moleculaire Biofysica, Zernike Instituut, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Karin A Riske
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wouter H Roos
- Moleculaire Biofysica, Zernike Instituut, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
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7
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Fielden SDP, Derry MJ, Miller AJ, Topham PD, O'Reilly RK. Triggered Polymersome Fusion. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:5824-5833. [PMID: 36877655 PMCID: PMC10021019 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c13049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
The contents of biological cells are retained within compartments formed of phospholipid membranes. The movement of material within and between cells is often mediated by the fusion of phospholipid membranes, which allows mixing of contents or excretion of material into the surrounding environment. Biological membrane fusion is a highly regulated process that is catalyzed by proteins and often triggered by cellular signaling. In contrast, the controlled fusion of polymer-based membranes is largely unexplored, despite the potential application of this process in nanomedicine, smart materials, and reagent trafficking. Here, we demonstrate triggered polymersome fusion. Out-of-equilibrium polymersomes were formed by ring-opening metathesis polymerization-induced self-assembly and persist until a specific chemical signal (pH change) triggers their fusion. Characterization of polymersomes was performed by a variety of techniques, including dynamic light scattering, dry-state/cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The fusion process was followed by time-resolved SAXS analysis. Developing elementary methods of communication between polymersomes, such as fusion, will prove essential for emulating life-like behaviors in synthetic nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen D P Fielden
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Matthew J Derry
- Aston Advanced Materials Research Centre, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Alisha J Miller
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Paul D Topham
- Aston Advanced Materials Research Centre, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Rachel K O'Reilly
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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8
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Demisli S, Galani E, Goulielmaki M, Kyrilis FL, Ilić T, Hamdi F, Crevar M, Kastritis PL, Pletsa V, Nallet F, Savić S, Xenakis A, Papadimitriou V. Encapsulation of cannabidiol in oil-in-water nanoemulsions and nanoemulsion-filled hydrogels: A structure and biological assessment study. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 634:300-313. [PMID: 36535166 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Lipophilic cannabidiol can be solubilized in oil-in water nanoemulsions, which can then be impregnated into chitosan hydrogels forming another colloidal system that will facilitate cannabidiol's release. The delivery from both systems was compared, alongside structural and biological studies, to clarify the effect of the two carriers' structure on the release and toxicity of the systems. EXPERIMENTS Oil-in-water nanoemulsions (NEs) and the respective nanoemulsion-filled chitosan hydrogels (NE/HGs) were formulated as carriers of cannabidiol (CBD). Size, polydispersity and stability of the NEs were evaluated and then membrane dynamics, shape and structure of both systems were investigated with EPR spin probing, SAXS and microscopy. Biocompatibility of the colloidal delivery systems was evaluated through cytotoxicity tests over normal human skin fibroblasts. An ex vivo permeation protocol using porcine ear skin was implemented to assess the release of CBD and its penetration through the skin. FINDINGS Incorporation of the NEs in chitosan hydrogels does not significantly affect their structural properties as evidenced through SAXS, EPR and confocal microscopy. These findings indicate the successful development of a novel nanocarrier that preserves the NE structure with the CBD remaining encapsulated in the oil core while providing new rheological properties advantageous over NEs. Moreover, NE/HGs proved to be more efficient as a carrier for the release of CBD. Cell viability assessment revealed high biocompatibility of the proposed colloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sotiria Demisli
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece; Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Eleni Galani
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece; Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Goulielmaki
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Fotios L Kyrilis
- Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Tanja Ilić
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Cosmetology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Farzad Hamdi
- Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Milkica Crevar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Cosmetology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Vasiliki Pletsa
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Frédéric Nallet
- Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal (CRPP) UMR 5031 CNRS, University of Bordeaux, France
| | - Snežana Savić
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Cosmetology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aristotelis Xenakis
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
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9
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Park H, Wang W, Min SH, Ren Y, Shin K, Han X. Artificial organelles for sustainable chemical energy conversion and production in artificial cells: Artificial mitochondrion and chloroplasts. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:011311. [PMID: 38510162 PMCID: PMC10903398 DOI: 10.1063/5.0131071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Sustainable energy conversion modules are the main challenges for building complex reaction cascades in artificial cells. Recent advances in biotechnology have enabled this sustainable energy supply, especially the adenosine triphosphate (ATP), by mimicking the organelles, which are the core structures for energy conversion in living cells. Three components are mainly shared by the artificial organelles: the membrane compartment separating the inner and outer parts, membrane proteins for proton translocation, and the molecular rotary machine for ATP synthesis. Depending on the initiation factors, they are further categorized into artificial mitochondrion and artificial chloroplasts, which use chemical nutrients for oxidative phosphorylation and light for photosynthesis, respectively. In this review, we summarize the essential components needed for artificial organelles and then review the recent progress on two different artificial organelles. Recent strategies, purified and identified proteins, and working principles are discussed. With more study on the artificial mitochondrion and artificial chloroplasts, they are expected to be very powerful tools, allowing us to achieve complex cascading reactions in artificial cells, like the ones that happen in real cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Park
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Biological Interfaces, Sogang University, South Korea
| | - Weichen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Seo Hyeon Min
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Biological Interfaces, Sogang University, South Korea
| | - Yongshuo Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Kwanwoo Shin
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Biological Interfaces, Sogang University, South Korea
| | - Xiaojun Han
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
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10
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Sincari V, Jäger E, Loureiro KC, Vragovic M, Hofmann E, Schlenk M, Filipová M, Rydvalová E, Štěpánek P, Hrubý M, Förster S, Jäger A. pH-Dependent disruption of giant polymer vesicles: a step towards biomimetic membranes. Polym Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1039/d2py01229d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The spatiotemporal pH-triggered controlled release of a hydrophilic probe in a pH-responsive PGUV system demonstrates its potential as a biomimetic system for drug delivery, microreactors and artificial cell mimics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Sincari
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Heyrovsky Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Eliézer Jäger
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Heyrovsky Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | | | - Martina Vragovic
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Heyrovsky Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Eddie Hofmann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Mathias Schlenk
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Marcela Filipová
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Heyrovsky Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Eliška Rydvalová
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Heyrovsky Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Štěpánek
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Heyrovsky Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Hrubý
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Heyrovsky Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Stephan Förster
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
- JCNS-1/ICS-1, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Physical Chemistry, RWTH University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Alessandro Jäger
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Heyrovsky Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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11
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Joseph A, Wagner AM, Garay-Sarmiento M, Aleksanyan M, Haraszti T, Söder D, Georgiev VN, Dimova R, Percec V, Rodriguez-Emmenegger C. Zwitterionic Dendrimersomes: A Closer Xenobiotic Mimic of Cell Membranes. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2206288. [PMID: 36134536 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202206288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Building functional mimics of cell membranes is an important task toward the development of synthetic cells. So far, lipid and amphiphilic block copolymers are the most widely used amphiphiles with the bilayers by the former lacking stability while membranes by the latter are typically characterized by very slow dynamics. Herein, a new type of Janus dendrimer containing a zwitterionic phosphocholine hydrophilic headgroup (JDPC ) and a 3,5-substituted dihydrobenzoate-based hydrophobic dendron is introduced. JDPC self-assembles in water into zwitterionic dendrimersomes (z-DSs) that faithfully recapitulate the cell membrane in thickness, flexibility, and fluidity, while being resilient to harsh conditions and displaying faster pore closing dynamics in the event of membrane rupture. This enables the fabrication of hybrid DSs with components of natural membranes, including pore-forming peptides, structure-directing lipids, and glycans to create raft-like domains or onion vesicles. Moreover, z-DSs can be used to create active synthetic cells with life-like features that mimic vesicle fusion and motility as well as environmental sensing. Despite their fully synthetic nature, z-DSs are minimal cell mimics that can integrate and interact with living matter with the programmability to imitate life-like features and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Joseph
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Anna M Wagner
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Manuela Garay-Sarmiento
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Chair of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 3, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Mina Aleksanyan
- Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustraße 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Tamás Haraszti
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Dominik Söder
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Vasil N Georgiev
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Rumiana Dimova
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Virgil Percec
- Roy & Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104323, USA
| | - Cesar Rodriguez-Emmenegger
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Bioinspired Interactive Materials and Protocellular Systems, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer de Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig Lluís Companys 23, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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12
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Steinkühler J, Jacobs ML, Boyd MA, Villaseñor CG, Loverde SM, Kamat NP. PEO- b-PBD Diblock Copolymers Induce Packing Defects in Lipid/Hybrid Membranes and Improve Insertion Rates of Natively Folded Peptides. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:4756-4765. [PMID: 36318160 PMCID: PMC9667879 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Hybrid membranes assembled from biological lipids and synthetic polymers are a promising scaffold for the reconstitution and utilization of membrane proteins. Recent observations indicate that inclusion of small fractions of polymer in lipid membranes can improve protein folding and function, but the exact structural and physical changes a given polymer sequence imparts on a membrane often remain unclear. Here, we use all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to study the structure of hybrid membranes assembled from DOPC phospholipids and PEO-b-PBD diblock copolymers. We verified our computational model using new and existing experimental data and obtained a detailed picture of the polymer conformations in the lipid membrane that we can relate to changes in membrane elastic properties. We find that inclusion of low polymer fractions induces transient packing defects into the membrane. These packing defects act as insertion sites for two model peptides, and in this way, small amounts of polymer content in lipid membranes can lead to large increases in peptide insertion rates. Additionally, we report the peptide conformational space in both pure lipid and hybrid membranes. Both membranes support similar alpha helical peptide structures, exemplifying the biocompatibility of hybrid membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Steinkühler
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern
University, Evanston, Illinois60208, United States
| | - Miranda L. Jacobs
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern
University, Evanston, Illinois60208, United States
| | - Margrethe A. Boyd
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern
University, Evanston, Illinois60208, United States
| | - Citlayi G. Villaseñor
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern
University, Evanston, Illinois60208, United States
| | - Sharon M. Loverde
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, New York10314, United States
| | - Neha P. Kamat
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern
University, Evanston, Illinois60208, United States
- Center
for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois60657, United States
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13
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Hirschi S, Ward TR, Meier WP, Müller DJ, Fotiadis D. Synthetic Biology: Bottom-Up Assembly of Molecular Systems. Chem Rev 2022; 122:16294-16328. [PMID: 36179355 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The bottom-up assembly of biological and chemical components opens exciting opportunities to engineer artificial vesicular systems for applications with previously unmet requirements. The modular combination of scaffolds and functional building blocks enables the engineering of complex systems with biomimetic or new-to-nature functionalities. Inspired by the compartmentalized organization of cells and organelles, lipid or polymer vesicles are widely used as model membrane systems to investigate the translocation of solutes and the transduction of signals by membrane proteins. The bottom-up assembly and functionalization of such artificial compartments enables full control over their composition and can thus provide specifically optimized environments for synthetic biological processes. This review aims to inspire future endeavors by providing a diverse toolbox of molecular modules, engineering methodologies, and different approaches to assemble artificial vesicular systems. Important technical and practical aspects are addressed and selected applications are presented, highlighting particular achievements and limitations of the bottom-up approach. Complementing the cutting-edge technological achievements, fundamental aspects are also discussed to cater to the inherently diverse background of the target audience, which results from the interdisciplinary nature of synthetic biology. The engineering of proteins as functional modules and the use of lipids and block copolymers as scaffold modules for the assembly of functionalized vesicular systems are explored in detail. Particular emphasis is placed on ensuring the controlled assembly of these components into increasingly complex vesicular systems. Finally, all descriptions are presented in the greater context of engineering valuable synthetic biological systems for applications in biocatalysis, biosensing, bioremediation, or targeted drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Hirschi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.,Molecular Systems Engineering, National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR), 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas R Ward
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, St. Johanns-Ring 19, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.,Molecular Systems Engineering, National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR), 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang P Meier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, St. Johanns-Ring 19, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.,Molecular Systems Engineering, National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR), 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel J Müller
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.,Molecular Systems Engineering, National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR), 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dimitrios Fotiadis
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.,Molecular Systems Engineering, National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR), 4002 Basel, Switzerland
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14
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Rahman MM, Abosheasha MA, Ito Y, Ueda M. DNA-induced fusion between lipid domains of peptide-lipid hybrid vesicles. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:11799-11802. [PMID: 36172842 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc03997d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Peptide-lipid hybrid vesicles were prepared with complementary DNA strands in their lipid domains. Hybridization of the complementary DNA strands induced the controlled fusion of the vesicles during repeated heating and cooling cycles. Vesicle fusion was indicated by a decrease in the efficiency of Förster resonance energy transfer between lipid-localized probes (from 72 to 42%) and transmission electron microscopy analysis. We suggest that this approach is a general strategy for the creation of polymersomes with membrane-fusion functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mofizur Rahman
- RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research (CPR), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan. .,Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Daffodil Smart City, Ashulia, Dhaka 1341, Bangladesh.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Mohammed A Abosheasha
- RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research (CPR), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ito
- RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research (CPR), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan.,RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Motoki Ueda
- RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research (CPR), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan. .,RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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15
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Wagner AM, Quandt J, Söder D, Garay‐Sarmiento M, Joseph A, Petrovskii VS, Witzdam L, Hammoor T, Steitz P, Haraszti T, Potemkin II, Kostina NY, Herrmann A, Rodriguez‐Emmenegger C. Ionic Combisomes: A New Class of Biomimetic Vesicles to Fuse with Life. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2200617. [PMID: 35393756 PMCID: PMC9189634 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202200617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The construction of biomembranes that faithfully capture the properties and dynamic functions of cell membranes remains a challenge in the development of synthetic cells and their application. Here a new concept for synthetic cell membranes based on the self-assembly of amphiphilic comb polymers into vesicles, termed ionic combisomes (i-combisomes) is introduced. These combs consist of a polyzwitterionic backbone to which hydrophobic tails are linked by electrostatic interactions. Using a range of microscopies and molecular simulations, the self-assembly of a library of combs in water is screened. It is discovered that the hydrophobic tails form the membrane's core and force the backbone into a rod conformation with nematic-like ordering confined to the interface with water. This particular organization resulted in membranes that combine the stability of classic polymersomes with the biomimetic thickness, flexibility, and lateral mobility of liposomes. Such unparalleled matching of biophysical properties and the ability to locally reconfigure the molecular topology of its constituents enable the harboring of functional components of natural membranes and fusion with living bacteria to "hijack" their periphery. This provides an almost inexhaustible palette to design the chemical and biological makeup of the i-combisomes membrane resulting in a powerful platform for fundamental studies and technological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Wagner
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstraße 50Aachen52074Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityWorringerweg 2Aachen52074Germany
| | - Jonas Quandt
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstraße 50Aachen52074Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityWorringerweg 2Aachen52074Germany
| | - Dominik Söder
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstraße 50Aachen52074Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityWorringerweg 2Aachen52074Germany
| | - Manuela Garay‐Sarmiento
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstraße 50Aachen52074Germany
- Chair of BiotechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityWorringerweg 3Aachen52074Germany
| | - Anton Joseph
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstraße 50Aachen52074Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityWorringerweg 2Aachen52074Germany
| | - Vladislav S. Petrovskii
- Physics DepartmentLomonosov Moscow State UniversityLeninskie Gory 1–2Moscow119991Russian Federation
| | - Lena Witzdam
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstraße 50Aachen52074Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityWorringerweg 2Aachen52074Germany
| | - Thomas Hammoor
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstraße 50Aachen52074Germany
| | - Philipp Steitz
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstraße 50Aachen52074Germany
| | - Tamás Haraszti
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstraße 50Aachen52074Germany
| | - Igor I. Potemkin
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstraße 50Aachen52074Germany
- Physics DepartmentLomonosov Moscow State UniversityLeninskie Gory 1–2Moscow119991Russian Federation
- National Research, South Ural State UniversityChelyabinsk454080Russian Federation
| | - Nina Yu. Kostina
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstraße 50Aachen52074Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityWorringerweg 2Aachen52074Germany
| | - Andreas Herrmann
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstraße 50Aachen52074Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityWorringerweg 2Aachen52074Germany
| | - Cesar Rodriguez‐Emmenegger
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstraße 50Aachen52074Germany
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 12Barcelona08028Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA)Passeig Lluís Companys 23Barcelona08010Spain
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16
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Heuberger L, Korpidou M, Eggenberger OM, Kyropoulou M, Palivan CG. Current Perspectives on Synthetic Compartments for Biomedical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5718. [PMID: 35628527 PMCID: PMC9145047 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Nano- and micrometer-sized compartments composed of synthetic polymers are designed to mimic spatial and temporal divisions found in nature. Self-assembly of polymers into compartments such as polymersomes, giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), layer-by-layer (LbL) capsules, capsosomes, or polyion complex vesicles (PICsomes) allows for the separation of defined environments from the exterior. These compartments can be further engineered through the incorporation of (bio)molecules within the lumen or into the membrane, while the membrane can be decorated with functional moieties to produce catalytic compartments with defined structures and functions. Nanometer-sized compartments are used for imaging, theranostic, and therapeutic applications as a more mechanically stable alternative to liposomes, and through the encapsulation of catalytic molecules, i.e., enzymes, catalytic compartments can localize and act in vivo. On the micrometer scale, such biohybrid systems are used to encapsulate model proteins and form multicompartmentalized structures through the combination of multiple compartments, reaching closer to the creation of artificial organelles and cells. Significant progress in therapeutic applications and modeling strategies has been achieved through both the creation of polymers with tailored properties and functionalizations and novel techniques for their assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Heuberger
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (L.H.); (M.K.); (O.M.E.); (M.K.)
| | - Maria Korpidou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (L.H.); (M.K.); (O.M.E.); (M.K.)
| | - Olivia M. Eggenberger
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (L.H.); (M.K.); (O.M.E.); (M.K.)
| | - Myrto Kyropoulou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (L.H.); (M.K.); (O.M.E.); (M.K.)
- NCCR-Molecular Systems Engineering, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1095, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia G. Palivan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (L.H.); (M.K.); (O.M.E.); (M.K.)
- NCCR-Molecular Systems Engineering, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1095, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
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17
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Abstract
SignificanceThe discovery that amphiphilic polymers, similar to phospholipids, can self-assemble to vesicles has inspired numerous applications. For instance, these polymersomes are employed for drug delivery due to their increased chemical and mechanical stability. These polymers can be also mixed with lipids to form the so-called hybrid membranes, which provide further biocompatibility, while new properties emerge. However, the fusion of these hybrids is to date barely explored. Herein, we determined that hybrid vesicles made of poly(dimethylsiloxane)-graft-poly(ethylene oxide) and oppositely charged lipids undergo rapid fusion, surpassing the efficiency in natural membranes. We provide biophysical insights into the mechanism and demonstrate that anionic lipids are not strictly required when the process is employed for the integration of membrane proteins.
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18
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Mechanisms of Mitochondrial Malfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: New Therapeutic Hope. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:4759963. [PMID: 35607703 PMCID: PMC9124149 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4759963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria play a critical role in neuron viability or death as it regulates energy metabolism and cell death pathways. They are essential for cellular energy metabolism, reactive oxygen species production, apoptosis, Ca++ homeostasis, aging, and regeneration. Mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamics are thus essential processes in the quality control of mitochondria. Improvements in several fundamental features of mitochondrial biology in susceptible neurons of AD brains and the putative underlying mechanisms of such changes have made significant progress. AD's etiology has been reported by mitochondrial malfunction and oxidative damage. According to several recent articles, a continual fusion and fission balance of mitochondria is vital in their normal function maintenance. As a result, the shape and function of mitochondria are inextricably linked. This study examines evidence suggesting that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a significant early impact on AD pathology. Furthermore, the dynamics and roles of mitochondria are discussed with the link between mitochondrial malfunction and autophagy in AD has also been explored. In addition, recent research on mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy in AD is also discussed in this review. It also goes into how these flaws affect mitochondrial quality control. Furthermore, advanced therapy techniques and lifestyle adjustments that lead to improved management of the dynamics have been demonstrated, hence improving the conditions that contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction in AD.
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19
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Staufer O, De Lora JA, Bailoni E, Bazrafshan A, Benk AS, Jahnke K, Manzer ZA, Otrin L, Díez Pérez T, Sharon J, Steinkühler J, Adamala KP, Jacobson B, Dogterom M, Göpfrich K, Stefanovic D, Atlas SR, Grunze M, Lakin MR, Shreve AP, Spatz JP, López GP. Building a community to engineer synthetic cells and organelles from the bottom-up. eLife 2021; 10:e73556. [PMID: 34927583 PMCID: PMC8716100 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Employing concepts from physics, chemistry and bioengineering, 'learning-by-building' approaches are becoming increasingly popular in the life sciences, especially with researchers who are attempting to engineer cellular life from scratch. The SynCell2020/21 conference brought together researchers from different disciplines to highlight progress in this field, including areas where synthetic cells are having socioeconomic and technological impact. Conference participants also identified the challenges involved in designing, manipulating and creating synthetic cells with hierarchical organization and function. A key conclusion is the need to build an international and interdisciplinary research community through enhanced communication, resource-sharing, and educational initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Staufer
- Max Planck Institute for Medical ResearchHeidelbergGermany
- Max Planck School Matter to LifeHeidelbergGermany
- Max Planck Bristol Center for Minimal Biology, University of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Amelie S Benk
- Max Planck Institute for Medical ResearchHeidelbergGermany
| | - Kevin Jahnke
- Max Planck Institute for Medical ResearchHeidelbergGermany
| | | | - Lado Otrin
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical SystemsMagdeburgGermany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kerstin Göpfrich
- Max Planck Institute for Medical ResearchHeidelbergGermany
- Max Planck School Matter to LifeHeidelbergGermany
| | | | | | - Michael Grunze
- Max Planck Institute for Medical ResearchHeidelbergGermany
- Max Planck School Matter to LifeHeidelbergGermany
| | | | | | - Joachim P Spatz
- Max Planck Institute for Medical ResearchHeidelbergGermany
- Max Planck School Matter to LifeHeidelbergGermany
- Max Planck Bristol Center for Minimal Biology, University of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
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20
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Wang Y, Sun H. Polymeric Nanomaterials for Efficient Delivery of Antimicrobial Agents. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:2108. [PMID: 34959388 PMCID: PMC8709338 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13122108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial infections have threatened the lives of human beings for thousands of years either as major diseases or complications. The elimination of bacterial infections has always occupied a pivotal position in our history. For a long period of time, people were devoted to finding natural antimicrobial agents such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), antibiotics and silver ions or synthetic active antimicrobial substances including antimicrobial peptoids, metal oxides and polymers to combat bacterial infections. However, with the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR), bacterial infection has become one of the most urgent problems worldwide. The efficient delivery of antimicrobial agents to the site of infection precisely is a promising strategy for reducing bacterial resistance. Polymeric nanomaterials have been widely studied as carriers for constructing antimicrobial agent delivery systems and have shown advantages including high biocompatibility, sustained release, targeting and improved bioavailability. In this review, we will highlight recent advances in highly efficient delivery of antimicrobial agents by polymeric nanomaterials such as micelles, vesicles, dendrimers, nanogels, nanofibers and so forth. The biomedical applications of polymeric nanomaterial-based delivery systems in combating MDR bacteria, anti-biofilms, wound healing, tissue engineering and anticancer are demonstrated. Moreover, conclusions and future perspectives are also proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Wang
- School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China;
| | - Hui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Coal Utilization and Green Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
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21
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Marušič N, Zhao Z, Otrin L, Dimova R, Ivanov I, Sundmacher K. Fusion-Induced Growth of Biomimetic Polymersomes: Behavior of Poly(dimethylsiloxane)-Poly(ethylene oxide) Vesicles in Saline Solutions Under High Agitation. Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 43:e2100712. [PMID: 34820929 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Giant unilamellar vesicles serve as membrane models and primitive mockups of natural cells. With respect to the latter use, amphiphilic polymers can be used to replace phospholipids in order to introduce certain favorable properties, ultimately allowing for the creation of truly synthetic cells. These new properties also enable the employment of new preparation procedures that are incompatible with the natural amphiphiles. Whereas the growth of lipid compartments to micrometer dimensions has been well established, growth of their synthetic analogs remains underexplored. Here, the influence of experimental parameters like salt type/concentration and magnitude of agitation on the fusion of nanometer-sized vesicles made of poly(dimethylsiloxane)-poly(ethylene oxide) graft copolymer (PDMS-g-PEO) is investigated in detail. To this end, dynamic light scattering, microscopy, and membrane mixing assays are employed, and the process at different time and length scales is analyzed. This optimized method is used as an easy tool to obtain giant vesicles, equipped with membrane and cytosolic biomachinery, in the presence of salts at physiological concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nika Marušič
- Process Systems Engineering, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstraße 1, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ziliang Zhao
- Department of Theory and Bio-Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14424, Potsdam, Germany.,Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology e.V., 07745, Jena, Germany.,Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Institute of Applied Optics and Biophysics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Lado Otrin
- Process Systems Engineering, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstraße 1, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Rumiana Dimova
- Department of Theory and Bio-Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14424, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ivan Ivanov
- Process Systems Engineering, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstraße 1, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Kai Sundmacher
- Process Systems Engineering, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstraße 1, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
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22
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Abstract
Hierarchic self-assembly underpins much of the form and function seen in synthetic or biological soft materials. Lipids are paramount examples, building themselves in nature or synthetically in a variety of meso/nanostructures. Synthetic block copolymers capture many of lipid's structural and functional properties. Lipids are typically biocompatible and high molecular weight polymers are mechanically robust and chemically versatile. The development of new materials for applications like controlled drug/gene/protein delivery, biosensors, and artificial cells often requires the combination of lipids and polymers. The emergent composite material, a "polymer-lipid hybrid membrane", displays synergistic properties not seen in pure components. Specific examples include the observation that hybrid membranes undergo lateral phase separation that can correlate in registry across multiple layers into a three-dimensional phase-separated system with enhanced permeability of encapsulated drugs. It is timely to underpin these emergent properties in several categories of hybrid systems ranging from colloidal suspensions to supported hybrid films. In this review, we discuss the form and function of a vast number of polymer-lipid hybrid systems published to date. We rationalize the results to raise new fundamental understanding of hybrid self-assembling soft materials as well as to enable the design of new supramolecular systems and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoo Kyung Go
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana─Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Cecilia Leal
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana─Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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