Investigating cationic and zwitterionic successive multiple ionic-polymer layer coatings for protein separation by capillary electrophoresis

Successive multiple ionic-polymer layers (SMILs) have long since proved their worth in capillary electrophoresis as they ensure stable electroosmotic flow (EOF) and relatively high separation efficiency. Recently, we demonstrated that plotting the plate height (H) against the solute migration velocity (u) enabled a reliable quantitative evaluation of the coating performances in terms of separation efficiency. In this work, various physicochemical and chemical parameters of the SMIL coating were studied and optimized in order to decrease the slope of the ascending part of the H vs u curve, which is known to be controlled by the homogeneity in charge of the coating surface and by the possible residual solute adsorption onto the coating surface. SMILs based on poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) and poly(sodium styrene sulfonate) (PSS) were formed and the effect of each polyelectrolyte molar mass and of the number of polyelectrolyte layers (up to 21 layers) was studied. The use of polyethylene imine as an anchoring first layer was considered. More polyelectrolyte couples based on PDADMAC, polybrene, PSS, poly(vinyl sulfate), and poly(acrylic acid) were tested. Finally, zwitterionic polymers based on the poly(α-l-lysine) scaffold were synthesized and used as the last layer of SMILs, illustrating their ability to finetune the EOF, while maintaining good separation efficiency.

Fabrication and Characterization of Polyelectrolyte Coatings by Polymerization and Co-Deposition of Acrylic Acid Using the Dopamine in Weak Acid Solution

Existing medical materials (such as silicone rubber, glass slides, etc.) fail to meet the functional requirements of biosensing, cell culture, and drug delivery due to their poor wettability. The preparation of polyelectrolyte coatings with excellent wettability and protein adsorption helps broaden the application of medical materials. Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) is a common polyelectrolyte with stronger protein adsorption, but the existing methods for obtaining PAA coating have certain shortcomings to limit their industrial applications. In this study, dopamine (DA) was used to polymerize and co-deposit acrylic acid (AA) in weak acid solution to functionalize the surface of materials, and the effects of different mass ratios of DA/AA on the wettability and protein adsorption of the coating were deeply investigated. The results demonstrate that PDA/PAA coating is successfully prepared on the surface of four substrates and greatly reduces the water contact angle of these surfaces. Moreover, these coatings show excellent protein adsorption, and the amount of adsorbed protein on the coated QCM chip is increased by 57.74% than the uncoated QCM chip. In addition, the coating has a certain pH responsiveness, and its wettability and protein adsorption are closely related to the pH of the solution. The preparation strategy proposed is simple and substrate-independent, which provides valuable insights into the application of the one-step polymerization and co-deposition strategy under weak acid conditions.

Hydrophilic Polyelectrolyte Multilayers Improve the ELISA System: Antibody Enrichment and Blocking Free

In this study, polyelectrolyte multilayers were fabricated on a polystyrene (PS) plate using a Layer-by-Layer (LbL) self-assembly technique. The resulting functional platform showed improved performance compared with conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) systems. Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were used as cationic and anionic polyelectrolytes. On the negatively-charged (PDDA/PAA)₃ polyelectrolyte multilayers the hydrophilic PAA surface could efficiently decrease the magnitude of the noise signal, by inhibiting nonspecific adsorption even without blocking reagent adsorption. Moreover, the (PDDA/PAA)₃ substrate covalently immobilized the primary antibody, greatly increasing the amount of primary antibody adsorption and enhancing the specific detection signal compared with a conventional PS plate. The calibration curve of the (PDDA/PAA)₃ substrate showed a wide linear range, for concentrations from 0.033 to 33 nM, a large specific signal change, and a detection limit of 33 pM, even though the conventional blocking reagent adsorption step was omitted. The (PDDA/PAA)₃ substrate provided a high-performance ELISA system with a simple fabrication process and high sensitivity; the system presented here shows potential for a variety of immunosensor applications.

Soft-Mechanochemistry: Mechanochemistry Inspired by Nature

Cells and bacteria use mechanotransduction processes to transform a mechanical force into a chemical/biochemical response. The area of chemistry where chemical reactions are induced by mechanical forces is called mechanochemistry. Over the last few years, chemists developed force-induced reactions affecting covalent bonds in molecules under tension which requires high energy input and/or high intensity forces. In contrast, in nature, mechanotransduction processes take place with forces of much weaker intensity and much less demanding energy. They are mainly based on protein conformational changes or changes in supramacromolecular architectures. Mechanochemistry based on such low-energy-demanding processes and which does not affect chemical bonds can be called soft-mechanochemistry. In this feature article, we first discuss some examples of soft-mechanochemistry processes encountered in nature, in particular, cryptic sites, allowing us to define more precisely the concepts underlying soft-mechanochemistry. A series of examples, developed over the past few years, of chemomechanoresponsive systems based on soft-mechanochemistry principles are given. We describe, in particular, cryptic site surfaces, enzymatically active films whose activity can be modulated by stretching and films where stretching induces changes in their fluorescence properties. Finally, we give our view of the future of soft-mechanochemistry.

Controllable Nonspecific Protein Adsorption by Charged Hyperbranched Polyglycerol Thin Films

Antifouling thin films derived from charged hyperbranched polyglycerol (hbPG) layers were fabricated and evaluated. The anionic hbPG (a-hbPG) monolayers and cationic hbPG/anionic hbPG (c/a-hbPG) bilayers were adsorbed on the underlying self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of cysteamine and 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA) by electrostatic interaction, respectively, and their procession was monitored by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR). The adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and fibrinogen on the premade a-hbPG and c/a-hbPG thin films was measured and the capability of these thin films to resist nonspecific protein adsorption was evaluated by SPR as well. It is observed that the c/a-hbPG bilayer films possessed good antifouling properties. With c/a-hbPG bilayers consisting of higher molecular weight a-hbPG, the adsorption of BSA and fibrinogen were as low as 0.015 ng/mm(-2) and 0.0076 ng/mm(-2), respectively, comparable to the traditionally ultralow antifouling surfaces (<0.05 ng/mm(-2) of nonspecific protein adsorption). This work proved that the charged hbPG thin films can strongly reduce the nonspecific protein adsorption and have the promise for the antifouling coatings with improved performance.

Size and surface chemistry of nanoparticles lead to a variant behavior in the unfolding dynamics of human carbonic anhydrase

The adsorption induced conformational changes of human carbonic anhydrase I (HCAi) and pseudo wild type human carbonic anhydrase II truncated at the 17th residue at the N-terminus (trHCAii) were studied in presence of nanoparticles of different sizes and polarities. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) studies showed that the binding to apolar surfaces is affected by the nanoparticle size in combination with the inherent protein stability. 8-Anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS) fluorescence revealed that HCAs adsorb to both hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces, however the dynamics of the unfolding at the nanoparticle surfaces drastically vary with the polarity. The size of the nanoparticles has opposite effects depending on the polarity of the nanoparticle surface. The apolar nanoparticles induce seconds timescale structural rearrangements whereas polar nanoparticles induce hours timescale structural rearrangements on the same charged HCA variant. Here, a simple model is proposed where the difference in the timescales of adsorption is correlated with the energy barriers for initial docking and structural rearrangements which are firmly regulated by the surface polarity. Near-UV circular dichorism (CD) further supports that both protein variants undergo structural rearrangements at the nanoparticle surfaces regardless of being "hard" or "soft". However, the conformational changes induced by the apolar surfaces differ for each HCA isoform and diverge from the previously reported effect of silica nanoparticles.

A survey of state-of-the-art surface chemistries to minimize fouling from human and animal biofluids

Fouling of artificial surfaces by biofluids is a plague Biotechnology deeply suffers from. Herein, we inventory the state-of-the-art surface chemistries developed to minimize this effect from both human and animal biosamples.

Engineering lipid bilayer membranes for protein studies

Lipid membranes regulate the flow of nutrients and communication signaling between cells and protect the sub-cellular structures. Recent attempts to fabricate artificial systems using nanostructures that mimic the physiological properties of natural lipid bilayer membranes (LBM) fused with transmembrane proteins have helped demonstrate the importance of temperature, pH, ionic strength, adsorption behavior, conformational reorientation and surface density in cellular membranes which all affect the incorporation of proteins on solid surfaces. Much of this work is performed on artificial templates made of polymer sponges or porous materials based on alumina, mica, and porous silicon (PSi) surfaces. For example, porous silicon materials have high biocompatibility, biodegradability, and photoluminescence, which allow them to be used both as a support structure for lipid bilayers or a template to measure the electrochemical functionality of living cells grown over the surface as in vivo. The variety of these media, coupled with the complex physiological conditions present in living systems, warrant a summary and prospectus detailing which artificial systems provide the most promise for different biological conditions. This study summarizes the use of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data on artificial biological membranes that are closely matched with previously published biological systems using both black lipid membrane and patch clamp techniques.

Bioaffinity sensor based on nanoarchitectonic films: control of the specific adsorption of proteins through the dual role of an ethylene oxide spacer

The identification and quantification of biomarkers or proteins is a real challenge in allowing the early detection of diseases. The functionalization of the biosensor surface has to be properly designed to prevent nonspecific interactions and to detect the biomolecule of interest specifically. A multilayered nanoarchitecture, based on polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEM) and the sequential immobilization of streptavidin and a biotinylated antibody, was elaborated as a promising platform for the label-free sensing of targeted proteins. We choose ovalbumin as an example. Thanks to the versatility of PEM films, the platform was built on two types of sensor surface and was evaluated using both optical- and viscoelastic-based techniques, namely, optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy and the quartz crystal microbalance, respectively. A library of biotinylated poly(acrylic acids) (PAAs) was synthesized by grafting biotin moieties at different grafting ratios (GR). The biotin moieties were linked to the PAA chains through ethylene oxide (EO) spacers of different lengths. The adsorption of the PAA-EOn-biotin (GR) layer on a PEM precursor film allows tuning the surface density in biotin and thus the streptavidin adsorption mainly through the grafting ratio. The nonspecific adsorption of serum was reduced and even suppressed depending on the length of the EO arms. We showed that to obtain an antifouling polyelectrolyte the grafting of EO9 or EO19 chains at 25% in GR is sufficient. Thus, the spacer has a dual role: ensuring the antifouling property and allowing the accessibility of biotin moieties. Finally, an optimized platform based on the PAA-EO9-biotin (25%)/streptavidin/biotinylated-antibody architecture was built and demonstrated promising performance as interface architecture for bioaffinity sensing of a targeted protein, in our case, ovalbumin.

How to control the recombinant prion protein adhesion for successful storage through modification of surface properties

Depletion of neuroproteins on the inner walls of storage tubes influences the accuracy of tests used for identification of various neurodegenerative disorders. In this paper, a strategy is described for surface modification of Eppendorf tubes leading to non-adhesive properties towards the recombinant human prion proteins (PrPrec(hum)). Tubes were pre-activated by helium plasma and grafted with three diverse coatings: pure poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), PNIPAM admixed with either neutral PEG(20)sorbitan monolaurate (PEG(20)) or positively charged cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) at varying plasma activation times and polymer to surfactant ratios. New functionalized surfaces were analyzed by goniometry, streaming potential measurement and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, whereas the protein adhesion was monitored by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays and confocal microscopy. The mapping of PrPrec(hum) adhesion associated with surface analyses enabled us to determine that no or negligible depletion of PrPrec(hum) can be obtained by surfaces possessing basic component in the range between 50 and 60 mJ m(-2) and streaming potential ζ(7.4) - -50 mV.

Understanding protein adsorption phenomena at solid surfaces

Protein adsorption at solid surfaces plays a key role in many natural processes and has therefore promoted a widespread interest in many research areas. Despite considerable progress in this field there are still widely differing and even contradictive opinions on how to explain the frequently observed phenomena such as structural rearrangements, cooperative adsorption, overshooting adsorption kinetics, or protein aggregation. In this review recent achievements and new perspectives on protein adsorption processes are comprehensively discussed. The main focus is put on commonly postulated mechanistic aspects and their translation into mathematical concepts and model descriptions. Relevant experimental and computational strategies to practically approach the field of protein adsorption mechanisms and their impact on current successes are outlined.

The detection of DNA hybridization on phosphorus dendrimer multilayer films by surface plasmon field enhanced-fluorescence spectroscopy

Dendrimer multilayers on gold substrates prepared via layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique were characterized and used as substrates for DNA immobilization/hybridization. The multilayers, built using alternately polycationic and polyanionic phosphorus dendrimers of generation 4, were studied by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. By varying the concentration of NaCl, the optimized optical thickness of a single dendrimer layer (about 4.5 nm) was achieved. Using the multilayers as the substrate, a high loading of DNA probes was obtained through covalent coupling of probe DNA on dendrimer multilayer film. The following hybridization of Cy5-dye labeled complementary target DNA with immobilized probe DNA was detected by surface plasmon field-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS). The limit of detection of target DNA upon hybridization reached 50 pM and 30 pM on 1 bilayer and 4 bilayers, respectively. The phosphorus dendrimer multilayer films display high stability during repeated regeneration and hybridization cycles. The sensitive platforms based on dendrimer multilayers deposited in the presence of NaCl make them attractive candidates for application in DNA sensing.

Controlled drug release from multilayered phospholipid polymer hydrogel on titanium alloy surface

Here we describe the functionalization of a multilayered hydrogel layer on a Ti alloy with an antineoplastic agent, paclitaxel (PTX). The multilayered hydrogel was synthesized via layer-by-layer self-assembly (LbL) using selective intermolecular reactions between two water-soluble polymers, phospholipid polymer (PMBV) containing a phenylboronic acid unit and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Reversible covalent bonding between phenylboronic acid and the polyol provided the driving force for self-assembly. Poorly water-soluble PTX dissolves in PMBV aqueous solutions because PMBV is amphiphilic. Therefore, our multilayered hydrogel could be loaded with PTX at different locations to control the release profile and act as a drug reservoir. The amount of PTX incorporated in the hydrogel samples increased with the number of layers but was not directly proportional to the number of layers. However, as the step for making layers was repeated, the concentration of PTX in the PMBV layers increased. The different solubilities of PTX in PMBV and PVA aqueous solutions allow for the production of multilayered hydrogels loaded with PTX at different locations. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the location of PTX in the multilayered hydrogel influences the start and profile of PTX release. We expect that this rapid and facile LbL synthesis of multilayered hydrogels and technique for in situ loading with PTX, where the location of loading controls the release pattern, will find applications in biomedicine and pharmaceutics as a promising new technique.

Polyelectrolyte multilayers capped with polyelectrolytes bearing phosphorylcholine and triethylene glycol groups: parameters influencing antifouling properties

In this paper, we investigate the design of antifouling surfaces by the deposition of polyelectrolytes modified by grafting of antifouling groups onto a (PSS/PAH)n precursor multilayer film [PSS, poly(styrenesulfonate); PAH, poly(allylamine)]. Different polyelectrolytes and different antifouling moieties are investigated, in particular, (EO)3 and (EO)3PC moieties (EO, ethylene oxide; PC, phosphorylcholine group). We find that protein adsorption can strongly be reduced and even practically suppressed through the deposition of only one layer of polyelectrolyte modified with PC and/or (EO)3 groups. We discuss the influence of various parameters such as the nature of the polyelectrolyte backbone, the nature of the antifouling moiety, and the grafting ratio on the reduction of protein adsorption. We find in particular that (EO)3 and (EO)3PC moieties grafted on poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) totally prevent protein adsorption for grafting ratios of 25% or more, at least within the detection limits of the used quartz crystal microbalance and optical waveguide light mode spectroscopy devices. The mechanism that leads to the antifouling property is discussed and compared to that leading to the antifouling properties of ethylene oxide self-assembled monolayers. Finally, by incorporating biotin on top of the precursor film, we show that one layer of PAA-(EO)3PC is not sufficient to prevent interaction with streptavidin but a PAA-(EO)3PC/PAH/PAA-(EO)3PC multilayer largely protects the biotin from interacting with streptavidin.