Search results for "Liposome"

Hyperbranched Polyglycerol-Based Lipids via Oxyanionic Polymerization: Toward Multifunctional Stealth Liposomes

2010

We describe the synthesis of linear-hyperbranched lipids for liposome preparation based on linear poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and hyperbranched polyglycerol (PG). Molecular weights were adjusted to values around 3000 g/mol with varying degrees of polymerization of the linear and the branched segments in analogy to PEG-based stealth lipids; polydispersities were generally low and below 1.3. The hydrophobic anchors were introduced into the lipid structures as initiators for the anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide and are either based on cholesterol or on different aliphatic glyceryl ethers. Complete incorporation of the apolar initiators was evidenced by MALDI-ToF analysis at all stages …

Anionic Lipids Modulate the Activity of the Aquaglyceroporin GlpF

2015

AbstractThe structure and composition of a biological membrane can severely influence the activity of membrane-embedded proteins. Here, we show that the E. coli aquaglyceroporin GlpF has only little activity in lipid bilayers formed from native E. coli lipids. Thus, at first glance, GlpF appears to not be optimized for its natural membrane environment. In fact, we found that GlpF activity was severely affected by negatively charged lipids regardless of the exact chemical nature of the lipid headgroup, whereas GlpF was not sensitive to changes in the lateral membrane pressure. These observations illustrate a potential mechanism by which the activity of an α-helical membrane protein is modula…

Facilitated Anion Transport Induces Hyperpolarization of the Cell Membrane That Triggers Differentiation and Cell Death in Cancer Stem Cells

2015

Facilitated anion transport potentially represents a powerful tool to modulate various cellular functions. However, research into the biological effects of small molecule anionophores is still at an early stage. Here we have used two potent anionophore molecules inspired in the structure of marine metabolites tambjamines to gain insight into the effect induced by these compounds at the cellular level. We show how active anionophores, capable of facilitating the transmembrane transport of chloride and bicarbonate in model phospholipid liposomes, induce acidification of the cytosol and hyperpolarization of plasma cell membranes. We demonstrate how this combined effect can be used against canc…

Comparative analysis of the electrostatics of the binding of cationic proteins to vesicles: Asymmetric location of anionic phospholipids

2009

The role of electrostatics is studied in the adsorption of cationic proteins to zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine (PC) and anionic PC/phosphatidylglycerol (PG) mixed small unilamellarvesicles (SUVs). For model proteins the interaction is monitored vs. PG content at low ionic strength. The adsorption of lysozyme and myoglobin (isoelectric point, pl 7-11) is investigated in SUVs, along with changes of the fluorescence emission spectra of the cationic proteins, via their adsorption on SUVs. In the Gouy-Chapman formalism, the activity coefficient goes with the square of charge number. Deviations from the ideal model could indicate the asymmetric location of the anionic phospholipid in the bilaye…

Folate-targeted supramolecular vesicular aggregates as a new frontier for effective anticancer treatment in in vivo model.

2012

Abstract Supramolecular vesicular aggregates (SVAs), made up by self-assembling liposomes and polyasparthydrazide co-polymers conjugated to folic acid molecules were extensively investigated in this manuscript as potential active targeting formulation for anticancer drug delivery. Folate-targeted systems (FT-SVAs) were used to treat breast cancer and to further proof the potential in vivo administration of these systems for the therapeutic treatment for several aggressive solid tumors. The physicochemical and technological parameters of FT-SVAs are suitable for their potential in vivo administration. The chemotherapeutic activity of GEM-loaded FT-SVAs was increased during in vivo experiment…

General biological properties of antioxidant permeatoxins and their influence on natural and model membranes

1994

Antioxidant Activity of All-trans-retinol in Homogeneous Solution and in Phosphatidylcholine Liposomes

1993

A kinetic quantification of the lipoperoxyl radical-scavenging activity of all-trans-retinol has been carried out in homogeneous solution, when radicals were produced from the oxidation of methyl linoleate in methanol, initiated by the lipid-soluble 2,2′-azobis (2,4-dimethyl-valeronitrile) (AMVN) as well as in a soybean phosphatidylcholine membrane model, in which peroxidation was induced either by AMVN or the hydrophylic 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane)hydrochloride (AAPH). The physical microenvironment contributes to the determination of antioxidant efficiency of all-trans-retinol. In homogeneous solution the kinetic constant kinh is 3.5 × 105 M-1 s-1 and appears of the same order of magnitu…

Delivery of liquorice extract by liposomes and hyalurosomes to protect the skin against oxidative stress injuries.

2015

Liquorice extract, obtained by percolation in ethanol of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. roots, was incorporated in liposomes and hyalurosomes, new phospholipid-sodium hyaluronate vesicles, and their protective effect against oxidative stress skin damages was probed. As a comparison, raw glycyrrhizin was also tested. All the vesicles were small in size (≤ 100 nm), with a highly negative zeta potential ensuring long-term stability, and able to incorporate a high amount of the extract. In vitro tests showed that the liquorice extract loaded in vesicles was able to scavenge DPPH free radical (80% inhibition) and to protect 3T3 fibroblasts against H2O2-induced oxidative stress, restoring the normal condi…

Antioxidant reactions of all-trans retinol in phospholipid bilayers: effect of oxygen partial pressure, radical fluxes, and retinol concentration.

1997

Lipoperoxyl radical-scavenging activity of retinol in unilamellar soybean phosphatidylcholine liposomes was studied under a variety of conditions to appreciate to what extend retinol may be considered an effective antioxidant. Peroxidation, initiated by 2 mM 2,2'-azobis(amidino-propane)hydrochloride (AAPH), was carried out at 160 torr O2 or at 15 torr O2, in the absence or in the presence of 10 to 40 mM retinol. As evaluated by the length of the inhibition periods, t(inh), and by the ratio between the inhibition and propagation rate, R(inh)/R(p), the antioxidant activity of retinol was higher at 15 torr O2 than at 160 torr O2. The consumption rate of retinol was markedly faster at 160 torr …

Betacyanins as phenol antioxidants. Chemistry and mechanistic aspects of the lipoperoxyl radical-scavenging activity in solution and liposomes.

2009

Reaction kinetics of betanin and its aglycone betanidin towards peroxyl radicals generated from the azo-initiated oxidation of methyl linoleate in methanol, and of a heterogeneous aqueous/soybean phosphatidylcholine liposomal system, were studied by monitoring formation of linoleic acid hydroperoxides and consumption of the pigments. Betanin was a weak retarder in methanol, and an effective chain breaking antioxidant in the liposomal model, indicating that kinetic solvent effects and partition in lipid bilayers may affect its activity. Betanidin behaved as a chain terminating antioxidant in both models. Kinetic parameters characterizing peroxyl radical-scavenging activity showed that betani…