Mixed monolayers composed of PC/PS/Chol. Interaction with opioid molecules

The miscibility of phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine, and cholesterol in monolayers were studied. The influence of sodium and calcium ions in this system was determined. The compression isotherms of mixed monolayers of the above cited three components spread on subphases containing opiate molecules are elucidated. Moreover, the penetration kinetics of opiate molecules in these mixed monolayers was also recorded. The results show that the presence of cholesterol always lowers the penetration of opioid molecules; this effect is weaken for meperidine, the most hydrophobic of the molecules assayed.Abreviations PS phosphatidylserine - PC phosphatidylcholine - PI phosphatidylinositol - Chol cholesterol     

Interaction of polysilicic acid with monolayers of substances containing quaternary ammonium groups

The action of polysilicic acid on monolayers of a quaternary ammonium salt and a phospholipid spread on substrates of various pH values was studied. The films of benzyl dimethyl hexadecyl ammonium chloride were considerably affected above pH 2. No interaction was observed, at any pH, between silicic acid and dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl serine.The results support the existence of ionic interactions between dissociated silanol groups and tetra-alkylammonium groups. The involvement of hydrogen bonds is ruled out.     

The action of indomethacin on neutral and positively charged monolayers

The penetration ability of indomethacin in neutral and positively charged monolayers has been studied. Neutral monolayers of cholesterol and dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline present a slight but significant increase of surface pressure. The presence of stearylamine in the films results in an increase of surface pressure due to an electrostatic effect between the carboxylic anion of indomethacin and the polar head group of the stearylamine. These values can afford a reference point to choose the best lipid composition of liposomes encapsulating indomethacin to avoid the drug causing leakage of liposomes.     

Polymethylmethacrylate and stearic acid compatibility in monolayers

Mixed monolayers of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and stearic acid (SA) on substrates with different pH are examined at 25 °C.The spreading isotherms of the pure components and their mixtures in different molar ratios indicate a critical pH value of the support, above which the components are miscible.This limiting pH value, which is confirmed also by surface potential measurements, allows a sufficient ionization of the carboxilic acid.This study was supported by CNR and MPI.     

Polypeptides mixed monolayers: collapse mechanism

The mechanism of the collapse process of monolayers of poly-L-alanine and of its mixtures with poly--methyl-L-glutamate was studied at the water/air interface at temperatures of 15°, 20°, 25°, and 30 °C.From measurements of the collapse surface pressure as a function of molar ratios and from the determination of the collapse kinetics, as well as from ellipsometrical measurements of the thickness of the film, the complete solubility of the components, even in the collapsed phase, was deduced.Furthermore, activation energies and values ofG*,H*, andS* in relationship to the kinetics of this process were deduced; it was shown that this process is constituted of a first phase of nucleation and of a second phase of growth both for the poly-L-alanine alone and for its mixtures with poly--methyl-L-glutamate.     

Microstructure and lateral diffusion in monolayers of polymerizable amphiphiles

Lipid analogue amphiphilic molecules containing polymerizable units were investigated in monolayers at the air/water interface by using film balance measurements, fluorescence microscopy, and photobleaching techniques. The polymerizable groups (diene-, diyne-, and methacrylate units) were introduced into the hydrophobic alkyl chains or into the polar head of the amphiphilic molecules.In the case of the diene- and diyne-containing compounds the polymerizable units are incorporated into the hydrophobic alkyl chains, enabling them to form a two-dimensional network. Due to the free chain flexibility of the monomers the lateral mobility was comparable to that of saturated lipid analogues and decreases upon polymerization proportionally to the dose of UV irradiation. In addition, fluid/solid phase transitions of compounds with polymerizable groups in the hydrophobic part tend to vanish during the formation of the polymers. However, the direct observation of the growth of polymeric crystalline domains can be followed by using diacetylene lipid analogues.In the case of the methacrylate derivatives the polymerizable unit was coupled to the polar part via a flexible spacer. For these systems the characteristics of the monomeric phase transition are retained after polymerization. However, it shows a significant, strong decrease of the in-plane mobility already in the fluid-expanded phase of the polymer. The quantitative measurements of the lateral diffusion in the monolayers can be correlated with fluorescence microscopic images of their structure.     

Effect of polymerized silicic acid on mixed lipid-protein monolayers used as cell-membrane models II. Pepsin-sphingomyelin films

Mixed pepsin-sphingomyelin films exhibit behavior typical of bidimensional systems whose components are miscible in all proportions. The non-polar chains of their components are believed to establish weak hydrophobic interactions. The dynamic compression-expansion II-A curves obtained in the presence of polysilicic acid differ from those recorded in its absence, which may arise from an ionic interaction whereby silicate ions accommodate themselves among the film molecules and bind strongly to the sphingomyelin molecules to form a rigid surface network in which the protein molecules are trapped.     

Interaction of nitrophenols with lipids at the air/water interface

The uptake of ortho and para nitrophenol to charged and neutral lipid monolayers spread at the air/solution interface was studied by reflection spectroscopy. The adsorption characteristics of the two nitrophenols have been studied by measuring the surface pressure and surface potential as a function of molecular area of the different lipid monolayers in the presence of nitrophenols in the subphase. The results have been interpreted in terms of the electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged dissociated phenolate ions and the positively charged head group of dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide monolayers.     

Effect of surface charge on adsorption of bovine serum albumin 2. Interaction of protein molecules with an anionic monolayer,as studied by ellipsometry,radiotracer and surface tension measurements

The adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) onto an anionic monolayer of sodium docosylsulfate (SDocS) spread at the air/water interface was studied by ellipsometry. The adsorption behavior of BSA was estimated from the observed changes in phase differences and in the ratio of reflection coefficients. The dynamic process of BSA adsorption was measured after the injection of BSA solution into the aqueous substrate of SDocS monolayer. The gentle stirring of the substrate solution for 10 min was found to be enough to make the solution homogeneous without damaging the monolayer. The adsorption characteristics of BSA onto a negatively charged surface was compared with that onto a positively charged surface previously reported.The amount of adsorption depended on time and showed a maximum with an initial rapid rise, followed by gradual decrease toward the ultimate equilibrium value. The amount and time of the maximum adsorption depended on the concentration of BSA added to the aqueous substrate.Separate radiotracer measurement, using³⁵S-labeled SDocS monolayer, which is insoluble by itself, revealed that SDocS is solubilized into the bulk solution when BSA is added to the aqueous substrate.     

Insoluble monolayers of irisresorcinol at the air/water interface

Monolayer properties of irisresorcinol [5-(cis-10-heptadecenyl) resorcinol] were measured at the air/water interface. TheA-T isobars of the monolayers at 10 and 15 mN/m gave two-dimensional thermal expansivities of 1.4 × 10^–4/K and 1.3 × 10^–4/K at a temperature span from 7–40 C, respectively. The- A isotherms of the material showed only a little dependence on temperature from 5–35 C and onpH except at highpH, where monolayers expanded by ionization of resorcinol headgroups. Some types of saccharose in the subphase exhibited a characteristic interaction with irisresorcinol in monolayers, and there is a possibility that this material will be used for molecular recognition of some saccharoses.     

Effect of polymerized silicic acid on mixed lipid-protein monolayers used as cell membrane models. I. Hemoglobin-stearoyl erythroceramide films

The effect of polysilicic acid on mixed monolayers of hemoglobin and stearoyl erythroceramide used as cell membrane models has been studied. The presence of the sphingolipid at the interface stabilizes the hemoglobin monolayer, hindering expulsion of its residues from the surface when the collapse pressure (ca. 23 mN/m) is reached. The interaction between the components of the mixed film results in non-additivity of their molecular areas to a degree depending on film composition and substrate pH. The presence of polysilicic acid in the substrate increases the miscibility of the components in the mixed monolayer as a result of ionic interaction between the silicic acid and the protein.     

Lipolysis of didecanoyl-lecithin/triolein mixed monolayers by phospholipaseA 2

A study of enzyme lipolysis by pancreatic phospholipaseA ₂ and by vipera berus phospholipaseA ₂ on monomolecular mixed films of didecanoyl-lecithin and triolein on an aqueous subphase of pH 8 has been carried out. The influence of the composition of the mixed film, the surface pressure of the film and the amount and type of the injected enzyme on the lipolysis rate were studied.In order to relate the lipolytic activity with the monolayer state, the compression isotherms of the didecanoyl-lecithin/triolein mixed monolayers have also been obtained.The resuls are compared to observations on lipolytic activity of phospholipaseA ₂ on the didecanoyl-lecithin/cholesterol mixed monolayers. Triolein improves the kinetic conditions of the lipolysis of lecithin films in a higher degree than cholesterol. Probably it increases the enzyme penetration by the fluidifying effect exerted on the lecithin monolayers.     

Catalase monolayers at the air/water interface I. Reversibilities and irreversibilities

/A-isotherms of catalase monolayers established at the air/water-interface are discussed quantitatively on the basis of molecular data: A relationship between a critical value of the surface pressure, the corresponding molecular area, and the molecular dimension of the molecules at the interface is proposed. It is shown that the unfolding of molecules at the water surface is pH-dependent. For each pH-value there is a distinct degree of unfolding; the molecules keep their globular state at neutral pH. Establishment at the surface of bulk solutions corresponding to globular and partly unfolded states, respectively, catalase molecules keep their original configuration on changing the pH-value of bulk-phase. The monolayers are confirmed to show reversibility with regard to lateral changes of state as well as irreversibility with respect to desorption of molecules.A model is proposed to explain the nature of the critical/A-value occurring in the/A-isotherms: on compression beyond _c, molecular segments are transferred from the surface into the bulkphase via a subsurface layer. From the experiments it is concluded that the surface pressure is determined, not only by the surface itself, but also by this subsurface layer.     

Interaction between amphiphiles and water molecules in concentrated bilayer aqueous colloids

Interaction between amphiphiles and water molecules in micelle or bilayer structure has been investigated using aqueous colloids of various amphiphiles through the rheological data and the spin-lattice relaxation timeT ₁ of the proton of water molecule.T ₁ of the water proton has been measured by the inversion recovery method and determined as a single exponential relaxation process.The chemical shift of the water proton is almost independent of the amphiphilic concentration; however, it shifts toward a higher magnetic field with increasing temperature in a way similar to that in pure water and in the amphiphilic aqueous systems. These facts mean that there is no significant difference in the magnetic field environment of the water protons in these systems.The water molecule is not necessarily bound in the fully developed micelle or bilayer (rod-like or lamella) structure which induces the high viscosity or high rigidity of the colloidal system. On the other hand, the water molecule is bound in the micelle colloids of amphoteric amphiphiles or amphiphiles whose molecular assembly creates a relatively strong electrostatic field. The activation entropy of the bound water is negative and this suggests that water molecules assume some ordered structure in the bound state.     

Interaction of Na+, K+, Li+ and Ca2+ ions in Tris-HCl buffer substrate with monolayers of phosphatidic acid and homologous phosphatidic acid alkyl esters

The interaction of ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Li⁺, Ca²⁺) with monolayers of phosphatidic acid alkyl esters (alkyl = methyl, ethyl,n-propyl,n-pentyl) were investigated at the air/water interface on Tris-HCl buffer, as well as on the electrolytes containing subphases.Qualitatively it can be stated that there are no considerable interactions between Na⁺ ions in the substrate and the head groups of phosphatidic acid esters in the monolayers. On the whole, the modification of the shape in the /a and v/a isotherms ( ^s = film pressure, v ^s = film potential) of the homologous phosphatidic acid esters as a function of the length of the ester group on the subphase containing NaCl, KCl, and LiCl corresponds to that on Tris-HCl buffer without admixture of electrolytes.On the other hand the strength of interaction between Ca²⁺ ions and the homologous phosphatidic acid esters depends on the length of the ester group. The film-condensing effect of Ca²⁺ ions becomes smaller with increasing length of the ester group.     

Azeotropic transformation in mixed monolayers of octadecylurea and hexadecylurea

The surface pressure of mixed monolayers of octadecylurea and hexadecylurea has been measured as a function of mean area per molecule at various temperatures and compositions. The surface pressure of the phase transition obtained was observed to decrease both with an increase in temperature and with an addition of another component. With the aid of the thermodynamic method developed previously, the apparent molar entropy and energy changes associated with the phase transition were found to be positive. These positive values were explained by the rupture of the intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Furthermore, the activity coefficients of film-forming components with reference to their respective pure components were considered in connection with the mutual interaction between octadecylurea and hexadecylurea molecules. It was concluded that the system exhibits the negative azeotropy as a result of the difficulty in forming the hydrogen bonding in the mixed monolayer.     

Macromolecular conformations at the water-air interface: Interactions between alpha and beta conformations of polypeptides

Bidimensional miscibility between alpha and beta conformations of polypeptides was investigated at the water-air interface in the 15°–30°C temperature range. The polypeptides were poly--methyl-L-glutamate (PGMG), poly--benzyl-L-glutamate (PGBG) and poly--benzyl-L-aspartate (PBBA). The polypeptide conformations, alpha or beta, were checked by IR spectroscopy using the MIR technique.The spreading isotherms for mixed monolayers alpha-PGMG/alpha-PGBG and beta-PGMG/beta-PBBA showed bidimensional miscibility both for alpha-alpha and beta-beta mixtures.For the alpha-alpha system, attractive interactions among the polypeptide alphahelices were found (G_mix<0) and the driving factor appeared to be the entropic one (packing). Compressibility moduli and surface potential measurements showed a fluidification effect of alpha-PGBG on mixed monolayers. In the case of beta-beta mixed monolayers, ideal behaviour was observed and no fluidification effect detected.Scanning electron micrographs made on collapsed monolayers showed hexagonal structures for alpha-alpha mixtures and no well-defined or characterized features for the beta-beta system.     

Solvent-induced phase separation in polycarbonate blends PC/TMPC

Compatibility of the polycarbonates of bisphenol A (PC) and tetramethyl bisphenol A (TMPC) was studied in glassy films cast from CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature, and above the glass-transition temperature. Blends with different compositions and of different molecular weights were analyzed by DSC and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Solution studies were made with light scattering and microscopy. Some of the blend films were two-phased when cast at room temperature, but all films were one-phased in equilibrium above the glass transition. The SANS data demonstrated that phase separation in the cast films was not caused by inherent incompatibility of PC and TMPC, but was induced by the solvent CH₂Cl₂. The effect is caused by a closed miscibility gap in the ternary solution system PC/TMPC/CH₂Cl₂.     

Mixed monolayers of polypeptides

Mixed monolayers of two polypeptides, poly--methyl-L-glutamate and poly-L-alanine in the same-helix surface conformation, were studied at the water/air interface.From a comparison of the experimental-A isotherms with Huggins' theory and from the examination of the MIR spectra for the two components and their mixtures, it was possible to deduce that poly--methyl-L-glutamate and poly-L-alanine were totally miscible at the surface with prevalently attractive interactions and that the mixtures maintained the conformation of the two components.The low values of the interaction parameters, deduced by applying Joos' theory to the collapse pressures of the mixtures, demonstrated that the interactions were prevalently hydrophobic     

Polymeric amphiphiles with hydrophilic main chain spacers: Studies in monolayers and Langmuir-Blodgett multilayers

A methacrylic lipid was polymerized to form an amphiphilic homopolymer and random copolymers with various levels of acrylic acid comonomers. The behavior of these polymeric lipids was investigated in monolayers at the air-water interface and in Langmuir-Blodgett multilayers on polymer foil supports. The acrylic acid acts as a hydrophilic spacer along the polymer backbone, and improves the ability of the polymer to self-organize into highly ordered monolayers and ultimately LB multilayers. It is shown that the quality and stability of the multilayers increase substantially with the increase in comonomer content.