Characterization of Monoolein-Based Lipoplexes Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Lipoplexes are commonly used as delivery systems in vitro and in vivo, the role of a neutral lipid as helper being of extreme importance in these systems. Cationic liposomes composed of dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) with monoolein (MO) as a helper, at different molar ratios (1:2; 1:1 and 1:0.5) were prepared, and subsequently titrated to DNA. The structural and physicochemical properties of the lipid/DNA complexes were assessed by ethidium bromide (EtBr) exclusion, 90° static light scattering (90° SLS) assays and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). In EtBr exclusion assays, the steady-state fluorescence spectra of EtBr were decomposed into the sum of two lognormal emissions, emanating from two different environments – H₂O and DNA, and the effect of charge ratio (+/-) was observed. 90° SLS assays gave an important contribution, detecting size variations in systems with different MO fractions on the lipoplexes. In FRET assays, 2-(3-(diphenylhexatrienyl)propanoyl)-1-hexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPH-HPC) was used as donor and EtBr as acceptor. The DNA component previously calculated by EtBr exclusion, was used to determine the energy transfer efficiency, as an indirect measurement of the lipoplexes structural and physicochemical properties. Our results demonstrate that the inclusion of monoolein in the cationic liposomes formulation significantly modifies the rate of DNA complexation, being DODAB:MO (1:1) the system with higher DNA condensation efficiency.     

Microspectroscopic Study of Liposome-to-cell Interaction Revealed by Förster Resonance Energy Transfer

We report the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-labeling of liposomal vesicles as an effective approach to study in dynamics the interaction of liposomes with living cells of different types (rat hepatocytes, rat bone marrow, mouse fibroblast-like cells and human breast cancer cells) and cell organelles (hepatocyte nuclei). The in vitro experiments were performed using fluorescent microspectroscopic technique. Two fluorescent dyes (DiO as the energy donor and DiI as an acceptor) were preloaded in lipid bilayers of phosphatidylcholine liposomes that ensures the necessary distance between the dyes for effective FRET. The change in time of the donor and acceptor relative fluorescence intensities was used to visualize and trace the liposome-to-cell interaction. We show that FRET-labeling of liposome vesicles allows one to reveal the differences in efficiency and dynamics of these interactions, which are associated with composition, fluidity, and metabolic activity of cell plasma membranes.     

Structural characterization of a new lipid/DNA complex showing a selective transfection efficiency in ovarian cancer cells

We investigated, for the first time, by using Energy Dispersive X-ray Diffraction, the structure of a new ternary cationic liposome formulated with dioleoyl trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP), 1,2-dioleoyl-3-phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) and cholesterol (Chol) (DDC) which has been recently found to have a selective high gene transfer ability in ovarian cancer cells. Our structural results provide a further experimental support to the widely accepted statement that there is not a simple and direct correlation between structure and transfection efficiency and that the factors controlling cationic lipid/DNA (CL-DNA) complexes-mediated gene transfer depend not only on the formulations of the cationic liposomes and their thermodynamic phase, but also significantly on the cell properties. Received: 28 October 2002 / Accepted: 21 March 2003 / Published online: 15 April 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: a.congiu@caspur.it     

Fluorescent Temporin B Derivative and its Binding to Liposomes

Temporins are short (10–13 amino acids) and linear antimicrobial peptides first isolated from the skin of the European red frog, Rana temporaria, and are effective against Gram-positive bacteria and Candida albicans. Similarly to other antimicrobial peptides, the association of temporins to lipid membranes has been concluded to underlie their antimicrobial effects. Accordingly, a detailed understanding of their interactions with phospholipids is needed. We conjugated a fluorophore (Texas Red) to a Cys containing derivative of temporin B (temB) and investigated its binding to liposomes by fluorescence spectroscopy. Circular dichroic spectra for the Cys-mutant recorded in the absence and in the presence of phospholipids were essentially similar to those for temB. A blue shift in the emission spectra and diminished quenching by ferrocyanide (FCN) of Texas Red labeled temporin B (TRC-temB) were seen in the presence of liposomes. Both of these changes can be attributed to the insertion of the Texas Red into the hydrophobic region of the bilayer. Resonance energy transfer, steady state anisotropy, and fluorescence lifetimes further demonstrate the interaction of TRC-temB with liposomes to be enhanced by negatively charged phospholipids. Instead, cholesterol attenuates the association of TRC-temB with membranes. The interactions between TRC-temB and liposomes of varying negative surface charge are driven by electrostatics as well as hydrophobicity. Similarly to native temporin B also TRC-temB forms amyloid type fibers in the presence of negatively charged liposomes. This property is likely to relate to the cytotoxic activity of this peptide.     

Magnetic-field-induced deformation of lipid membranes

The substantial effects of relatively low, steady magnetic fields less than 0.5 T up to high magnetic fields up to 30 T on the membrane potential and resistance of black lipid membranes of didodecyl phosphite and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) are presented. Also, the magnetic-field-induced fusion and division of DPPC liposomes are demonstrated. Such significant magnetoresponses should result in the magnetic orientation of the lipid molecules and associated undulation of the membranes. Thus, the addition to membranes of diamagnetic aromatics having a large magnetic anisotropy enhanced the magnetoresponses: larger changes in membrane potential and resistance and a lower shift of the onset magnetic-field, with abrupt changes in liposome sizes and membrane potential.     

Fluorescence Studies on New Potential Antitumoral Benzothienopyran-1-ones in Solution and in Liposomes

Fluorescence properties of four new potential antitumoral compounds, 3-arylbenzothieno[2,3-c]pyran-1-ones, were studied in solution and in lipid membranes of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (Egg-PC) and dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB). The 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzothieno[2,3-c]pyran-1-one (1c) exhibits the higher fluorescence quantum yields in all solvents studied. All compounds present a solvent sensitive emission, with significant red shifts in polar solvents for the methoxylated compounds. The results point to an ICT character of the excited state, more pronounced for compound 1c. Fluorescence (steady-state) anisotropy measurements of the compounds incorporated in liposomes of DPPC, DODAB and Egg-PC indicate that all compounds have two different locations, one due to a deep penetration in the lipid membrane and another corresponding to a more hydrated environment. In general, the methoxylated compounds prefer hydrated environments inside the liposomes. The 3-(4-fluorophenyl)benzothieno[2,3-c]pyran-1-one (1a) clearly prefers a hydrated environment, with some molecules located at the outer part of the liposome interface. On the contrary, the preferential location of 3-(2-fluorophenyl)benzothieno[2,3-c]pyran-1-one (1b) is in the region of lipid hydrophobic tails. Compounds with a planar geometry (1a and 1c) have higher mobility in the lipid membranes when phase transition occurs.     

Morphology and bilayer integrity of small liposomes during aerosol generation by air-jet nebulisation

Small liposome suspensions (hydrodynamic diameter, 80–130 nm) were nebulised, and the resulting changes in morphology and bilayer integrity were found to be related to surface properties controlled by bilayer composition. Four separate liposome compositions (or liposome types) were investigated using three different phospholipids with unique properties. Morphological changes were studied using light scattering and imaging of liposomes before and after nebulisation, and structural integrity was investigated on the basis of the retention of an encapsulated dye (probe molecule). Nebulisation generated droplets contained liposomes. The liposome particles generated on droplet evaporation had a hollow structure as evidenced by electron imaging, indicating that the lipid bilayer does not collapse on evaporation. The particles of all compositions had mobility diameters between 50 and 90 nm, 1.4–1.6 times smaller than their diameters (hydrodynamic) measured before nebulisation, implying considerable volume shrinkage. Liposomes that had polymer-conjugated lipids covering their external surface underwent aggregation during nebulisation, evidenced by increased diameter after nebulisation. Incorporation of charged lipids reduced nebulisation-induced aggregation, but induced greater membrane rupture during aerosol generation, causing leakage of encapsulated probe molecules. Incorporation of both cholesterol and charged lipids prevented aggregation, but also preserved bilayer integrity, evidenced by the maximum retention of encapsulated dye observed in these conditions (>85%). The findings suggest that liposome bilayer composition can be manipulated to improve the efficiency of liposome aerosol delivery.     

Video fluorescence microscopic techniques to monitor local lipid and phospholipid molecular order and organization in cell membranes during hypoxic injury

Digitized video microscopy is rapidly finding uses in a number of fields of biological investigation because it allows quantitative assessment of physiological functions in intact cells under a variety of conditions. In this review paper, we focus on the rationale for the development and use of quantitative digitized video fluorescence microscopic techniques to monitor the molecular order and organization of lipids and phospholipids in the plasma membrane of single living cells. These include (1) fluorescence polarization imaging microscopy, used to measure plasma membrane lipid order, (2) fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging microscopy, used to detect and monitor phospholipid domain formation, and (3) fluorescence quenching imaging microscopy, used to spatially map fluid and rigid lipid domains. We review both the theoretical as well as practical use of these different techniques and their limits and potential for future developments, and provide as an illustrative example their application in studies of plasma membrane lipid order and topography during hypoxic injury in rat hepatocytes. Each of these methods provides complementary information; in the case of hypoxic injury, they all indicated that hypoxic injury leads to a spatially and temporally heterogeneous alteration in lipid order, topography, and fluidity of the plasma membrane. Hypoxic injury induces the formation of both fluid and rigid lipid domains; the formation of these domains is responsible for loss of the plasma membrane permeability barrier and the onset of irreversible injury (cell death). By defining the mechanisms which lead to alterations in lipid and phospholipid order and organization in the plasma membrane of hypoxic cells, potential sites of intervention to delay, prevent, or rescue cells from hypoxic injury have been identified. Finally, we briefly discuss fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) and its potential application for studies monitoring local lipid and phospholipid molecular order and organization in cell membranes.     

Domain Formation in DODAB–Cholesterol Mixed Systems Monitored via Nile Red Anisotropy

The effect of the cholesterol (ch) on liposomes composed of the cationic lipid dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) was assessed by studying both the steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy of the dye Nile Red. The information obtained combined with analysis of the steady-state emission and fluorescence lifetime of Nile Red (NR) for different cholesterol concentrations (5–50%) elucidated the presence of “condensed complexes” and cholesterol-rich domains in these mixed systems. The steady-state fluorescence spectra were decomposed into the sum of two lognormal emissions, emanating from two different states, and the effect of temperature on the anisotropy decay of Nile Red for different cholesterol concentrations was observed. At room temperature, the time-resolved anisotropy decays are indicative of NR being relatively immobile (manifest by a high r _∞ value). At higher temperature, rotational times ca. 1 ns were obtained throughout and a trend in increasing hindrance was seen with increase of Ch content.     

Exploration of twisted intramolecular charge transfer fluorescence properties of trans-2-[4-(dimethylamino)styryl]benzothiazole to characterize the protein–surfactant aggregates

The characterization of aggregates of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) in various regions of binding isotherm of SDS to BSA with increasing concentration of the former have been done by exploring the twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) fluorescence properties of a probe, trans-2-[4-(dimethylamino)styryl] benzothiazole (DMASBT). The TICT fluorescence, steady-state fluorescence anisotropy and time-resolved fluorescence of DMASBT, and the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) study reveal the characteristics of the native protein as well as the protein–surfactant aggregates viz., micropolarity, microviscosity, locations of probe, denaturation of protein in various regions of binding isotherm, and also the validation of necklace-bead model. The changes in the polarity and the viscosity of the microenvironment around the probe from one binding region of SDS to other have been reflected in the highly sensitive fluorescence properties of DMASBT. The study of FRET between the DMASBT and the tryptophan residue (Trp) of BSA has identified the locations of the probe molecule in the native protein as well as that in various BSA–SDS aggregates. The energy transfer efficiency decreases, whereas the distance between the DMASBT and the Trp residue increases with increasing concentration of SDS. The significant change in the conformations of protein molecules during the non-cooperative binding region of SDS is evidenced by the fluorescence anisotropic behavior of DMASBT in the same region.     

Fluorescent Probing of Protein Bovine Serum Albumin Stability and Denaturation Using Polarity Sensitive Spectral Response of a Charge Transfer Probe

The polarity sensitive photo-induced intra-molecular charge transfer (ICT) fluorescence probe (E)-3-(4-methylamino-phenyl)-acrylic acid ethyl ester (MAPAEE) has been used to study the model protein Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) in its native and thermal and urea induced denatured states. The interaction between BSA and the regular surfactant Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) as well as the biologically relevant steroid-based amphiphile Sodium Deoxycholate (NaDC) has also been very keenly followed using this ICT probe. The variation of micellar properties of both SDS and NaDC with increasing ionic strengths and in presence of the chaotrope urea has also been well documemted by the same probe. Steady-state spectroscopy, FRET, and fluorescence anisotropy measurements have been used to gain better insight into these processes and the molecule MAPAEE to be a full-bodied fluorescent probe for studying such intricate biological systems, their properties and interactions.     

紫外可见吸收光谱检测pH值对光聚合脂质体的影响

利用紫外可见吸收光谱法考察脂质溶液pH值对光聚合脂质体的影响.通过水浴超声法制备光聚合脂质体,然后以脂质体的光学特性作为主要指标,利用光谱扫描测量各体系在640nm、540nm处的吸光值,利用比色响应值(CR)来对不同pH值下光聚合脂质体的颜色变化进行定量分析.结果表明,随着pH值的增大,光聚合脂质体溶液颜色由蓝色逐渐变成深红色.     

Liposome encapsulation of fluorescent nanoparticles: Quantum dots and silica nanoparticles

Quantum dots (QDs) and silica nanoparticles (SNs) are relatively new classes of fluorescent probes that overcome the limitations encountered by organic fluorophores in bioassay and biological imaging applications. We encapsulated QDs and SNs in liposomes and separated nanoparticle-loaded liposomes from unencapsulated nanoparticles by size exclusion chromatography. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy was used to measure the average number of nanoparticles inside each liposome. Results indicated that nanoparticle-loaded liposomes were formed and separated from unencapsulated nanoparticles by using a Sepharose gel. As expected, fluorescence self-quenching of nanoparticles inside liposomes was not observed. Each liposome encapsulated an average of three QDs. These studies demonstrated that nanoparticles could be successfully encapsulated into liposomes and provided a methodology to quantify the number of nanoparticles inside each liposome by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.     

Enhancing the Emission of Polydiacetylene Sensing Materials Through Fluorophore Addition and Energy Transfer

Enhancement of the environmentally responsive fluorescent properties of polydiacetylene (PDA) by combination with lipophilic fluorophores was demonstrated and properties of the PDA/fluorophore systems were explored. Liposomes containing PDA and fluorophores exhibited enhanced Stokes shift and increase in emission as a result of energy transfer from PDA to fluorophore. The effects of fluorophore variation, degree of PDA polymerization and diyne placement in the diacetylene lipid tails on the emission enhancement were studied. It was determined that signal generation was optimized at a relatively low extent of PDA polymerization with the optimal degree of polymerization dependent on the other parameters. Energy transfer was used as a tool to detect fluorophore exchange between polymerized and unpolymerized liposomes and to study the effects of fluorophore structure on exchange from unpolymerized to PDA liposomes. Fluorophores that locate at the aqueous interface with alkyl anchors were slow to transfer while fluorophores that partition into the alkyl regions of the liposomes transfer quickly.     

The engineering of doxorubicin-loaded liposome-quantum dot hybrids for cancer theranostics

In the fabrication of phase change random access memory(PRAM) devices, high temperature thermal processes are inevitable. We investigate the thermal stability of Ge2Sb2Te5(GST) which is a prototypical phase change material. After high temperature process, voids of phase change material exist at the interface between Ge2Sb2Te5 and substrate in the initial open memory cell. This lower region of Ge2Sb2Te5 is found to be a Te-rich phase change layer. Phase change memory devices are fabricated in different process conditions and examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray. It is found that hot-chuck process, nitrogen-doping process, and lower temperature inter-metal dielectric(IMD) deposition process can ease the thermal impact of line-GST PRAM cell.     

Fluorescence anisotropy and light-scattering studies of the interaction of insulin with liposomes

The interaction between zinc-stabilized insulin and lecithin liposomal membranes was studied using DPH fluorescence anisotropy and light-scattering techniques. To ascertain a possible influence of a charge on the insulin molecule, experiments were performed at pH 4.5 (insulin possesses a positive charge) and at pH 7.4 (the charge of insulin is negative). Measurements at pH 4.5 revealed significant changes in scattered light intensity induced by the addition of insulin to lecithin liposomes. With increasing time of storage of liposomes the insulin effect became faster and more pronounced. At pH 7.4, significant changes in scattered light were registered only in the case of liposomes stored for 5 days. In these liposomes a peroxidation process of lecithin was revealed. No significant changes induced by insulin were observed in DPH fluorescence anisotropy either at pH 4.5 or at pH 7.4, which suggested the absence of an interaction of insulin with the hycrophobic core of liposomes. Thus, the observed changes in scattered light could be interpreted in terms of the insulin association to the liposomal surface in the case of phospholipid peroxidation and/or acidic pH.     

Open Channel Structure of MscL: A Patch-Clamp and Spectroscopic Study

MscL, the bacterial mechanosensitive (MS) channel of large conductance, has become a prototype channel to study structure–function relationship of the MS class of ion channels. Within a few years of cloning the mscL gene, the three-dimensional structure of the MscL protein was determined by X-ray crystallography, which allowed for detailed molecular studies of its structure and function. A combination of the (1) patch-clamp recording examining the function of MscL channels reconstituted into artificial liposomes, and (2) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) spectroscopy examining structural changes occurring during gating of the reconstituted channels, provided a plausible molecular mechanism of gating of MS channels. This experimental approach helped to establish two physical mechanisms as triggers of the MscL channel gating by lipid bilayer deformation forces: (1) the energetic cost of protein-bilayer hydrophobic mismatch and (2) the geometric consequences of bilayer intrinsic curvature. The results of the EPR and FRET spectroscopic studies showed that the open state of MscL is highly dynamic, supporting a water-filled pore of at least 25 Å in diameter corresponding to an overall change in diameter of the channel protein of about 15 Å.     

An interaction of helicid with liposome biomembrane

An interaction of helicid with phosphatidylcholine liposome biomembrane was studied by transmission electron microscopy, UV-vis, fluorescence, Raman and ³¹P NMR spectra. The results indicate that most of helicid molecules associate with liposomes at their surface and some of them penetrate the liposomes and locate in the hydrophobic regions of the membrane. The distribution coefficient K_D between liposome phases and aqueous phases is 13.5. The liposome becomes more dispersive and stable in the presence of helicid. The microenvironmental micropolarity and the microhydrophobicity of liposome membrane decrease with the increase of helicid concentration. The interaction of helicid molecules with liposome results in a slight decrease of the membrane longitudinal order, and an increase of the membrane lateral order. A model for the interaction of helicid with liposome biomembrane is proposed on the basis of the change of microenvironment parameters of liposome including the micropolarity, microhydrophobicity and membrane order. The change of microenvironment parameters results mainly from hydrogen bonding interaction between the hydroxyl groups of the pyranoside rings of helicid molecules and the polar head groups of phosphatidylcholine.     

Fluorescence and ESR studies on membrane oxidative damage by gamma radiation

Oxidative damage to cellular membranes critically controls the manifestation of cellular response to ionizing radiation. To gain further insight into the damaging mechanisms, we have investigated the effects of γ-radiation-generated free-radical-mediated peroxidative damage in egg yolk lecithin unilamellar liposomal membranes by employing 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH). Alterations in lipid bilayer fluidity and malondialdehyde (MDA) formation were measured in irradiated liposomal membranes as a function of radiation dose (0.1-1 kGy). A relationship seems to exist between the degree of radiation-induced peroxidative damage and the magnitude of DPH fluorescence decay in irradiated membranes. Radiation-induced membrane rigidization and MDA formation were significantly reduced when α-tocopherol, a natural membrane antioxidant, was present in the liposomes suggesting an involvement of lipid free radicals in the mechanism of the damage process. The results of the present study have been compared with those obtained by the electron spin resonance (ESR) technique on human erythrocyte ghost membranes with spin-labeled phospholipids having the unique capability to sensitively report on the dynamic state of the lipid environment inside the bilayer membrane. Iodoacetamide and N-ethylmaleimide spin labels were used to investigate alterations in membrane proteins. These results have contributed to our understanding of mechanisms involved in radiation membrane oxidative damage in terms of lipid peroxidation, fluidity changes and involvement of -SH groups of membrane proteins. Combined use of fluorescence and ESR spin-label techniques is of potential interest in probing the deeper molecular mechanisms of radiation injury in cellular membranes for developing strategies to modify the radiation damage to cells.     

CdTe量子点与罗丹明B水溶液体系下的双光子激发荧光共振能量转移

采用时间分辨荧光光谱技术研究了在双光子激发下不同尺寸的量子点与罗丹明B 之间的荧光共振能量转移. 研究结果表明, 在800 nm的双光子激发条件下, 体系间能量转移效率随着供体吸收光谱与受体荧光光谱的光谱重叠程度增加而增加; 理论分析表明, 供体和受体间的Förster半径增加是导致其双光子能量转移效率增大的物理原因. 同时, 研究了罗丹明B浓度对荧光共振能量转移效率的影响. 研究结果表明, 量子点的荧光寿命随着罗丹明B浓度的增加而减小; 量子点与罗丹明B之间的荧光共振能量转移效率随着罗丹明B浓度的增加而增加; 当罗丹明B浓度为3.0×10^-5 mol·L^-1时, 双光子荧光共振能量转移效率为40.1%.