Complexes of anionic liposomes and a cationic polymer: Composition,structure, and characteristics

Adsorption of the synthetic polycation poly-N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide (PEP) on the surface of bilayered lipid vesicles (liposomes) is studied. Two types of liposomes are used: (i) traditional two-component liposomes formed from neutral phosphatidylcholine (PC) and anionic diphosphatidylglycerol (cardiolipin, CL²⁻) and (ii) PC/CL²⁻ anionic liposomes with the built-in nonionogenic surfactant poly(ethyleneglycol) cetyl ether with a degree of polymerization of 20 (Brij-58). PEP is quantitatively linked with both types of liposomes; this process is electrostatic in character and fully reversible. The formation of a poly(ethylene glycol) layer on liposomal membrane decreases the stability of polycation-liposome complexes in aqueous salt solutions. Adsorption of PEP on the surface of PC/CL²⁻ liposomes is accompanied by their aggregation; PC/CL²⁻/Brij liposomes do not aggregates, even during complete neutralization of their charge by the adsorbed PEP. DSC measurements showed that the adsorption of the polycation is accompanied by microphase separation in the liposomal membrane: formation of domains, which are composed primarily of CL²⁻ molecules and linked to the complex with PEP, and regions, where electroneutral lipids are primarily concentrated. With the use of a spin probe, the packing density of bilayers (their microviscosity) is estimated, and a preferential localization of the probe at the boundaries of lipid domains in the membrane based on PC/CL²⁻/Brij liposomes is proposed. The causes of the aggregative stability of three-component PC/CL²⁻/Brij liposomes are described, and the structure of the prepared polymer-liposome complexes is discussed.     

A laser photolysis study of the quenching kinetics of triplet-state all-<Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-retinal by oxygen in aqueous albumin and liposome solutions

The kinetics of quenching of the all-trans-retinal triplet state by air oxygen in aqueous solutions of bovine serum albumin and in a cardiolipin liposome suspension was investigated by nanosecond laser photolysis. It was established that the quenching reaction rate constant in the albumin solution (1.8 × 10⁸ l mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) was an order of magnitude less than in liposomes (3.1 × 10⁹ l mol⁻¹ s⁻¹). These constants were 5.0 × 10⁹ and 1.1 × 10⁹ l mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ in methanol and aqueous solutions containing 10 vol % methanol, respectively. The effect of hindered oxygen access to the Lall-trans-retinal attached to albumin is discussed in terms of its influence on the photooxidation processes in the retina.     

DNA Quantification in Nanoliter Volumes

A novel method for the determination of proteins at nanogram levels was proposed based on the decrease of resonance light scattering (RLS) signal resulting from the interaction of dibromo-o-nitrophenylfluorone (DBONPF)-sodium lauroyl glutamate (SLG) with proteins. At pH 2.97, the decrease RLS intensity was proportional to the concentration of proteins in the range of nanogram levels with 3σ detection limits being 3.4 ng mL⁻¹ for bovine serum albumin (BSA), 1.7 ng mL⁻¹ for human serum albumin (HSA), 4.1 ng mL⁻¹ for γ-globulin (γ-IgG), 4.4 ng mL⁻¹ for egg albumin, 6.2 ng mL⁻¹ for pepsin (Pep) and 3.7 ng mL⁻¹ for α-chymotrypsin (Chy). The method is no protein-to-protein variability, simple, rapid, practical and relatively free from interference from coexisting substance, as well as much more sensitive than most of the reported methods. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine total protein in human serum samples.     

Fluorescence enhancement of the protein–curcumin–sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate system and protein determination

Protein can greatly enhance the fluorescence of curcumin (CU) in the presence of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS). Experiments indicate that under the optimum conditions, the enhanced intensity of fluorescence is proportional to the concentration of proteins in the range of 0.0050–20.0 μg mL⁻¹ for bovine serum albumin (BSA), 0.080–20.0 μg mL⁻¹ for human serum albumin (HSA), and 0.040–28.0 μg mL⁻¹ for egg albumin (EA). Their detection limits (S/N=3) are 1.4 ng mL⁻¹, 20 ng mL⁻¹, and 16 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The method has been satisfactorily used for the determination of proteins in actual samples. In comparison with most of fluorimetric methods, this method is quick and simple, has high sensitivity and good stability. The interaction mechanism is also studied.     

Spectrophotometric determination of total protein in serum using a novel near-infrared cyanine dye, 5,5′-dicarboxy-1,1′-disulfobutyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindotricarbocyanine

The application of near-infrared (NIR) dyes (λ _em > 750 nm) to the analysis of biological samples shows much promise, because the long emission wavelengths of such dyes allow interferences from biomolecule matrices to be minimized. In this paper, a novel NIR dye, 5,5′-dicarboxy-1,1′-disulfobutyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindotricarbocyanine (DCDSTCY) has been developed for the spectrophotometric determination of total protein in serum. Under acidic conditions, the binding of DCDSTCY to proteins caused a new peak at 878 nm, the height of which was proportional to the concentration of protein. The linear range of the method was found to be 0.04–0.5 μg mL⁻¹ for bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA), and detection limits of 5 ng mL⁻¹ were obtained for these substances. The maximum binding number of BSA with DCDSTCY was measured to be 133. The method proposed here has been applied to the quantitation of total protein in serum, and recoveries of 96.6–104% were achieved. Figure Near-infrared probe for protein determination     

Determination of trace proteins with pyronine Y and SDS by resonance light scattering

A new resonance light scattering (RLS) probe for determining proteins is presented. The weak RLS of pyronine Y–SDS can be enhanced substantially by adding proteins in the presence of H₂SO₄, resulting in a strong and wide RLS band in the region 310–425 nm. The interaction of pyronine Y–SDS with proteins was studied on the basis of this behavior and a new quantitative method was developed for determining proteins. The enhanced RLS intensity is proportional to the concentration of proteins in the range 0.15–3.6 μg mL⁻¹ for bovine serum albumin (BSA) and 0.06–4.8 μg mL⁻¹ for human serum albumin (HSA), with detection limits of 21.0 and 12.0 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. This method is characterized by high sensitivity, rapidity of reaction, and simplicity. Four synthetic samples were determined satisfactorily and recovery was 99.5–101.5%. Results for human serum and urine samples were in agreement with those obtained by the Bradford method, with relative standard deviations (RSD) of 1.5–3.1%.     

Resonance light-scattering method for the determination of BSA and HSA with sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate or sodium lauryl sulfate

A new resonance light-scattering (RLS) assay of proteins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) is presented. In the medium of phosphoric acid (pH=2.6), the weak RLS of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) can be greatly enhanced by proteins, owing to interaction between the protein and the anionic surfactant and formation of an associate. The RLS intensity of the SDBS–protein system is stronger than that of the SLS–protein system under same experimental conditions. It is considered that the synergistic resonance caused by the absorption of both protein and SDBS could produce strong RLS, while absorption of protein only in the SLS system could cause relatively weak RLS. The enhanced intensity of RLS is proportional to the concentration of the protein. If SDBS is used as the probe the linear range is 7.5×10^–9–1.5×10^–5 g mL^–1 for BSA and 1.0×10^–8–1.0×10^–5 g mL^–1 for HSA. The detection limits are 1.8 and 2.8 ng mL^–1, respectively. When SLS is used as the probe the linear range is 2.0×10^–8–1.0×10^–5 g mL^–1 and 2.5×10^–8–1.0×10^–5 g mL^–1 for BSA and HSA, respectively, and the detection limits are 12.8 and 21.6 ng mL^–1, respectively. The biological mimics samples are synthetic concoctions of BSA and HSA with some interferents. In these samples, the concentration of interferents is higher than the concentration normally existing in organisms. The samples were determined satisfactorily.     

A reusable liposome array and its application to assay of growth-hormone-related peptides

We describe a reusable liposome array based on the formation of cleavable disulfide cross-links between liposomes and the surface of a glass slip. The N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)-propionate (SPDP)-modified liposomes encapsulating a pH-sensitive fluorescence dye were immobilized on a 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MTS)-modified glass slip through the formation of disulfide bonds. The regeneration of a used slip was performed by the lysis of immobilized liposomes with Triton X-100 and the cleavage of disulfide bonds by reduction with TCEP, followed by immobilization of SPDP-modified liposomes. The regeneration steps did not affect the fluorescence intensity of re-immobilized liposomes. The liposome array was applied to simultaneous quantification of growth hormone related peptides, i.e., GHRF and somatostatin, in a mixture. After optimizing the assay condition, the method allowed quantification of GHRF and somatostatin in concentration ranges from 0.5 × 10⁻⁹ to 0.5 × 10⁻⁷ g/mL with detection limits of 2 × 10⁻¹⁰ and 3 × 10⁻¹⁰ g/mL, respectively.     

Determination of human serum albumin using aurothiomalate as electroactive label

A new electroactive label has been used to monitor immunoassays in the determination of human serum albumin (HSA) using glassy-carbon electrodes as supports for the immunological reactions. The label was a gold(I) complex, sodium aurothiomalate, which was bound to rabbit IgG anti-human serum albumin (anti-HSA-Au). The HSA was adsorbed on the electrode surface and the immunological reaction with gold-labelled anti-HSA was then performed for one hour by non-competitive or competitive procedures. The gold(I) bound to the anti-HSA was electrodeposited in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ HCl at −1.00 V for 5 min then oxidised in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ H₂SO₄ solution at +1.40 V for 1 min. Silver electrodeposition at −0.14 V for 1 min followed by anodic stripping voltammetry were then performed in aqueous 1.0 mol L⁻¹ NH₃–2.0×10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ AgNO₃. For both non-competitive and competitive formats, calibration plots in the ranges 5.0×10⁻¹⁰ to 1.0×10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ and 1.0×10⁻¹⁰ to 1.0×10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ HSA, respectively, with estimated detection limits of 1.5×10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ (10 ng mL⁻¹) and 1.0×10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ (7 ng mL⁻¹), respectively, were obtained. Levels of HSA in two healthy volunteer urine samples were also evaluated, using both immunoassay formats.     

Uptake of amitriptyline and nortriptyline with liposomes, proteins, and serum: implications for drug detoxification

Liposomes composed of DOPG and DMPC were studied for their ability to sequester amitriptyline and nortriptyline under physiological conditions. The liposomes reduced the free drug concentration in protein mixtures and in human serum, but the drug uptake efficiency of liposomes was reduced in the presence of plasma proteins, perhaps due to adsorption of proteins on the liposomes. The reduction was significantly more for the pure DOPG liposomes. The 50:50 DMPC:DOPG liposomes (0.72 mg lipid/mL) reduced the free amitriptyline concentration by 50-60% in the presence of 7% proteins (4% albumin (w/w), 2% fibrinogen (w/w), 1% globulins (w/w)). In human serum, the free drug reduction was 35-70% with the same 50:50 liposomes (0.72 mg lipid/mL). The liposomal systems were equally efficient at sequestering nortriptyline, which is a major metabolite of amitriptyline. The drug binding to liposomes in the presence of serum proteins is also quick and reversible and the likely mechanism of drug sequestration is adsorption of drug on the surface of liposomes. Accordingly, the drug uptake increases with increased charge and lipid loading. Even though the serum proteins reduced the effectiveness of the liposomes at sequestering the drug, the 50:50 DMPC:DOPG liposomes may be effective at treating amitriptyline overdose patients.     

Interaction of curcumin with lipid monolayers and liposomal bilayers

Curcumin shows huge potential as an anticancer and anti-inflammatory agent. However, to achieve a satisfactory bioavailability and stability of this compound, its liposomal form is preferable. Our detailed studies on the curcumin interaction with lipid membranes are aimed to obtain better understanding of the mechanism and eventually to improve the efficiency of curcumin delivery to cells. Egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (EYPC) one-component monolayers and bilayers, as well as mixed systems containing additionally dihexadecyl phosphate (DHP) and cholesterol, were studied. Curcumin binding constant to EYPC liposomes was determined based on two different methods: UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence measurements to be 4.26 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ and 3.79 × 10⁴ M⁻¹, respectively. The fluorescence quenching experiment revealed that curcumin locates in the hydrophobic region of EYPC liposomal bilayer. It was shown that curcumin impacts the size and stability of the liposomal carriers significantly. Loaded into the EYPC/DPH/cholesterol liposomal bilayer curcumin stabilizes the system proportionally to its content, while the EYPC/DPH system is destabilized upon drug loading. The three-component lipid composition of the liposome seems to be the most promising system for curcumin delivery. An interaction of free and liposomal curcumin with EYPC and mixed monolayers was also studied using Langmuir balance measurements. Monolayer systems were treated as a simple model of cell membrane. Condensing effect of curcumin on EYPC and EYPC/DHP monolayers and loosening influence on EYPC/DHP/chol ones were observed. It was also demonstrated that curcumin-loaded EYPC liposomes are more stable upon interaction with the model lipid membrane than the unloaded ones.     

Binding equilibrium of I? to serum albumin with resonance Rayleigh scattering

The binding equilibrium between l⁻ and human serum albumin (HSA) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been studied by means of the resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) and equilibrium dialysis. It has been found for the first time that RRS and multiple frequency scattering (MFS) are enhanced as the l⁻ binding to the HSA and BSA, but fluorescence quenches. The equilibrium dialysis results suggest that the binding of l⁻ to HSA and BSA fits a phase-distribution model other than Scatchard model, and that the order of magnitude of its phase-distribution constant was found to be 10⁴. It is most probable that Cl⁻ or other anion ions influence the binding of l⁻ by changing the ionic strength in the solution. The dialysis at different pH indicates that the binding mechanism is due to the electrostatic forces between the l⁻ and protonated basic amino-acid residues.     

Tudy on drug displacement interactions by capillary electrophoresis-frontal analysis

The interaction between 18-methyl norethindrone and ketoprofen, including the displacement of ketoprofen from human serum albumin binding sites, was investigated by the capillary electrophoresis-frontal analysis method (CE-FA) at room temperature. A very large sample plug was introduced hydrostatically into the capillary (65 cm × 50 μm i.d.; effective length of 35 cm) over 80 s at a height difference of 11 cm. The working conditions for CE-FA separation are as follows: operating voltage, 10 kV; running buffer, 67 mmol·L⁻¹ phosphate, pH 7.4. The unbound ketoprofen concentration was directly measured from the height of the frontal peak. When the concentration of 18-methyl norethindrone was increased from 0 to 200 μmol/L, the unbound ketoprofen concentration was found to increase from 22.4 to 26.4 μmol/L at 100 μmol/L total ketoprofen concentration and from 82.1 to 106.2 μmol/L at 200 μmol/L total ketoprofen concentration. From these data, it may be deduced that the administration of high concentration of 18-methyl norethindrone can displace ketoprofen from its secondary binding site. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Chromatography, 2005, 23(2)(in Chinese)     

Preparation and chromatographic behavior of acetate-fiber filter rods with dye affinity ligands

Summary The dyes cibacron blue F3GA and reactive red 120 have been immobilized on acetate fiber filter rods to produce potential affinity matrixes. The isothermal adsorption of bovine serum albumin or human serum albumin on these matrixes was investigated and proved to conform to the Freundlich equation. In the static adsorption of human plasma the adsorption capacity for human serum albumin was 12.5 mg g⁻¹ fiber filter and one band was observed in SDS-PAGE electrophoresis of human serum albumin isolated by the immobilized cibacron blue F3GA filter rod. Ligand utilization efficiencies and breakthrough volumes were obtained for adsorption of HSA on the cibacron blue F3GA filter rod when the feed-rates were from 0.5 to 6 mL min⁻¹. In the affinity chromatography of human plasma the yield of human serum albumin was 1.27 g per 100 mL plasma.     

Electrochemistry and voltammetric determination of tannic acid on a single-wall carbon nanotube-coated glassy carbon electrode

The voltammetric behavior of tannic acid (TA) on a single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. TA can generate a well-defined anodic peak on the modified electrode at around 0.42 V (vs. SCE) in 0.10 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH = 4.0). The electrochemical reaction involves 1e transfer, accompanied by one proton. The electrode process is controlled by adsorption. The parameters affecting the response of TA, such as solution pH, accumulation time and accumulation potential are optimized for the determination of TA. Under the optimum conditions, the peak current changes linearly with the TA concentration in the range of 5.0 × 10⁻⁸–1.0 × 10⁻⁶ M. The lowest detectable concentration of TA is 8.0 × 10⁻⁹ M after 180 s accumulation. This method has been successfully applied to the determination of TA in tea and beer samples. In addition, the influence of potential interferents is examined. In the presence of bovine serum albumin, the peak current of TA decreases linearly due to the formation of a super-molecular complex.     

Interaction of Liposomal Formulations of Meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (Temoporfin) with Serum Proteins: Protein Binding and Liposome Destruction

mTHPC is a non polar photosensitizer used in photodynamic therapy. To improve its solubility and pharmacokinetic properties, liposomes were proposed as drug carriers. Binding of liposomal mTHPC to serum proteins and stability of drug carriers in serum are of major importance for PDT efficacy; however, neither was reported before. We studied drug binding to human serum proteins using size‐exclusion chromatography. Liposomes destruction in human serum was measured by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). Inclusion of mTHPC into conventional (Foslip^®) and PEGylated (Fospeg^®) liposomes does not affect equilibrium serum protein binding compared with solvent‐based mTHPC. At short incubation times the redistribution of mTHPC from Foslip^® and Fospeg^® proceeds by both drug release and liposomes destruction. At longer incubation times, the drug redistributes only by release. The release of mTHPC from PEGylated vesicles is delayed compared with conventional liposomes, alongside with greatly decreased liposomes destruction. Thus, for long‐circulation times the pharmacokinetic behavior of Fospeg^® could be influenced by a combination of protein‐ and liposome‐bound drug. The study highlights the modes of interaction of photosensitizer‐loaded nanovesicles in serum to predict optimal drug delivery and behavior in vivo in preclinical models, as well as the novel application of NTA to assess the destruction of liposomes.     

Studies of the interaction between apigenin and bovine serum albumin by spectroscopic methods

The interaction between apigenin (Ap) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in physiological buffer (pH = 7.4) is investigated by fluorescence quenching technique and UV-vis absorption spectra. The results reveal that Ap could strongly quench the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA. The quenching mechanism of Ap for BSA varies with the change of Ap concentration. when Ap concentration is lower, it is a static quenching procedure, when Ap concentration is higher, a combined quenching (both static and dynamic) would operate. The apparent binding constants Ka and number of binding sites n of Ap with BSA are obtained by fluorescence quenching method. The thermodynamic parameters, enthalpy change (Δ_r H ^m and entropy change (Δ_r S ^m ), are calculated to be −15.382 kJ mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ < 0 and 104.888 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ > 0, respectively, which indicate that the interaction of Ap with BSA is driven mainly by hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. The distance r between BSA and Ap is calculated to be 1.89 nm based on F?rster’s non-radiative energy transfer theory. The results of synchronous fluorescence spectra show that binding of Ap with BSA cannot induce conformational changes in BSA.     

Surface film pressure of β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin and bovine serum albumin at the air/water interface studied by wilhelmy plate and drop volume

The surface film pressure (II) of β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, and bovine serum albumin was studied in simulated milk ultrafiltrate (SMUF) and in water at concentrations from 10⁻⁶ up to 1% (w/v) at times from 30 s to 14 h and the results were analyzed with regard to adsorption transport and kinetics. In SMUF at low concentrations, β-lactoglobulin was the most “surface active” protein. There was little difference in the surface film pressure between β-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin at high concentrations. Bovine serum albumin showed the lowest surface activity, but did not reach a constant II, even after 14 h. As the pH approached the isoelectric point, the surface film pressure increased, and in the case of bovine serum albumin II increased faster. In water, however, the surface film pressures were lower than in SMUF, and for bovine serum albumin II developed more slowly. The transport to the interface was found to be controlled by diffusion only for a small concentration range of approximately 10⁻⁴%. It was controlled by initial flow disturbances at higher concentrations and free convection at lower concentrations. The rate of increase of the surface film pressure was not a simple function of surface film pressure and bulk concentration under any of the conditions studied.     

A laser light scattering study of the interaction between human serum albumin and ampicillin sodium

1 Introduction Studies on the interaction of the complexes formed between proteins and amphiphilic molecules in aque- ous solutions have become a new focus and great pro- gress has been made in recent years[1―5]. An under- standing of these systems is of great importance in many biological processes and clinical use of drugs. The globular anionic protein human serum albumin (HSA) is widely used as a protein model in many studies[1―4,6]. Its principal function is to transport fatty acids an…     

Determination of protein surface excess on a liquid/solid interface by single-molecule counting

Determination of protein surface excess is an important way of evaluating the properties of biomaterials and the characteristics of biosensors. A single-molecule counting method is presented that uses a standard fluorescence microscope to measure coverage of a liquid/solid interface by adsorbed proteins. The extremely low surface excess of lysozyme and bovine serum albumin (BSA), in a bulk concentration range from 0.3 nmol L⁻¹ (0.02 μg mL⁻¹) to 3 nmol L⁻¹ (0.2 μg mL⁻¹), were measured by recording the counts of spatially isolated single molecules on either hydrophilic (glass) or hydrophobic (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS) surfaces at different pH. The differences observed in amounts of adsorbed proteins under different experimental conditions can be qualitatively explained by the combined interactions of electrostatic and hydrophobic forces. This, in turn, implies that single-molecule counting is an effective way of measuring surface coverage at a liquid/solid interface. Figure Adsorption fraction of proteins on different surfaces changed with pH.