The effect of encapsulating oils on the phase behaviour and the microstructure of wormlike micelles formed by polyoxyethylene cholesteryl ether (ChEO10) and triethylene glycol monododecyl ether co-surfactant (C12EO3) was investigated using rheology, Cryo-TEM and small-angle neutron scattering measurements. Six alkyl ester oils bearing small, systematic variations in their molecular structure were encapsulated: ethyl butyrate (EB24), ethyl caproate (ECO26), ethyl caprylate (EC28), methyl enanthate (ME17), methyl caprylate (MC18) and butyl butyrate (BB44), where the subscripts refer to the length of the alkyl chain and fatty acid chain, respectively, on either sides of the ester link. The addition of alkyl ester oils to ChEO10/C12EO3 solutions promotes the longitudinal growth of the surfactant aggregates into wormlike micelles possessing an elliptical cross-section, with rminor 31 Â± 2 Ã… and rmajor varying from 45 to 70 Ã…. At fixed alkyl chain length, oils with longer fatty acid chains were found to be more efficient in inducing wormlike micelle formation or their elongation, following the order: EC28 > ECO26 > EB24. Instead, at fixed fatty acid chain length, increasing the alkyl chain has a negative effect on the longitudinal micellar growth (MC18 > EC28 and EB24 > BB44). At high co-surfactant concentrations and in the presence of EB24, an unusual phase of ring-like micelles was detected. Overall, the orientation of the oil molecules within the micelles enables them to act as co-surfactants with a small head-group, decreasing the average cross-section area and promoting longitudinal growth of the micelles into worms.
Phospholipids constitute biocompatible and safe excipients for pulmonary drug delivery. They can retard the drug release and, when PEGylated, also prolong the residence time in the lung. The aim of this work was to assess the structure and coherence of phospholipid coatings formed by spray drying on hydrophilic surfaces (silica microparticles) on the nanoscale and, in particular, the effect of addition of PEGylated lipids thereon. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of nanoparticles of varying sizes on the microparticles with different PEGylated lipid concentrations. Atomic force microscopy confirmed the presence of a lipid coating on the spray-dried microparticles. It also revealed that the lipid-coated microparticles without PEGylated lipids had a rather homogenous coating whereas those with PEGylated lipids had a very heterogeneous coating with defects, which was corroborated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. All coated microparticles had good dispersibility without agglomerate formation, as indicated by particle size measurements. This study has demonstrated that coherent coatings of phospholipids on hydrophilic surfaces can be obtained by spray drying. However, the incorporation of PEGylated lipids in a one-step spray-drying process to prepare lipid coated microparticles with both controlled-release and stealth properties is very challenging. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Adsorption and orientation properties of two different types of immunoglobulin molecules on derivatized and native mica surfaces were investigated using TM-AFM. The analyses included height measurements at two different pH values and a new technique, presented here as threshold analysis, which displays the outer mantle shape of an adsorbed protein. A major difference in preferential orientation is observed upon comparing the adsorption of the two proteins onto the different surfaces. The characteristics of both the adsorbed immunoglobulin and the surface are important for any preferential orientation of the adsorbed protein.
Critical micelle concentrations in mixtures of an anionic surfactant and a cationic amphiphilic drug have been investigated using a model-independent procedure to quantify observed synergistic effects. Experimental results were compared with a theory based on the Poisson-Boltzmann mean field approximation of a charged interface with a diffuse layer of counterions. Explicit expressions for the activity coefficients from which the critical micelle concentration can be calculated and quantitatively predicted have been derived and excellent agreement between experimental data and theory was obtained. As a result, we demonstrate that it is possible to rationalize and predict the magnitude of synergism in mixtures of oppositely charged surfactants in the presence of added salt.
Polysaccharides are known to modify binding of proteins at interfaces and this paper describes studies of these interactions and how they are modified by pH. Specifically, the adsorption of human serum albumin on to polystyrene latex and to silica is described, focusing on how this is affected by hyaluronan. Experiments were designed to test how such binding might be modified under relevant physiological conditions. Changes in adsorption of albumin alone and the co-adsorption of albumin and hyaluronan are driven by electrostatic interactions. Multilayer binding is found to be regulated by the pH of the solution and the molecular mass and concentration of hyaluronan. Highest adsorption was observed at pH below 4.8 and for low molecular mass hyaluronan (<= 150 kDa) at concentrations above 2 mg ml(-1). On silica with grafted hyaluronan, albumin absorption is reversed by changes in solvent pH due to their strong electrostatic attraction. Albumin physisorbed on silica surfaces is also rinsed away with dilute hyaluronan solution at pH 4.8. The results demonstrate that the protein adsorption can be controlled both by changes of pH and by interaction with other biological macromolecules.
Liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCNPs), e.g. cubosomes and hexosomes, are receiving more and more attraction as drug delivery vehicles. Dry powder formulation that forms LCNPs upon hydration can be advantageous to make new routes of administration accessible. In this work, we investigate use of three disaccharides (lactose, trehalose and sucrose) as protective matrices for glycerol monooleate based LCNP forming powders produced by freeze-drying. Phase behavior, particle size and size distributions at the different preparation steps were monitored by small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Particle appearance was imaged by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). Moreover, the therapeutic relevant antimicrobial peptide AP114 (plectasin derivative) was incorporated in the formulations. Peptide encapsulation and release as well as in vitro antibacterial effect were investigated. Results showed that all freeze-dried powders did form particles with liquid crystalline structure upon hydration. However, a phase transition from the bicontinuous cubic Pn3m to the reversed hexagonal was observed, as a consequence of sugar addition and the freeze-drying procedure. Data indicates that trehalose is the preferred choice of lyo-protectant in order to maintain a mono-modal particle size distribution. In addition, antimicrobial activity of AP114-containing formulations was found to be highest for the formulation containing trehalose. The release kinetics of AP114 from the nanoparticles was strongly affected by the dimensions of the hexagonal phase. Larger dimension of the hexagonal phase, significantly improved the release of AP114 and antimicrobial activity of the formulation.
In an effort to contribute to research in scalable production systems for polymeric delivery systems loaded with antimicrobial peptides (AMPS), we here investigate effects of hydrodynamic flow conditions on microfluidic particle generation. For this purpose, rapid prototyping using 3D printing was applied to prepare micromixers with three different geometric designs, which were used to prepare Ca2+-crosslinked alginate microgels loaded with the AMP polymyxin B in a continuous process. Based on fluid dynamic simulations, the hydrodynamic flow patterns in the micromixers were designed to be either (i) turbulent with chaotic disruption, (ii) laminar with convective mixing, or (iii) convective with microvortex formation. The physicochemical properties of the microgels prepared with these micromixers were characterized by photon correlation spectroscopy, laser-Doppler micro-electrophoresis, smallangle x-ray scattering, and ellipsometry. The particle size and compactness were found to depend on the micromixer geometry: From such studies, particle size and compactness were found to depend on micromixer geometry, the smallest and most compact particles were obtained by preparation involving microvortex flows, while larger and more diffuse microgels were formed upon laminar mixing. Polymyxin B was found to be localized in the particle interior and to cause particle growth with increasing peptide loading. Ca2+-induced cross-linking of alginate, in turn, results in particle contraction. The peptide encapsulation efficiency was found to be higher than 80% for all investigated micromixer designs; the highest encapsulation efficiency observed for the smallest particles generated by microvortexmediated self-assembly. Ellipsometry results for surface-immobilized microgels, as well as results on peptide encapsulation, demonstrated electrolyte-induced peptide release. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that rapid prototyping of microfluidics using 3D-printed micromixers offers promises for continuous manufacturing of AMP-loaded microgels. Although the micromixer combining turbulent flow and microvortexes was demonstrated to be the most efficient, all three micromixer designs were found to mediate self-assembly of small microgels displaying efficient peptide encapsulation. This demonstrates the robustness of employing 3D-printed micromixers for microfluidic assembly of AMP-loaded microgels during continuous production.
Hypothesis: Salivary pellicles i.e., thin films formed upon selective adsorption of saliva, protect oral surfaces against chemical and mechanical insults. Pellicles are also excellent aqueous lubricants. It is generally accepted that reconstituted pellicles have a two-layer structure, where the outer layer is mainly composed of MUC5B mucins. We hypothesized that by comparing the effect of ionic strength on reconstituted pellicles and MUC5B films we could gain further insight into the pellicle structure.
Experiments: Salivary pellicles and MUC5B films reconstituted on solid surfaces were investigated at different ionic strengths by Force Spectroscopy, Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation, Null Ellipsometry and Neutron Reflectometry.
Findings: Our results support the two-layer structure for reconstituted salivary pellicles. The outer layer swelled when ionic strength decreased, indicating a weak polyelectrolyte behavior. While initially the MUC5B films exhibited a similar tendency, this was followed by a drastic collapse indicating an interaction between exposed hydrophobic domains. This suggests that mucins in the pellicle outer layer form complexes with other salivary components that prevent this interaction. Lowering ionic strength below physiological values also led to a partial removal of the pellicle inner layer. Overall, our results highlight the importance that the interactions of mucins with other pellicle components play on their structure.
Membrane interactions are critical for the successful use of mesoporous silica nanoparticles as delivery systems for antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). In order to elucidate these, we here investigate effects of nanoparticle charge and porosity on AMP loading and release, as well as consequences of this for membrane interactions and antimicrobial effects. Anionic mesoporous silica particles were found to incorporate considerable amounts of the cationic AMP LLGDFFRKSKEKIGKEFKRIVQRIKDFLRNLVPRTES (LL-37), whereas loading is much lower for non-porous or positively charged silica nanoparticles. Due to preferential pore localization, anionic mesoporous particles, but not the other particles, protect LL-37 from degradation by infection-related proteases. For anionic mesoporous nanoparticles, membrane disruption is mediated almost exclusively by peptide release. In contrast, non-porous silica particles build up a resilient LL-37 surface coating due to their higher negative surface charge, and display largely particle-mediated membrane interactions and antimicrobial effects. For positively charged mesoporous silica nanoparticles, LL-37 incorporation promotes the membrane binding and disruption displayed by the particles in the absence of peptide, but also causes toxicity against human erythrocytes. Thus, the use of mesoporous silica nanoparticles as AMP delivery systems requires consideration of membrane interactions and selectivity of both free peptide and the peptide-loaded nanoparticles, the latter critically dependent on nanoparticle properties.
Chromium (Cr) in the form of Cr(VI) is deemed toxic in water due to its mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. For the successful removal of Cr(VI), we demonstrate a novel adsorbent consisting of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) functionalized with 3-Mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the functionalization of nanoparticles and presence of sulfonate groups. Batch adsorption experiments showed that the functionalized adsorbent recovered 45 mg of Cr(VI)/g of 3-MPA coated SPION at initial concentration of 50 mg/L aqueous solution at pH 1 with less than 1% of Fe dissolution from SPION. The results from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that Cr(VI) chemisorbed onto the adsorbent. Hence, the XPS spectra did not indicate any reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) upon adsorption. The adsorption data were better fitted for the Freundlich model. Moreover, the Cr(VI) adsorption kinetics on functionalized SPION followed a pseudo-second order rate, revealing chemisorption as the dominant mechanism. The high Cr(VI) removal, rapid adsorption kinetics and stability of adsorbent indicate that 3-MPA coated SPION could be an efficient adsorbent for the removal of Cr(VI). (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
The interaction between poly-L-lysine (pLys) and oppositely charged poly(acrylic acid) (pAA) microgels (Ø approximately 80-120 microm) was studied by micromanipulator-assisted light microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of peptide size, pH, and salt concentration on binding, transport, and distribution of pLys in pAA microgel particles and thereby also to outline the details of the gel deswelling in response to pLys binding and incorporation. Both peptide distribution and gel deswelling kinetics were found to be strongly influenced by the pLys molecular weight, originating partly from limited entry of large peptides into the gel particle core. Also pH was shown to influence both deswelling and pLys incorporation kinetics, with a decreased deswelling rate observed with increasing pH. These effects are determined by a complex interplay between the pH-dependence of both pLys and the gel network, also influencing volume transitions of the latter. Finally, salt concentration was shown to have a significant effect on both gel deswelling rate and pLys transport, with an increased electrolyte concentration resulting in decreased deswelling rate but also in an increased peptide transport rate within the microgel particles.
Hypothesis
Liposomes made of single-chain amphiphiles and a large amount of sterols display several advantages including a limited permeability. In the present paper, we examine the possibility to prepare such non-phospholipid liposomes with interfacial polyethylene glycol (PEG) in order to improve their circulation in the blood stream. Cholesterol (Chol) was chosen as the PEG anchor.
Experiments
The phase behavior of mixtures of palmitic acid (PA) and cholesterol including various proportions of PEGylated cholesterol (PEG-Chol) was characterized. In conditions leading to the formation of fluid bilayers, properties of the resulting liposomes were assessed.
Findings
Up to 20 mol% of PEGylated cholesterol could be introduced without significant perturbations in fluid bilayers made of PA and cholesterol. With 10 mol% PEG-Chol, PA/Chol/PEG-Chol liposomes showed a very limited permeability to calcein and doxorubicin. Doxorubicin could be actively loaded in PA/Chol/PEG-Chol liposomes with a high drug loading efficiency and a high drug to lipid ratio. Pharmaco-kinetic experiments in rats indicated that interfacial PEG reduced the clearance of PA/Chol liposomes compared to the naked ones. However the lifetime of these non-phospholipid liposomes in the blood circulation was considerably shorter than that observed for control PEGylated phospholipid liposomes, a phenomenon associated with the negative interfacial charge of the PA/Chol/PEG-Chol liposomes.
Background and aim: Membranes for guided bone regeneration should have a mechanical structure and a chemical composition suitable for mimicking biological structures. In this work, we pursue the develop- ment of periosteum-inspired bilayered membranes obtained by crosslinking alginate with different amounts of nanohydroxyapatite.
Experiments: Alginate-nanohydroxyapatite interaction was studied by rheology and infrared spectroscopy measurements. The membranes were characterized regarding their tensile strength, degrada- tion and surface morphology. Finally, cell cultures were performed on each side of the membranes.
Findings: The ionic bonding between alginate polysaccharide networks and nanohydroxyapatite was proven, and had a clear effect in the strength and microstructure of the hydrogels. Distinct surface charac- teristics were achieved on each side of the membranes, resulting in a highly porous fibrous side and a mineral-rich side with higher roughness and lower porosity. Moreover, the effect of amount of nanohydroxyapatite was reflected in a decrease of the membranes’ plasticity and an increment of degradation rate. Finally, it was proved that osteoblast-like cells proliferated and differentiated on the mineral-rich side, specially when a higher amount of nanohydroxyapatite was used, whereas fibroblasts-like cells were able to proliferate on the fibrous side. These periosteum-inspired membranes are promising biomaterials for guided tissue regeneration applications.
The aim of this study was to add to the range of charged surfactants that can be used to form catanionic aggregates with oppositely charged surface active drug substances, and to apply these aggregates to prolong drug release from gels. The surfactants used in this study, lauric and capric acids are of natural origin-unlike traditionally used, synthetic, surfactants. The mixtures of drug substances and oppositely charged surfactants were studied visually and with cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. Drug release from gels was studied with a modified USP paddle method. This study shows that lauric and capric acids are as, or even more, active in forming catanionic aggregates than traditionally used surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate. It is shown that the length of the hydrophobic part of the surfactant plays an important role in the formation of pharmaceutically interesting catanionic aggregates. As seen in previous studies, using catanionic vesicles prolongs the drug release from gels and decreases the apparent diffusion coefficient by a factor of 10-50, compared to a gel containing only drug substance.
Hypothesis: Common amphiphilic drug molecules often have a more rigid nonpolar part than conventional surfactants. The rigidity is expected to influence the self-assembling properties and possibly give rise to aggregation patterns different from that of regular surfactants.
Experiments: We have investigated self-assembling properties of the hydrochloride salts of adiphenine (ADP), pavatrine (PVT), and amitriptyline (AMT) at concentrations up to 50 wt% using small-angle x-ray scattering, dynamic light scattering, cryo-transmission electron microscopy, and surface tension measurements.
Findings: All drugs form small micelles of oblate spheroidal shape at concentrations above the critical micelle concentrations (CMC). The micelles grow weakly in size up to about 20 wt%, where the aggregation number reaches a maximum followed by a slight decrease in size at higher drug concentrations. We observe a correlation between the decrease in micelle size at high concentrations and an increasing charge of the micelles, as the degree of ionization increases with increasing drug concentration and decreasing pH. In contrast to what has previously been reported, the aggregation behavior of all studied drugs resembles the closed association behavior of conventional surfactants with a short aliphatic chain as hydrophobic tail group i.e. the micelles are always small in size and lack a second CMC. CMC values were determined with surface tension measurements, including also lidocaine hydrochloride (LDC) and chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CHL).
The adsorption profile and viscoelastic properties of bovine submaxillary gland mucin (BSM) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), extracted from a commercial mucin preparation, adsorbing to polystyrene surfaces has been studied using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). A significant difference in the adsorption properties of the different proteins was detected; with the BSA adsorbing in a flat rigid layer whilst the mucin adsorbed in a diffuse, highly viscoelastic layer. Subsequent addition of BSA to the preadsorbed mucin layer resulted in stiffening of the protein layer which was attributed to complexation of the mucin by BSA. In contrast, a preadsorbed layer of BSA prevented mucin adsorption altogether. Combined mixtures of mucin and BSA in well defined ratios revealed intermediate properties between the two separate protein species which varied systematically with the protein ratios. The results shed light on the synergistic effects of complexation of lower molecular weight biomolecular species with mucin. The possibility to selectively control protein uptake and tailor the physical properties of the adsorbed layer makes mucin an attractive option for application in biomaterial coatings.
The effect of hydrophobic and hydrophilic co-solutes on the theological properties of wormlike micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium salicylate (NaSal) or sodium bromide (NaBr) was investigated. Monomeric (ethanol, 2-propanol, benzene and benzylic alcohol) and polymeric species (poly(ethylene oxide), poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(propylene oxide), respectively PEO, PVA and PPO) of varying molecular weight were studied in order to assess the effect of co-solute 'length' on the interactions with the wormlike micelles. Rheological properties were characterised by the plateau modulus G(0) and the relaxation time tau(R) obtained from fits to the Maxwell model, and by the zero-shear viscosity eta(0). The rheological properties were unaltered by the addition of all hydrophilic solutes (up to 20 mM). With hydrophobic co-solutes instead, both eta(0) and tau(R) decreased considerably, while Go was unaffected. The effects were particularly remarkable with PPO for concentrations as low as 5 mM (ca. 0.3 g L-1), and tau(R) was seen to follow an exponential decrease with polymer M-w. The effect of the aromatic solutes (benzene and benzyl alcohol) on the rheology was highly dependent on the counterions used to induce micellar growth (Sal(-) or Br-), revealing a different type of interaction. Surprisingly, small-angle neutron scattering and Cryo-TEM measurements showed that the drastic changes observed in the rheology were not correlated to any visible structural change. Therefore the strong decrease in viscosity and relaxation time are to be attributed to other mechanisms than micellar break-up or rod-to-sphere transition.
Hypothesis: Endogenous Amorphous Magnesium-Calcium Phosphates (AMCPs) form in the human body and, besides their biomedical implications, the development of effective stabilization strategies is an open challenge. An interesting approach consists of stabilizing amorphous phosphates with macromolecules that have beneficial effects from a nutritional/medical point of view, for a potential application of the hybrid particles in nutraceutics or drug delivery.
Experimental: We investigated the effect of proteins extracted from Moringa oleifera seeds (MO) on the features of synthetic analogs of AMCPs and on their crystallization pathway. The stability of the amorphous phase was studied using infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. To unravel the effect of the protein on the nano-scale structure of the inorganic particles, we also studied how MO affects the features of the amorphous phase using thermal analysis, small angle X-ray scattering and confocal Raman microscopy.
Findings: We observed that MO markedly delays the transition from amorphous to crystalline phosphate in a concentration-dependent fashion. Interestingly, MO not only enhances the lifetime of the amorphous phase, but also influences the type and amount of crystalline material formed. The results are relevant from both a fundamental and an applied perspective, paving the way for the use of these hybrids in the field of nutraceutics and drug delivery.
The in vivo efficacy and tolerance of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-decorated drug nanocarriers, such as liposomes, is compromised by their tendency to induce the generation of PEG-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. Recently, a number of independent studies have reported on an attenuated anti-PEG immune response upon incorporation of gangliosides in the membrane of PEGylated liposomes. In the present study we investigate the effect of gangliosides on the self-assembled structures found in lipid dispersions based on hydrogenated egg phosphatidylcholine (HEPC), cholesterol and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethyleneglycol)-2000] (DSPE-PEG(2000)). Results from cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) investigations show that gangliosides promote structural transitions from liposomes to bilayer disks. In case of samples comprising 5 mol% PEG-conjugated lipids (PEG-lipid), inclusion of 2.5 mol% ganglioside (porcine ganglioside extract) results in the presence of a small but significant amount of disks. With increasing ganglioside content the population of disks grows at the expense of the liposomes. Comparative investigations using isolated ganglioside components reveal that disialoganglioside GD1a is more potent than monosialoganglioside GM1 in promoting disk formation. Experiments involving liposome encapsulated carboxyfluorescein confirm that the ganglioside-induced structural transformations have a detrimental effect on the total entrapped aqueous volume of the samples. The reported coexistence of liposomes and bilayer disks may if overlooked have important implications for the therapeutic efficacy and immunogenicity of ganglioside-supplemented liposomal formulations.
A simple thermodynamic theory is presented for water swollen complex salts formed by ionic surfactant and oppositely charged polyions. The description takes into account, on approximate level, free energy contributions from attractive and repulsive polyion-mediated interactions between the micelles, the mixing of micelles, polyion chains and water, and the hydrophobic effect. Explicit expressions for the chemical potentials of water, polyion, and surfactant ion are derived and used to calculate phase diagrams at various degrees of polymerization and linear charge density of the polyion and for surfactants with 12 and 16 carbons in the tail group. In all calculations the aggregation number is optimized and the phase structure (disordered or fcc) is determined. The effect of varying the charge densities of spheres interacting with a cross-linked polyion network is also investigated. Results from theory are compared with experimental and Monte Carlo simulation data reported in the literature.
The single-crystal Ni-rich Li(NixCoyMn1_x_y)O-2 cathode (NCM) demonstrates better cycle performance, enhanced tap density and improved mechanical structure stability, compared with polycrystalline NCM. However, limited Li+ transports, (003) plane slips and microcracks in large single particles hinder rate capability and cycle performance. To overcome these shortcomings, single-crystal NCM cathodes have been modified by nanosized tetragonal BaTiO3. Due to the dielectric properties, BaTiO(3 )particles induce electric field concentration at the BaTiO3-NCM-electrolyte interface. Thus, a large amount of lithium vacancies can be formed, providing sufficient sites for the hopping diffusion of lithium ions, thereby significantly enhancing the diffusion coefficient of Li+. Moreover, the redistribution of charges can inhibit the formation and accumulation of cathode-electrolyte-interface. Owing to the synergetic effect of BaTiO3, the BT-modified single-crystal NCM with the optimized loading shows a remarkable initial discharge capacity of 138.5 mAh g(_1) and maintains 53.8% of its initial discharge capacity after 100 cycles under 5C at 4.5 V cut-off voltage. Overall, the proposed dielectric cathode-electrolyte-interface strategy can enhance Li+ ion transport and stabilize the interface structure, leading to improved rate performance. Meanwhile, the diffusion-induced state of charge gradient can also be inhibited, resulting in high structure stability of single-crystal NCMs under high rate and cut-off voltage cycling. (C) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Pharmaceutical formulation of oral dosage forms is continuously challenged by the low solubility of new drug candidates. Pickering emulsions, emulsions stabilized with solid particles, are a promising alternative to surfactants for developing long-term stable emulsions that can be tailored for controlled release of lipophilic drugs. In this work, a non-emulsifying lipid-based formulation (LBF) loaded with fenofibrate was formulated into an oilin-water (O/W) emulsion synergistically stabilized by stearic acid and silica (SiO2) nanoparticles. The emulsion had a droplet size of 341 nm with SiO2 particles partially covering the oil-water interface. In vitro lipid digestion was faster for the emulsion compared to the corresponding LBF due to the larger total surface area available for digestion. Cellulose biopolymers were added to the emulsion to produce a gel for semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing into tablets. The emulsion gel showed suitable rheological attributes for SSE, with a trend of higher viscosity, yield stress, and storage modulus (G & PRIME;), compared to a conventional self-emulsifying lipid-based emulsion gel. The developed emulsion gel allows for a non-emulsifying LBF to be transformed into solid dosage forms for rapid lipid digestion and drug release of a poorly water-soluble drug in the small intestine.
The interaction between lysozyme and colloidal poly(NIPAM-co-acrylic acid) microgels is investigated in aqueous solutions at neutral pH. Lysozyme binding isotherms, obtained within the ionic strength range 10-220 mM, indicate that the maximum uptake at 10 mM is 2.4 g lysozyme per gram dry gel, and that the uptake capacity decreases with increasing ionic strength to approximately 0 at 220 mM. Swelling isotherms, obtained from photon correlation spectroscopy measurements, show that the binding is accompanied by a substantial deswelling of the microgels. The microgel suspension is stable up to a protein-to-polymer charge ratio in the microgels of about 0.6, largely independent of ionic strength, whereas flocculation/sedimentation occurs at higher charge ratios. The charge ratio 0.6 corresponds to a zeta-potential of about -6 mV, as obtained from measurements of electrophoretic mobility. Binding and swelling isotherms are analyzed in detail and compared with predictions of theoretical model calculations. The influence of protein-protein attraction is highlighted, as well as the interplay between electrostatic interactions and network elasticity.
The interaction between lysozyme and oppositely charged poly(acrylic acid) microgels was investigated by micromanipulator-assisted light microscopy, confocal microscopy and circular dichroism. Lysozyme uptake and distribution within the microgel particles, and its effect on microgel deswelling, was studied regarding effects of pH, ionic strength and lysozyme concentration. For a range of conditions, lysozyme distributes nonuniformly within the microgels, forming a lysozyme/microgel shell in the outer parts of the microgel. This shell formation is associated both with increased lysozyme loading to the microgels and with increased lysozyme-induced microgel deswelling. At high microgel charge density, the shell formation displays nonmonotonic ionic strength dependence. The shells formed are characterized by a net positive charge, and by relatively fast exchange of lysozyme between shell and solution, although the exchange kinetics decreases strongly with decreasing ionic strength. At conditions of slower exchange kinetics, the shells are characterized by an effective pore size of less than about 4 nm.
Three bentonites of varying smectite content were investigated by dielectric spectroscopy in the frequency range 10(-4) to 10(6)Hz after storage at well-defined humidities. The identification of relaxation processes from complex permittivity measurements was difficult, since conductivity effects were superimposed on the underlying relaxations. Relaxation peaks revealed by the dissipation factor indicated the occurrence of interfacial processes between 10(2) and 10(6) Hz. The intensity of the polarization of the electrochemical double-layer at the clay-water interface was promoted by increasing water content and was shifted to higher frequencies the higher the water content in the bentonites. Below ∼1Hz, electrode polarization (EP) was shown to be a participating process with capacitance values ranging from 0.6(*)10(-3) to 7.3(*)10(-3)F due to the accumulated charges. An equivalent circuit model was introduced that successfully described the low-frequency dielectric behavior of bentonites at low moisture levels. An included series R-CPE connection was used to describe the double-layer relaxation. At water contents up to 17%, the bulk resistivity was mainly influenced by smectite content and cation exchange capacity, whereas at water contents of ⩾19%, interlayer occupation and hydration state became more important.
Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryoTEM) was used to study the structures formed in mixts. of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) in dil. aq. solns. with 0-300 mM NaBr. The DTAB mole fraction, X, was in the range 0.2-0.4, limited at 25 DegC by pptn. of solid DTA-DS at X = 0.38 without salt to X = 0.25 at 300 mM NaBr. At a total surfactant concn. of 100 mM the samples sepd. into two liq. phases (the bottom phase birefringent) within a narrow (+-0.01 mol fraction units) compn. range. At the mid-point X varied from 0.32 without salt to 0.22 at 300 mM NaBr. Elemental anal. of C, S, O, and N in the sepd. phases of a sample with 100 mM NaBr and X = 0.26 showed the top phase to contain almost only SDS at a low concn., 14 mM, and the bottom phase 175 mM total surfactant, with X = 0.27 . Elemental anal. on samples without added salt gave erratic results, indicating problems in the phys. sepn. of the phases. The cryoTEM survey of the sepd. phases revealed similar problems. Without salt both phases showed similar structures, whereas the top phase in the sample with added salt was void of structures larger than small micelles. The cryoTEM survey revealed a variety of structures being simultaneously present in most samples. A general trend with increasing X was an evolution from globular micelles, over disks, bands, branched bands transforming into sparse webs, perforated bilayer structures, and finally smooth bilayers. Increasing salt and total surfactant concns. resulted in the emergence of structures with smaller mean curvature at lower X. Perforated bilayers were found in samples with 100 mM or less of added salt, and usually persisted to DTAB contents where ppts. appeared. The porous bilayers seemed to derive from sparse webs of band-like structures, and the hole size decreased with increasing X and salt concn. Two types of recurrent structures were noticed: blastula aggregates, seemingly an intermediate structure transforming crumpled bilayers into vesicles of similar size (diam. 400-500 ANG.), obsd. over a broad range of conditions, and at 100 mM total surfactant concn. and 50 mM added salt or more a type of regular disks with a diam. of 180 +- 30 ANG.
The paper describes the adsorption of purified protein from seeds of Moringa olelfera to a sapphire interface and the effects of addition of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecylsulfate (SOS) and the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Neutron reflection was used to determine the structure and composition of interfacial layers adsorbed at the solid/solution interface. The maximum surface excess of protein was found to be about 5.3 mg m(-2). The protein does not desorb from the solid/liquid interface when rinsed with water. Addition of SDS increases the reflectivity indicating co-adsorption. It was observed that CTAB is able to remove the protein from the interface. The distinct differences to the behavior observed previously for the protein at the silica/water interface are identified. The adsorption of the protein to alumina in addition to other surfaces has shown why it is an effective flocculating agent for the range of impurities found in water supplies. The ability to tailor different surface layers in combination with various surfactants also offers the potential for adsorbed protein to be used in separation technologies.
Studies with a model system consisting of polystyrene latex particles showed that the protein from seeds of Moringa trees adsorbs to the surface and causes flocculation as unusually dense aggregates. In this study, electrolytes sodium chloride (NaCI), ferric chloride (FeCl3) and aluminium sulfate (Al-2(SO4)(3)) have been used to aggregate model polystyrene particles. The study augments previous work using neutron scattering on the flocculation of polystyrene latex with protein from seeds of Moringa trees that had indicated higher floc dimension, df, values as the concentration of particles increased. The measurements were made using ultra small-angle neutron scattering. Generally the fractal dimension, and thus the floc density, increased with particle concentration and salt concentration. Flocculation was apparent at much lower concentrations of FeCl3 and Al-2(SO4)(3) than of NaCI. The values of df were found not to simply scale with ionic strength for the three electrolytes studied with FeCl3 being the most effective flocculating agent.
Montmorillonite (Mt) clays have a high specific surface area and surface charge, which confer them remarkable adsorption properties. Nevertheless, their electrochemical and aggregation behavior are not completely elucidated because of the complexity of their microstructural and interfacial properties. In this work, the conductive and dispersive properties of Na-Mt suspensions of weight fractions 0.5-5.2% were investigated for the first time using the spectral induced polarization method. A four-electrode system was used to reduce errors introduced by electrode polarization and contact resistances. Complex conductivity spectra in the low-frequency range of 0.1 Hz to 45 kHz were successfully described using a triple layer model of the basal surface of Mt and a complex conductivity model that considers conduction of the diffuse layer and polarization of the Stern layer. Aggregate size distributions were inferred from inverted relaxation time distributions. We found that the negative and permanent surface charge of the basal plane of Na-Mt controls its quadrature (imaginary) conductivity, which is not very sensitive to pH and salinity (NaCI) in the 100 Hz to 45 kHz frequency range. For lower frequencies, the sudden increase of the quadrature conductivity at the highest salinities was explained by considering coagulation of Na-Mt particles.
The adsorption of the anionic surfactants, lithium, sodium and cesium dodecylsulfates, and sodium decylsulfonate, on the positively charged C-plane (0001) of sapphire (alumina) has been measured using neutron reflection. For each of the four surfactants there is a strong maximum in the adsorption at about the critical micelle concentration. The maximum becomes more marked from lithium to cesium. The measurements were reproduced over a range of different physical conditions and could not be accounted for in terms of impurities. The maximum is explained quantitatively by using the combination of a mass action model to calculate the mean activity of the surfactant, and a cooperative model of the adsorption (Frumkin), in which saturation of the layer is not attained until well above the critical micelle concentration.
The adsorption of the non-ionic surfactants tetraoxyethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C12EO4), pentaoxyethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C12EO5), and hexaoxyethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C12EO6) to single crystal sapphire substrates has been studied using specular neutron reflection for solutions at the critical micelle concentration. The effects of temperature and pH of the solutions were studied as well as the differences between two different crystal faces, the C and the R planes. At neutral pH, significant adsorption was only observed when the temperature was raised above the cloud temperature. This adsorption was reversible and surfactant was displaced on cooling. Reducing the pH to 3 results in significantly increased adsorption of C12EO5 at 25 degrees C with a central layer consisting mainly of surfactant (about 90%) on the C-plane substrate. A slightly smaller surface excess was observed for the R-plane. This contrasts with the significantly lower density observed even at high temperatures at neutral pH on both substrates. The results suggest that for neutral solutions surfactant association above the cloud point is the primary driving force for adsorption. At low pH, specific interactions with protonated surfaces are important. The structures of the highly hydrated layers are similar to those found for the surfactants at hydrophilic silica surfaces.
The role of ionic interactions between sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS, and sapphire surfaces have been studied using specular neutron reflection to determine the structure and composition of adsorbed surfactant layers. Increasing the pH of the solution from 3 to 9 reduces the adsorption by reversing the charge of the alumina. This occurs at lower pH for the R-plane (1 (1) over bar 02) than the C-plane (0001), corresponding to the different points of zero charge. The largest surface excess is about 6.5 mu mol m(-2), the thickness of the adsorbed layer is about 24 angstrom and it contains roughly 20% water. The hydrocarbon tails of the surfactant molecules clearly interpenetrate rather than form an ordered bilayer. The structure is similar in either pure water or in 0.1 M NaCl when the surfactant is at the respective critical micelle concentration. Different structures were seen with lithium and cesium dodecyl sulfate. The CsDS forms dense layers with little or no hydration and a surface excess of about 10.5 mu mol m(-2). The metal cation strongly influences the hydration of the adsorbed surfactant. An overall picture of 'flattened micelles' for the structure of the adsorbed layer is observed.
The structure and interaction of ionic liquids (ILs) influence their interfacial composition, and their arrangement (i.e., electric double-layer (EDL) structure), can be controlled by an electric field. Here, we employed a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to study the electrical response of two non-halogenated phosphonium orthoborate ILs, dissolved in a polar solvent at the interface. The response is influenced by the applied voltage, the structure of the ions, and the solvent polarizability. One IL showed anomalous electro-responsivity, suggesting a self -assembly bilayer structure of the IL cation at the gold interface, which transitions to a typical EDL structure at higher positive potential. Neutron reflectivity (NR) confirmed this interfacial structuring and compositional changes at the electrified gold surface. A cation-dominated self-assembly structure is observed for negative and neutral voltages, which abruptly transitions to an anion-rich interfacial layer at positive voltages. An interphase transition explains the electro-responsive behaviour of self-assembling IL/carrier systems, pertinent for ILs in advanced tribological and electrochemical contexts.
The crystallization process in aqueous solutions of the drug bicalutamide and the effect of the polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) have been studied. Results show that PVP decreased the crystallization rate significantly in a system with PVP concentrations as low as 0.01% (w/w), without changing the polymorph formed. The crystal habit was changed already at PVP concentrations as low as 0.001% (w/w). Measurements made with self-diffusion NMR indicated that the decrease in crystallization rate was not because of a reduced supersaturation due to bicalutamide binding to PVP in solution. Furthermore, in experiments designed to specifically study crystal nucleation, the same nucleation rate was found in the absence and presence of PVP. Instead, PVP adsorbes to the crystals formed in solution and by doing so, the crystal growth rate is reduced. This was confirmed in separate experiments using bicalutamide nanocrystals. By combining theories describing classical nucleation and crystal growth, with some modifications, a consistent description of several independent experiments performed in polymer-free systems was obtained. From these experiments a crystal-water interfacial tension of 22.1 mN/m was extracted. We also analyze the interfacial tension of other crystalline organic solids and find that it varies approximately as the logarithm of the solubility. This finding is discussed within the framework of the Bragg-Williams regular solution theory where we also compare with the tension of liquid alkanes.
Combined dynamic and static light scattering (DLS, SLS) and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) were used to investigate extruded cationic vesicles of dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride and bromide (DODAX, X being Cl- or Br-). In salt-free dispersions the mean hydrodynamic diam., D h , and the wt. av. mol. wt., M w , are larger for DODAB than for DODAC vesicles, and both D h and M w increase with the diam. (f) of the extrusion filter. NaCl (NaBr) decreases (increases) the DODAB (DODAC) vesicle size, reflecting the general trend of DODAB to assemble as larger vesicles than DODAC. The polydispersity index is lower than 0.25, indicating the dispersions are rather polydisperse. Cryo-TEM micrographs show that the smaller vesicles are spherical while the larger ones are oblong or faceted, and the vesicle samples are fairly polydisperse in size and morphol. They also indicate that the vesicle size increases with f and DODAB assembles as larger vesicles than DODAC. Lens-shaped vesicles were obsd. in the extruded prepns. Both light scattering and cryo-TEM indicate that the vesicle size is larger or smaller than f when f is smaller or larger than the optimal f * ~ 200 nm .
The effect of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as impurity in a commercial bovine submaxillary gland mucin preparation (BSM; Sigma M3895) on the adsorption of BSM to hydrophilic surfaces (mica and silica) has been Studied in terms of adsorption kinetics, amount and structure of the formed adlayer. The Surface Force Apparatus (SFA) was used to gain information about the extended and compressed structure of adsorbed "as received" BSM, purified BSM, BSA extracted from the "as received" BSM and mixtures of the latter Purified proteins. The adsorbed amount was estimated using a combination of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA), Enzyme-Linked Lectin Assay (ELLA), Dual Polarization Interferometry (DPI) and Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM-D) measurements. Under the used conditions, purified BSM showed very low affinity for silica and only small amounts were found to adsorb on mica. Initially, the BSM molecules adopted an extended conformation on the mica surface with tails extending into the bulk phase. These tails were irreversibly compressed into a very thin (10 A) layer upon applying a high load. "As received" BSM formed considerably thicker Compressed layers (35 A); however, the extended layer structure was qualitatively the same. When Mixtures of purified BSM and BSA were coadsorbed on mica, a 9 wt-% albumin content gave a comparable layer thickness as the "as received" BSM and from XPS data we draw the conclusion that the albumin content in the layer adsorbed from "as received" BSM was approximately 5 wt-%. Adsorption from an equal amount of BSM and BSA revealed that even though the amount of BSM is scarce in the mixed layer, the few BSM molecules have a drastic effect on the adsorbed thickness and Structure. Clearly, this study shows the importance of characterizing the mucin used since differences in purity give rise to different adsorption behaviours in terms of both adsorbed amount and layer Structure. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
The room and low-temperature performances of solid-state lithium batteries are crucial to expand their practical application. Polyethylene oxide (PEO) has received great attention as the most representative polymer electrolyte matrix. However, most PEO-based solid-state batteries need to operate at high temperature due to low room temperature ionic conductivity. Improving the ionic conductivity by adding plasticizers or reducing the crystallinity of PEO often compromises its mechanical strength. Here, an amorphous PEO-based composite solid-state electrolyte is obtained by ultraviolet (UV) polymerizing PEO and methacryloyloxypropyltrimethoxy silane (KH570)-modified SiO2 which demonstrates both satisfactory mechanical performance and high ionic conductivity at room (3.37 x 10(-4) S cm(-1)) and low temperatures (1.73 x 10(-4) S cm(-1) at 0 degrees C). In this electrolyte, the crystallinity of PEO is reduced through cross-linking, and therefore provides a fast Li+ ions transfer area. Moreover, the KH570-modified SiO2 inorganic particles promote the dissociation of lithium salts by Lewis acid centers to increase the ionic conductivity. Importantly, this kind of cross-linking networks endows the final electrolyte much higher mechanical strength than the pure PEO polymer electrolyte or PEO-inorganic filler blended systems. The solid-state LiFePO4/Li cell assembled with this electrolyte exhibits excellent cycling performance and high capacity at room and low temperatures.
Effects of size and charge of anionic nanoclays on their interactions with bacteria-mimicking lipid membranes, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and Gram-negative bacteria were investigated using ellipsometry, dynamic light scattering, ζ-potential measurements, and confocal microscopy combined with Live/Dead staining. Based on particle size and charge density, three different anionic hectorite nanoclays were employed, and investigated in the presence and absence of the net cationic human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 (LLGDFFRKSKEKIGKEFKRIVQRIKDFLRNLVPRTES). In the absence of this peptide, the nanoclays were found not to bind to similarly anionic bacteria-mimicking model phospholipid membranes, nor to destabilize these. Similarly, while all nanoclays induced aggregation of Escherichia coli bacteria, the flocculated bacteria remained alive after aggregation. In contrast, LL-37 alone, i.e. in the absence of nanoclay particles, displays antimicrobial properties through membrane lysis, but does not cause bacterial aggregation in the concentration range investigated. After loading the nanoclays with LL-37, potent bacterial aggregation combined with bacterial membrane lysis was observed for all nanoclay sizes and charge densities. Demonstrating the potential of these combined systems for confinement of infection, LPS-induced NF-κB activation in human monocytes was found to be strongly suppressed after nanoclay-mediated aggregation, with a wide tolerance for nanoparticle size and charge density.
The adsorption of C3 at poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(styrene) (PS) surfaces was investigated within situellipsometry and compared to that at (hydrophilic and negatively charged) silica and (hydrophobic) methylated silica. The adsorption of C3 at PMMA was higher than that at PS, while the adsorbed layer thickness was the same for the two surfaces. For both PMMA and PS the adsorbed layer thickness (10 ± 2 nm) corresponds rather closely to that of end-on oriented C3 molecules. The adsorption of C3 at PMMA and PS was found to be intermediate between that at silica and methylated silica, although the adsorbed layer thickness was similar for all surfaces. The competitive adsorption among C3, human serum albumin (HSA), and factor B was investigated with ellipsometry and total internal reflection fluorescence spectroscopy (TIRF). Addition of HSA after C3 preadsorption resulted in fractional C3 desorption for both PMMA and PS. Factor B deposition at PS after preadsorption of C3 and blocking with HSA was found to be largely due to specific binding to C3/C3b, while in the case of PMMA, factor B was largely accumulated through passive (displacement) adsorption.
This contribution reports on the interaction of ss-polynucleotides of various length and sequence with liposomal dispersions of anionic lipids. No appreciable structural and morphological variations were detected for POPG (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-glycerol) liposomes, as expected from the high negative charge density both of liposomal surface and of the poly or oligonucleotide. Conversely, when similarly charged POPN nucleolipids (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidyl-nucleosides) were used, meaningful differences could be observed both on size and morphology of the mixed aggregates. The comparison with POPG/nucleic acids mixed systems points to the conclusion that the driving force for association of nucleolipid liposomes with nucleic acids can be ascribed to selective interactions at the polar head level which overcome electrostatic repulsion. Dynamic light scattering, Cryo-TEM and circular dichroism provided an ensemble of results where an interesting dependence on the polynucleotide base nature and contour length emerges. The extent of interaction can be modulated, in terms of size of the complexes, by choice of background buffer, ionic strength and polynucleotide length.
Lipodisks are nanosized flat, circular, phospholipid bilayers that are edge-stabilized by polyethylene glycol-conjugated lipids (PEG-lipids). Over the last decade, lipodisks stabilized with PEG of molecular weight 2000 or 5000 have been shown to hold high potential as both biomimetic membranes and drug carriers. In this study we investigate the possibilities to optimize the properties of the lipodisks, and widen their applicability, by reducing the PEG molecular weight and/or the density of the PEG corona. Results obtained by cryo-transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering show that stable, well-defined lipodisks can be produced from mixtures of distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) and distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine conjugated to PEG of molecular weight 1000 (DSPE-PEG(1000)). Preparations based on the use of DSPE-PEG(750) tend, in contrast, to be polydisperse in size and structure. By comparing immobilization of lipodisks stabilized with DSPE-PEG(1000), DSPE-PEG(2000), and DSPE-PEG(5000) to porous and smooth silica surfaces, we show that the amount of surface bound disks can be considerably improved by the use of PEG-lipids with reduced molecular weight. Further, a modified preparation protocol that enables production of lipodisks with very low PEG-lipid content is described. The reduced PEG density, which facilitates the incorporation of externally added ligand-linked PEG-lipids, is shown to be beneficial for the production of targeting lipodisks.
Seed extracts from Moringa oleifera are of wide interest for use in water purification where they can play an important role in flocculation; they also have potential as anti-microbial agents. Previous work has focused on the crude protein extract. Here we describe the detailed biophysical characterization of individual proteins from these seeds. The results provide new insights relating to the active compounds involved. One fraction, designated Mo-CBP3, has been characterized at a molecular level using a range of biochemical and biophysical techniques including liquid chromatography, X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry, and neutron reflection. The interfacial behavior is of particular interest in considering water purification applications and interactions with both charged (e.g. silica) and uncharged (alumina) surfaces were studied. The reflection studies show that, in marked contrast to the crude extract, only a single layer of the purified Mo-CBP3 binds to a silica interface and that there is no binding to an alumina interface. These observations are consistent with the crystallographic structure of Mo-CBP3-4, which is one of the main isoforms of the Mo-CBP3 fraction. The results are put in context of previous studies of the properties of the crude extract. This work shows possible routes to development of separation processes that would be based on the specific properties of individual proteins.
Adsorption of trimethyl phosphate (TMP) and triethyl phosphate (TEP) on well-characterized nanoparticles of hematite (α-Fe2O3), maghemite (γ-Fe2O3), and goethite (α-FeOOH) has been studied by in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), 2D correlation DRIFTS analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) on dry and water pre-covered surfaces. It is shown that, at room temperature and low coverage, both TMP and TEP coordinate to Lewis acid Fe sites through the O phosphoryl atom on hematite and maghemite, while hydrogen bonding to Brønstedt acid surface OH groups dominates on goethite. At room temperature, slow dissociation of TMP occurs on the iron (hydr)oxide nanoparticles, whereby a methoxy group is displaced to form surface methoxy, leaving adsorbed dimethyl phosphate (DMP). Methoxy is further decomposed to formate, suggesting an oxidative degradation pathway in synthetic air on the oxide particles. Relatively, larger amounts of DMP and surface methoxy form on maghemite, while more formate is produced on hematite. Upon TMP adsorption on dry goethite nanoparticles, no oxidation surface products were detected. Instead, a slow TMP hydrolysis pathway is observed, yielding orthophosphate. It is found that pre-adsorbed water stimulates the hydrolysis of TMP. In contrast to TMP, TEP adsorbs molecularly on all iron hydr(oxide) nanoparticles. This is attributed to the longer aliphatic chain, which stabilizes the loss of charge on the methoxy CO bonds by charge redistribution upon phosphoryl O coordination to Fe surface atoms. The presented results implicate different reactivity depending on specific molecular structure of the organophosphorus compound (larger functional groups can compensate loss of charge due to surface coordination) and iron (hydr)oxide surface structure (exposing Lewis acid or Brønstedt acid sites).
The deswelling kinetics of macroscopic polyacrylate (PA) gels in solutions of dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C(12)TAB) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (C(16)TAB), with and without added sodium bromide, as well as hyaluronate (HA) gels in solutions of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) are investigated. Additional data are also provided by small-angle X-ray scattering and microgel experiments. The purpose is to study the deswelling behavior of (1) regularly deswelling gels, for which the deswelling is successfully described using a core/shell model earlier employed for microgels, and (2) irregularly deswelling gels, where the gel turns into a balloon-like structure with a dense outer layer surrounding a liquid-filled core. For regularly deswelling gets, the deswelling of PA/C(12)TAB is found to be controlled by diffusion through both stagnant layer and collapsed surface phase, while for PA/C(16)TAB it is found to be controlled mainly by the latter. The difference in deswelling rate between the two is found to correspond to the difference in surfactant diffusion coefficient in the surface phase. Factors found to promote irregular deswelling, described as balloon formation, are rapid surfactant binding, high bromide and surfactant concentration, longer surfactant chain length, and macroscopic gel size. Scattering data indicating a cubic structure for HA/CPC complexes are reported.
In the present study, we investigate degradable anionic dendritic nanogels (DNG) as carriers for antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). In such systems, the dendritic part contains carboxylic acid-based anionic binding sites for cationic AMPs, whereas linear poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains form a shell for promotion of biological stealth. In order to clarify factors influencing membrane interactions of such systems, we here address effects of nanogel charge, cross-linking, and degradation on peptide loading/release, as well as consequences of these factors for lipid membrane interactions and antimicrobial effects. The DNGs were found to bind the AMPs LL-37 (LLGDFFRKSKEKIGKEFKRIVQRIKDFLRNLVPRTES) and DPK-060 (GKHKNKGKKNGKHNGWKWWW). For the smaller DPK-060 peptide, loading was found to increase with increasing nanogel charge density. For the larger LL-37, on the other hand, peptide loading was largely insensitive to nanogel charge density. In line with this, results on the secondary structure, as well as on the absence of stabilization from proteolytic degradation by the nanogels, show that the larger LL-37 is unable to enter into the interior of the nanogels. While 40–60% nanogel degradation occurred over 10 days, promoted at high ionic strength and lower cross-linking density/higher anionic charge content, peptide release at physiological ionic strength was substantially faster, and membrane destabilization not relying on nanogel degradation. Ellipsometry and liposome leakage experiments showed both free peptide and peptide/DNG complexes to cause membrane destabilization, indicated also by antimicrobial activities being comparable for nanogel-bound and free peptide. Finally, the DNGs were demonstrated to display low toxicity towards erythrocytes even at peptide concentrations of 100 µM.
In the present study, lipid membrane interactions of anionic poly(ethyl acrylate-co-methacrylic acid) (MAA) microgels as carriers for the cationic antimicrobial peptide LL-37 (LLGDFFRKSKEKIGKEFKRIVQRIKDFLRNLVPRTES) were investigated. In doing so, neutron reflectometry (NR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR), zeta potential, ellipsometry, and circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD) experiments were employed to investigate the relative importance of membrane interactions of peptide-loaded microgel particles and of released peptide. For the free peptide, NR results showed membrane binding occurring preferentially in the tail region in a concentration-dependent manner. At low peptide concentration (0.3 mu M) only peptide insertion in the outer leaflet was seen, however, pronounced membrane defects and peptide present in both leaflets was observed at higher peptide concentration (5.0 LL-37 loaded into MAA microgels qualitatively mirrored these effects regarding both peptide localization within the membrane and concentration dependent defect formation. In addition, very limited membrane binding of microgel particles was observed, in agreement with FTIR-ATR and liposome leakage results. FTIR-ATR showed LL-37 to undergo alpha-helix formation on membrane insertion, also supported by CD results, the kinetics of which was substantially reduced for microgel-loaded LL-37 due to sustained peptide release. Together, these findings demonstrate that membrane interactions for microgel-loaded LL-37 are dominated by released peptide, but also that slow release of microgel-loaded LL-37 translates into kinetic effects on peptide-membrane interactions, relating to both peptide localization within the bilayer, and to bilayer structure.
Microgels are interesting as potential delivery systems for antimicrobial peptides. In order to elucidate membrane interactions of such systems, we here investigate effects of microgel charge density on antimicrobial peptide loading and release, as well as consequences of this for membrane interactions and antimicrobial effects, using ellipsometry, circular dichroism spectroscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, dynamic light scattering and z-potential measurements. Anionic poly(ethyl acrylate-co-methacrylic acid) microgels were found to incorporate considerable amounts of the cationic antimicrobial peptides LL-37 (LLGDFFRKSKEKIGKEFKRIVQRIKDFLRNLVPRTES) and DPK-060 (GKHKNKGKKNGKHNGWKWWW) and to protect incorporated peptides from degradation by infection-related proteases at high microgel charge density. As a result of their net negative z-potential also at high peptide loading, neither empty nor peptide-loaded microgels adsorb at supported bacteria-mimicking membranes. Instead, membrane disruption is mediated almost exclusively by peptide release. Mirroring this, antimicrobial effects against several clinically relevant bacteria (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were found to be promoted by factors facilitating peptide release, such as decreasing peptide length and decreasing microgel charge density. Microgels were further demonstrated to display low toxicity towards erythrocytes. Taken together, the results demonstrate some interesting opportunities for the use of microgels as delivery systems for antimicrobial peptides, but also highlight several key factors which need to be controlled for their successful use.
The interactions between perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and a phospholipid bilayer (1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) were investigated at the molecular level using neutron reflectometry. Representative PFASs with different chain length and functional groups were selected in this study including: perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), perfluorohexanoate (PFHxA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA). All PFASs were found to interact with the bilayer by incorporation, indicating PFAS ability to accumulate once ingested or taken up by organisms. The interactions were observed to increase with chain length and vary with the functional group as SO2NH2" role="presentation">(FOSA) > SO2O−" role="presentation">(PFOS) > COO−(PFNA). The PFAS hydrophobicity, which is strongly correlated with perfluorocarbon chain length, was found to strongly influence the interactions. Longer chain PFASs showed higher tendency to penetrate into the bilayer compared to the short-chain compounds. The incorporated PFASs could for all substances but one (PFNA) be removed from the lipid membrane by gentle rinsing with water (2 mL min−1). Although short-chain PFASs have been suggested to be the potentially less bioaccumulative alternative, we found that in high enough concentrations they can also disturb the bilayer. The roughness and disorder of the bilayer was observed to increase as the concentration of PFASs increased (in particular for the high concentrations of short-chain substances i.e. PFHxA and PFBS), which can be an indication of aggregation of PFASs in the bilayer.
The exposure of biological membranes to reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in many pathological conditions such as inflammation, infection, or sepsis. ROS also modulate signaling processes and produce markers for damaged tissue. Lipid peroxidation, mainly affecting polyunsaturated phospholipids, results in a complex mixture of oxidized products, which may dramatically alter membrane properties. Here, we have employed a set of biophysical and surface-chemical techniques, including neutron and X-ray scattering, to study the structural, compositional, and stability changes due to oxidative stress on phospholipid bilayers composed of lipids with different degrees of polyunsaturation. In doing so, we obtained real-time information about bilayer degradation under in situ UV exposure using neutron reflectometry. We present a set of interrelated physicochemical effects, including gradual increases in area per molecule, head group and acyl chain hydration, as well as bilayer thinning, lateral phase separation, and defect formation leading to content loss upon membrane oxidation. Such effects were observed to depend on the presence of polyunsaturated phospholipids in the lipid membrane, suggesting that these may also play a role in the complex oxidation processes occurring in cells.
The aim of this article was to study interactions between different gel forming polymers and amphiphilic drugs and surfactants with the intention of finding interactions that can be used for designing controlled release formulations. The release from gels was measured by detecting the UV-absorbance of drugs released from 6 mL gel into 250 mL release medium in a dissolution bath. The rheological behavior of gels was characterized using a controlled rate rheometer. The diffusion coefficient of alprenolol was 6.3 x 10(-6) cm(2)/s when formulated in a 1% poly(acrylic acid) gel (PAA) and 2.8 x 10(-6) cm(2)/s in a lipophilically modified gel (LM-PAA). The addition of alprenolol to 1% LM-PAA increased the elasticity, G', from 123 to 182 Pa. Increased gel strength was also observed for a number of other amphiphilic drugs. The addition of 1% Brij 58 to LM-PAA decreased the diffusion coefficient of alprenolol to 2.3 x 10(-6) cm(2)/s. It was possible to sustain the release of charged drugs with high log P by adding surfactant micelles. However, the effect was small and only useful for drugs with adequate lipophilicity. The interaction between LM-PAA and amphiphilic drugs could be seen using rheology and was used for designing controlled release gel formulations. In this way surfactants can be avoided, thus decreasing toxicity problems.