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Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces Oct 2022Achieving superlubricity, a state of lubrication where friction nearly vanishes, has become one of the most promising approaches to combat friction-induced energy... (Review)
Review
Achieving superlubricity, a state of lubrication where friction nearly vanishes, has become one of the most promising approaches to combat friction-induced energy dissipation and medical device failure. Phospholipids are amphiphilic molecules comprising highly hydrophilic phosphatidylcholine head groups as well as hydrophobic hydrocarbon chains, When solubilized, phospholipids can readily self-assemble to form different structures such as bilayers and vesicles (liposomes). Recently, liposomes have been identified as excellent lubricants, especially in the boundary lubrication regime the most common lubrication status in the field of biotribology. In this review, we summarize recent progress in employing liposomes as key players for employing superlubricity in biomedical applications. The relationship between lipids and liposomes, manufacturing approaches, lubrication regimes, and regulation mechanisms of liposomes are discussed. Finally, we indicate possible future directions for the use of liposome-mediated superlubricity in biomedical applications.
Topics: Liposomes; Lubricants; Lubrication; Phosphatidylcholines; Phospholipids
PubMed: 35973238
DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112764 -
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research Apr 2023Phosphatidylcholines (PCs) are the major components of biological membranes in animals and are a class of phospholipids that incorporate choline as a headgroup.... (Review)
Review
Phosphatidylcholines (PCs) are the major components of biological membranes in animals and are a class of phospholipids that incorporate choline as a headgroup. Lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) are a class of lipid biomolecules derived from the cleavage of PCs, and are the main components of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) that are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Since obesity is associated with a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, one can anticipate that the lipidomic profile changes in this context and both PCs and LPCs are gaining attention as hypothetically reliable biomarkers of obesity. Thus, a literature search is performed on PubMed, Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Literature (LILACS), and Excerpta Medica DataBASE (Embase) to obtain the findings of population studies to clarify this hypothesis. The search strategy resulted in a total of 2403 reports and 21 studies were included according to the eligibility criteria. Controversial data on the associations of PCs and LPCs with body mass index (BMI) and body fat parameters have been identified. There is an inverse relationship between BMI and most species of PCs, and a majority of studies exhibited negative associations between BMI and LPCs. Other findings regarding the differences between PCs and LPCs in obesity are presented, and the associated uncertainties are discussed in detail.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Lysophosphatidylcholines; Phosphatidylcholines; Obesity; Lecithins; Biomarkers; Lipidomics; Inflammation
PubMed: 36707969
DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202200568 -
Journal of Cell Science Aug 2023Cellular functions, such as differentiation and migration, are regulated by the extracellular microenvironment, including the extracellular matrix (ECM). Cells adhere to...
Cellular functions, such as differentiation and migration, are regulated by the extracellular microenvironment, including the extracellular matrix (ECM). Cells adhere to ECM through focal adhesions (FAs) and sense the surrounding microenvironments. Although FA proteins have been actively investigated, little is known about the lipids in the plasma membrane at FAs. In this study, we examine the lipid composition at FAs with imaging and biochemical approaches. Using the cholesterol-specific probe D4 with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and super-resolution microscopy, we show an enrichment of cholesterol at FAs simultaneously with FA assembly. Furthermore, we establish a method to isolate the lipid from FA-rich fractions, and biochemical quantification of the lipids reveals that there is a higher content of cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine with saturated fatty acid chains in the lipids of the FA-rich fraction than in either the plasma membrane fraction or the whole-cell membrane. These results demonstrate that plasma membrane at FAs has a locally distinct lipid composition compared to the bulk plasma membrane.
Topics: Focal Adhesions; Phosphatidylcholines; Cell Membrane; Cholesterol; Extracellular Matrix
PubMed: 37470177
DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260763 -
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B Oct 2017The response of lipid membranes to changes in external pressure is important for many biological processes, and it can also be exploited for technological applications....
The response of lipid membranes to changes in external pressure is important for many biological processes, and it can also be exploited for technological applications. In this work, we employ all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to characterize the changes in the physical properties of phospholipid bilayers brought about by high pressure (1000 bar). In particular, we study how the response differs, in relation to different chain unsaturation levels, by comparing monounsaturated 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) and biunsaturated dioleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) bilayers. Various structural, mechanical, and dynamical features are found to be altered by the pressure increase in both bilayers. Notably, for most properties, including bilayer area and thickness, lipid order parameters, lateral pressure profile, and curvature frustration energy, we observe significantly more pronounced effects for monounsaturated POPC than biunsaturated DOPC. Possible biological implications of the results obtained are discussed, especially in relation to how different lipids can control the structure and function of membrane proteins.
Topics: Diffusion; Elasticity; Lipid Bilayers; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; Phosphatidylcholines; Pressure; Thermodynamics; Water
PubMed: 28926699
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b07119 -
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Jul 2022Autoimmune conditions, allergies, and immunogenicity against therapeutic proteins are initiated by the unwanted immune response against self and non-self proteins. The...
Autoimmune conditions, allergies, and immunogenicity against therapeutic proteins are initiated by the unwanted immune response against self and non-self proteins. The development of tolerance induction approaches can offer an effective treatment modality for these clinical conditions. We recently showed that oral administration of lipidic nanoparticles containing phosphatidylcholine (PC) and lysophosphatidylserine (Lyso-PS) converted an immunogen to a tolerogen and induced immunological tolerance towards several antigens. While the biophysical properties such as lamellar characteristics of this binary lipid system are critical for stability, therapeutic delivery, and mechanism of tolerance induction, such information has not been thoroughly investigated. In the current study, we evaluated the lamellar phase properties of PC/Lyso-PS system using orthogonal biophysical methods such as fluorescence (steady-state, anisotropy, PSvue, and Laurdan), dynamic light scattering, and differential scanning calorimetry. The results showed that Lyso-PS partitioned into the PC bilayers and led to changes in the particles' lamellar phase properties, lipid-packing, and lipid-water dynamics. Additionally, the biophysical characteristics of PC/Lyso-PS system are different from the well-studied PC/double-chain phosphatidylserine (PS) system. Notably, the incorporation of Lyso-PS significantly reduced the hydrodynamic diameter of PC particles. Results from the in vivo uptake study and intestinal loop assay utilizing flow cytometry analysis also indicated that the uptake of Lyso-PS-containing nanoparticles by immune cells in the gut and Peyer's patches is significantly higher than that of double-chain PS due to the differential transport through microfold cells. It was also found that the acyl chain mismatch between PC and Lyso-PS is critical for the miscibility and particle stability. Collectively, the results suggest that these biophysical characteristics likely influence the in vivo behaviors and contribute to the oral tolerance property of PC/Lyso-PS system.
Topics: Lecithins; Lysophospholipids; Nanoparticles; Organic Chemicals; Phosphatidylcholines; Phosphatidylserines
PubMed: 35108564
DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2022.01.025 -
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B Jun 2023Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to study the chemical interactions that occur when...
Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to study the chemical interactions that occur when l-phenylalanine is introduced to solutions containing phosphatidylcholine vesicles. Studies reported in this work address open questions about l-Phe's affinity for lipid vesicle bilayers, the effects of l-Phe partitioning on bilayer properties, l-Phe's solvation within a lipid bilayer, and the amount of l-Phe within that local solvation environment. DSC data show that l-Phe reduces the amount of heat necessary to melt saturated phosphatidylcholine bilayers from their gel to liquid-crystalline state but does not change the transition temperature (). Time-resolved emission shows only a single l-Phe lifetime at low temperatures corresponding to l-Phe remaining solvated in aqueous solution. At temperatures close to , a second, shorter lifetime appears that is assigned to l-Phe already embedded within the membrane that becomes hydrated as water starts to permeate the lipid bilayer. This new lifetime is attributed to a conformationally restricted rotamer in the bilayer's polar headgroup region and accounts for up to 30% of the emission amplitude. Results reported for dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC, 16:0) lipid vesicles prove to be general, with similar effects observed for dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC, 14:0) and distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC, 18:0) vesicles. Taken together, these results create a complete and compelling picture of how l-Phe associates with model biological membranes. Furthermore, this approach to examining amino acid partitioning into membranes and the resulting solvation forces points to new strategies for studying the structure and chemistry of membrane-soluble peptides and selected membrane proteins.
Topics: Lipid Bilayers; Phenylalanine; Phosphatidylcholines; Cell Membrane; 1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine; Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; Water
PubMed: 37315336
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c08582 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Oct 2022Receptors of the advanced glycation products (RAGE) are activated to promote cell death and contributes to chronic diseases such as diabetes and inflammation. Advanced...
Receptors of the advanced glycation products (RAGE) are activated to promote cell death and contributes to chronic diseases such as diabetes and inflammation. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which interact with RAGE are complex compounds synthesized during diabetes development and are presumed to play a significant role in pathogenesis of diabetes. Phosphatidylcholine (PC), a polyunsaturated fatty acid found in egg yolk, mustard, and soybean, is thought to exert anti-inflammatory activity. We investigated the effects of PC on AGEs-induced hepatic and renal cell injury. In this study, we evaluated cytokine and NF-κB/MAPK signal pathway activity in AGEs induced human liver (HepG2) cells and human kidney (HK2) cells with and without PC treatment. PC reduced RAGE expression and attenuated levels of inflammatory cytokines and NF-kB/MAPK signaling. Moreover, cells treated with PC exhibited a significant reduction in cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory factor levels. These findings suggest that PC could be an effective functional material for hepatic and renal injury involving with oxidative stress caused by AGEs during diabetic conditions.
Topics: Humans; Glycation End Products, Advanced; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; Phosphatidylcholines; NF-kappa B; Oxidative Stress; Kidney; Cytokines; Liver
PubMed: 36363476
DOI: 10.3390/medicina58111519 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2022In this study, the transdermal fate of vesicular nanosystems was investigated. Particularly, ethosomes based on phosphatidylcholine 0.9% / and transethosomes based on...
In this study, the transdermal fate of vesicular nanosystems was investigated. Particularly, ethosomes based on phosphatidylcholine 0.9% / and transethosomes based on phosphatidylcholine 0.9 or 2.7% / plus polysorbate 80 0.3% / as an edge activator were prepared and characterized. The vesicle mean size, morphology and deformability were influenced by both phosphatidylcholine and polysorbate 80. Indeed, the mean diameters of ethosome were around 200 nm, while transethosome's mean diameters were 146 or 350 nm in the case of phosphatidylcholine 0.9 or 2.7%, /, respectively. The highest deformability was achieved by transethosomes based on phosphatidylcholine 0.9%, /. The three types of vesicular nanosystems were applied on explanted human skin maintained in a bioreactor. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that all vesicles were able to enter the skin, keeping their structural integrity. Notably, the vesicle penetration capability was influenced by their physical-chemical features. Indeed, ethosomes reached keratinocytes and even the dermis, phosphatidylcholine 0.9% transethosomes were found in keratinocytes and phosphatidylcholine 2.7% transethosomes were found only in corneocytes of the outer layer. These findings open interesting perspectives for a differentiated application of these vesicles for transdermal drug delivery as a function of the cutaneous pathology to be addressed.
Topics: Humans; Skin Absorption; Drug Carriers; Skin; Administration, Cutaneous; Phosphatidylcholines; Liposomes
PubMed: 36499432
DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315112 -
Food Chemistry Aug 2022Phospholipids-rich goat milk provides health benefits to consumers. The effects of homogenization on the disruption and recombination of milk fat globule membrane and...
Phospholipids-rich goat milk provides health benefits to consumers. The effects of homogenization on the disruption and recombination of milk fat globule membrane and change the fatty acid positional distribution in glycerophospholipids profile by phosphatidylcholine metabolism pathways were investigated. Goat milk was homogenized at different intensity pressure. Homogenized samples were introduced into harmonized INFOGEST digestion model. Results showed that phosphatidylcholine increased significantly during storage in 30 MPa and were approximately twice that in raw milk (LOD 0.27-1.49 μg/L and LOQ 0.89-4.92 μg/L, respectively). Meanwhile, both linoleic acid (C18:2) and α-linolenic acid (C18:3ω-3), the foremost polyunsaturated acyl chains in homogenized milk extracts, showed upward trends. Notably, homogenization increased the number and altered the composition of Sn-1, 2 diacylglycerols via increasing trypsin and pancreatic lipase (PLRP2, MAUC15, CD36 and BSSL) expression and accelerated the phosphatidylcholine conversion. Ultimately, the relationship between homogenization and milk fat globule recombination and phospholipids bioaccessibility was preliminary established.
Topics: Animals; Digestion; Fatty Acids; Goats; Milk; Phosphatidylcholines; Phospholipids
PubMed: 35339088
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132770 -
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Oct 2022
Topics: Humans; Mesotherapy; Phosphatidylcholines; Adipose Tissue; Injections, Subcutaneous
PubMed: 35094461
DOI: 10.1111/jocd.14809