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Abstract
Maintaining the integrity of cell membranes is indispensable for cellular viability. Poloxamer 188 (P188), a poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) triblock copolymer with a number-average molecular weight of 8700 g/mol and containing 80% by mass PEO, protects cell membranes from various external injuries and has the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent in diverse applications. The membrane protection mechanism associated with P188 is intimately connected with how this block copolymer interacts with the lipid bilayer, the main component of a cell membrane. Here, we report the distribution of P188 in a model lipid bilayer comprising 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) using neutron reflectivity (NR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). We also investigated the association of a PEO homopolymer (PEO8.4K; Mn = 8400 g/mol) that does not protect living cell membranes. These experiments were conducted following incubation of a 4.5 mmol/L polymer solution in a buffer that mimics physiological conditions with supported POPC bilayer membranes followed by washing with the aqueous medium. In contrast to previous reports, which dealt with P188 and PEO in salt-free solutions, both P188 and PEO8.4K penetrate into the inner portion of the lipid bilayer as revealed by NR, with approximately 30% by volume occupancy across the membrane without loss of bilayer structural integrity. These results indicate that PEO is the chemical moiety that principally drives P188 binding to bilayer membranes. No defects or phase-separated domains were observed in either P188- or PEO8.4K-incubated lipid bilayers when examined by AFM, indicating that polymer chains mingle homogeneously with lipid molecules in the bilayer. Remarkably, the breakthrough force required for penetration of the AFM tip through the bilayer membrane is unaffected by the presence of the large amount of P188 and PEO8.4K.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 3393-3403 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Langmuir |
Volume | 36 |
Issue number | 13 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 7 2020 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (R01 HL122323 and R01 AR071349). The AFM experiments were conducted at the Characterization Facility, University of Minnesota, which receives partial support from the NSF through the MRSEC program (DMR-1420013). We acknowledge the support of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), U.S. Department of Commerce, in providing the neutron research facilities used in this work. Certain commercial equipment, instruments, or materials are identified in this paper to foster understanding. Such identification does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the NIST, nor does it imply that the materials or equipment identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose. H.S.S. is supported by a Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation under Grant 00039202.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 American Chemical Society.
MRSEC Support
- Shared
PubMed: MeSH publication types
- Journal Article
- Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
- Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Spatial Distribution of PEO-PPO-PEO Block Copolymer and PEO Homopolymer in Lipid Bilayers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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MRSEC IRG-3: Hierarchical Multifunctional Macromolecular Materials
Reineke, T. M. (Coordinator), Bates, F. S. (Senior Investigator), Dorfman, K. (Senior Investigator), Dutcher, C. S. (Senior Investigator), Hillmyer, M. A. (Senior Investigator), Lodge, T. P. (Senior Investigator), Morse, D. C. (Senior Investigator), Siepmann, I. (Senior Investigator), Barreda, L. (Researcher) & Ganewatta, M. S. (Researcher)
11/1/14 → 10/31/20
Project: Research project
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University of Minnesota MRSEC (DMR-1420013)
Lodge, T. P. (PI)
11/1/14 → 10/31/20
Project: Research project