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Synthesis of Compound Giant Unilamellar Vesicles: A Biomimetic Model of Nucleate Cells

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Double-shell giant vesicles mimicking Gram-negative cell wall behavior during dehydration.

Agnes Csiszár¹, Bernd Hoffmann, Rudolf Merkel

¹Institute of Bio- and Nanosystems, Biomechanics (IBN-4), Research Centre Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany.

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Summary

A novel biomimetic system using double-shell vesicles (DSVs) effectively models Gram-negative bacteria under osmotic stress. Streptavidin-coated DSVs demonstrated enhanced resilience, mimicking bacterial outer membrane properties.

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Area of Science:

Biomimetic systems
Cellular biophysics
Gram-negative bacteria

Background:

Gram-negative bacteria possess a complex cell envelope essential for survival.
Understanding the mechanical properties of this envelope under osmotic stress is crucial.
Existing models often lack the complexity to fully replicate bacterial responses.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a biomimetic system that accurately models Gram-negative bacteria under hyperosmotic stress.
To investigate the role of a reinforced outer membrane in resisting osmotic challenges.
To compare the stress response of modified vesicles to native bacterial behavior.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of double-shell vesicles (DSVs) using a two-step electroswelling procedure.
Rigidification of the outer vesicle membrane with a streptavidin-biotinylated lipid crystalline layer.
Characterization of DSVs using confocal laser scanning microscopy.
Exposure of DSVs to varying hyperosmotic conditions and analysis of shape changes.

Main Results:

Streptavidin-coated DSVs exhibited significantly reduced deformation and destruction under osmotic stress compared to controls.
Osmotically stressed DSVs showed outer membrane wrinkling and formation of inner membrane daughter vesicles.
These observed features closely resemble the known responses of Gram-negative bacteria.

Conclusions:

The developed streptavidin-coated DSV system serves as a robust biomimetic model for Gram-negative bacteria.
The reinforced outer membrane effectively enhances resistance to hyperosmotic stress, mimicking bacterial cell wall functions.
This model provides valuable insights into bacterial mechanics and survival strategies.