Supported Lipid Bilayer Technology for the Study of Cellular Interfaces

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Immunology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Glass-supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) are crucial for studying cell-cell interfaces, particularly T cell-antigen presenting cell (APC) interactions.
• Existing protocols are expanded to enhance the study of immune synapse formation and cellular signaling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe improved methods for preparing protein-reconstituted liposomes and lipid bilayers on various substrates.
• To present techniques for analyzing immune cell signaling responses using these model systems.
• To detail the preparation of transmembrane-anchored proteins in mammalian cells for novel applications.

Main Methods:

• Liposome preparation via extrusion.
• Formation of lipid bilayers on silica beads.
• Expression of transmembrane proteins in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells.

Main Results:

• Established protocols for creating protein-functionalized lipid bilayers on glass and silica beads.
• Demonstrated utility of these systems for studying Jurkat cell immune synapse formation.
• Developed methods for producing mammalian-glycosylated transmembrane proteins.

Conclusions:

• The described methods provide versatile platforms for investigating cell-cell interactions and signaling.
• These advancements facilitate research in immunology, cell biology, and biophysics.
• The use of CHO cells enables the production of complex, mammalian-like glycoproteins for novel applications.