Self-assembled carbohydrate-based vesicles for lectin targeting

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Lectins are proteins that bind to carbohydrates, making them useful for targeting cells.
• Functionalizing vesicles with lectins is a promising strategy for targeted drug delivery.
• Understanding lectin-vesicle interactions is crucial for developing effective delivery systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the physicochemical interactions between phosphatidylcholine (PC) vesicles and a glycosylated amphiphile (C22PEG900GlcNAc) conjugated with Bauhinia variegata lectin (BVL).
• To explore the potential of lectin-functionalized vesicles for targeted drug delivery.

Main Methods:

• Vesicle characterization using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential measurements.
• Surface analysis via atomic force microscopy (AFM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).
• Spectroscopic and thermal analyses including HATR-FTIR, DSC, NMR, and UV-vis.

Main Results:

• Increased hydrodynamic radii and zeta potential changes indicated lectin binding to glycosylated vesicle surfaces.
• AFM and SAXS revealed alterations in vesicle structure and hydrophilic layer thickness due to lectin presence.
• Spectroscopic and thermal analyses demonstrated preferential interaction of BVL with lipid choline and carbonyl groups, affecting acyl chain organization.

Conclusions:

• Bauhinia variegata lectin specifically interacts with glycosylated vesicles, leading to structural and physicochemical modifications.
• Lectin binding influences vesicle surface properties and internal organization, suggesting potential for controlled drug release.
• These findings provide insights into lectin-vesicle interactions for advanced targeted drug delivery applications.