Stabilization of Liposomes by Perfluorinated Compounds.
Heye Wang1,2, Xiaohan Zhang2, Yibo Liu2
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of MOST, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China.
ACS Omega
|December 18, 2018
Summary
Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) interact with model cell membranes, altering their properties similarly to cholesterol. These findings offer insights into PFC toxicity mechanisms and their effects on biological systems.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are persistent environmental contaminants with potential toxicity to humans and animals.
- Understanding the interaction mechanisms between PFCs and biological membranes is crucial for assessing their toxicological impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interactions of three PFCs with phosphocholine (PC) liposomes, serving as model cell membranes.
- To compare the effects of PFCs with common surfactants (SDS, CTAB, SHS) on liposome membrane properties.
Main Methods:
- Utilized zeta potential measurement, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy.
- Employed calcein-loaded liposomes to quantify membrane leakage and Laurdan dye to assess lipid packing.
- Tested interactions with unmodified, calcein-loaded, and Laurdan dye-embedded liposomes.
Main Results:
- PFCs and SHS decreased calcein leakage from liposomes with increasing temperature, while SDS and CTAB increased it.
- PFCs exhibited stronger effects on lipid membranes than SHS, attributed to their perfluoroalkyl carbon chains.
- PFCs were found to inhibit nanoparticle-induced membrane leakage and affected lipid packing.
Conclusions:
- PFCs modulate liposome membrane properties, showing similarities to cholesterol's effects.
- The study provides fundamental insights into the interaction mechanisms between PFCs and cell membranes.
- Findings contribute to understanding the toxicological pathways of PFCs in biological systems.
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