Analysis of the interaction of cyclosporine congeners with cell membrane models

Owing to the relatively high molecular weight of macrocyclic peptides, investigation of the cellular uptake mechanism is required for the efficient design of macrocyclic peptides as potential drugs. We have previously reported, using HPLC, that cyclosporine A, a model macrocyclic peptide, and its congeners B, C, and D had different lipophilicity despite differing by only one amino acid. In the present study, we investigated how this difference in lipophilicity affected the interaction of the congeners with cell membranes. The circular dichroism spectra showed that the secondary structures were similar between the four congeners even at high temperature. The molar ellipticity of the four congeners in the presence of liposomes, as a cell membrane model, differed, and cyclosporines D and A showed lower molar ellipticity, while cyclosporine C exhibited higher molar ellipticity. Fluorescent spectra analysis using Laurdan indicated that liposome hydration was decreased in the presence of the cyclosporines, especially cyclosporines D and A. HPLC analysis also quantitatively showed that the amount of cyclosporine molecules internalized in HpG2 cells was the largest for cyclosporine D. We determined, using spectroscopy and HPLC, that the intensity of the interaction of the congeners with cell membranes was overall correlated with the lipophilicity derived from the side chains of each congener. Our results will contribute to the design of new macrocyclic peptides with favorable drug properties.