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High Resolution Physical Characterization of Single Metallic Nanoparticles

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Nanomolar PFOA Concentrations Affect Lipid Membrane Structure: Consequences for Bioconcentration Mechanisms.

Tess N Sobolewski¹, Rhys C Trousdale¹, Colin L Gauvin¹

¹Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, United States.

Environmental Science & Technology

|December 24, 2024

Summary

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a PFAS chemical, alters DPPC vesicle bilayers at low concentrations. This changes bilayer properties, increasing susceptibility to solute accumulation and causing membrane hydration.

Keywords:

DPPC PFOA bioconcentration cryo-EM niosomes phase transition time-resolved emission vesicles

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Assembly of Cell Mimicking Supported and Suspended Lipid Bilayer Models for the Study of Molecular Interactions

Assembly of Cell Mimicking Supported and Suspended Lipid Bilayer Models for the Study of Molecular Interactions

Published on: August 3, 2021

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Biochemistry
Materials Science

Background:

PFAS chemicals, like PFOA, are persistent environmental contaminants.
Lipid bilayers, such as DPPC vesicles, are fundamental to cell membranes and drug delivery systems.
Understanding how environmental contaminants interact with biological membranes is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) vesicle bilayers.
To elucidate the structural and functional changes induced by PFOA in lipid bilayers.
To assess the impact of PFOA on bilayer permeability and solute interactions.

Main Methods:

Calorimetry measurements to determine changes in DPPC's gel-liquid crystalline transition enthalpy.
Dynamic light scattering (DLS) to analyze vesicle size distribution and identify smaller structures.
Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) for detailed structural analysis of vesicles.
Time-resolved fluorescence emission measurements using Coumarin 152 (C152) to probe bilayer partitioning and hydration.

Main Results:

Sub-micromolar PFOA concentrations lowered DPPC's transition enthalpy without altering the transition temperature.
DLS data showed a broadening of DPPC vesicle size distribution and the formation of smaller (30-50 nm) bilayer structures.
Cryo-EM revealed PFOA-induced multilamellar vesicles and bilayer structures similar to niosomes.
PFOA increased solute (C152) partitioning into the hydrophobic interior and induced membrane hydration below the transition temperature.

Conclusions:

PFOA significantly alters DPPC vesicle bilayer structure and properties even at very low concentrations.
These structural changes enhance the susceptibility of DPPC bilayers to secondary solute accumulation.
PFOA induces membrane hydration, impacting bilayer function below the gel-liquid crystalline transition temperature.