One-Dimensional Protein-Based Nanoparticles Induce Lipid Bilayer Disruption: Carbon Nanotube Conjugates and Amyloid Fibrils

Abstract

Along with recent progress of nanotechnology, concern has risen about biological impacts of nanoparticles deriving from their interaction with cell membranes. Nanoparticles tend to adsorb proteins in vivo. Therefore, the physical properties of the conjugates to cell membranes must be investigated to elucidate and assess their properties. We examined whether one-dimensional protein-based nanoparticles induce liposome leakage in physiological saline. Carbon nanotube conjugates with adsorbed lysozyme interacted with the liposome through electrostatic interaction, leading to liposome leakage. Surprisingly, amyloid fibrils of lysozyme resembled the conjugate in terms of their effects on liposome leakage. Results described herein provide new insight into the interaction between nanoparticles and cell membranes in terms of their shape, mechanical properties, and noncovalent interactions.

Chemical Basis of Interactions Between Engineered Nanoparticles and Biological Systems

“…77 Electrostatic interactions can also occur between protein-coated CNTs and liposomes, leading to liposome leakage. 78 Surface charged polystyrene nanoparticles bind to liposomes and induce surface reconstruction of the phospholipid membranes, indicating a potential structural perturbation of the cellular membrane by nanoparticles (Figure 3). 73 Nanoparticle-induced lipid bilayer rearrangements are limited to bubble-like liposomes, not supported bilayers.…”

The effect of the protein corona on the interaction between nanoparticles and lipid bilayers

“…22 Since the PC affects the properties of the NP surface, it has significant impact on the interaction between membrane and NPs. [23][24][25][26][27] Many studies are described in the literature where NP cellular uptake is related to the presence of a PC on the NPs in biological fluids, [28][29][30] in particular it has been shown that a key factor in NPs cellular uptake is their adhesion to the cell membrane that significantly affects their final uptake rates. 31 NP-cell membrane interaction is a complex dynamic process in which the environmental proteins are known to play an important multifaceted role: not only they adsorb onto the NP surface forming the PC, but also they compete with the NP in the interaction with the cell membrane.…”

Scanning Electron Microscope Imaging of Amyloid Fibrils

“…S-amyloid is generated from HEWL incubated under acidic conditions (pH 2) with saline under continuous agitation by a stirrer, as reported previously (Hirano et al, 2010;Takai et al, 2014c). Under this condition, amyloid fibrils are mainly formed from nonfragmented monomers of HEWL without hydrolysis.…”