Dynamic remodeling of giant unilamellar vesicles induced by monoglyceride nano-micelles: Insights into supramolecular organization. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yoon, Bo Kyeong; Kim, Min Chul; Jackman, Joshua A.; Cho, Nam-Joon
• Is Part Of: Applied materials today. Volume 24(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Self-assembly -- Nanostructure -- Micelles -- Phospholipid membrane -- Monoglyceride; Materials science -- Periodicals; Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apmt.2021.101099
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-9407

Abstract

Highlights: GML and DDG nanostructures caused distinct GUV morphological changes. GML nano-micelles induced vesicle fission or pearling instability. Lower GML concentrations below CMC triggered vesicle fusion or swelling. GML nanostructures induce widest reported range of membrane morphological changes. Abstract: There is broad interest in developing nanostructured assemblies composed of fatty acids and monoglycerides to inhibit membrane-enveloped pathogens and modulate immune cell behavior. Herein, we investigated the interactions of micellar nanostructures composed of a biologically active monoglyceride, glycerol monolaurate (GML), or its ether-bonded equivalent, 1-O-dodecyl- rac -glycerol (DDG), with cell-membrane-mimicking giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Our findings revealed that GML nanostructures induced fission or fusion depending on the GML concentration and corresponding degree of supramolecular organization, while DDG nanostructures only caused aggregation-like disruption of the GUV outer surface. In specific conditions, the GML nanostructures also triggered pearling instability, which led to dynamic membrane remodeling behavior and the pattern of GML interactions was consistent across simplified and complex membrane compositions. Notably, the spectrum of membrane morphological changes induced by GML nanostructures, including fission, fusion, and pearling behaviors, is appreciably wider than the fission behavior exhibited by fatty acid nanostructures in past studies. Collectively, these findings demonstrate how controlling the supramolecular organization of monoglycerides within nanostructured assemblies can be useful to modulate the type and degree of membrane interactions relevant to biophysical and nanomedicine applications. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract