Extracellular membrane vesicles from Limosilactobacillus reuteri strengthen the intestinal epithelial integrity, modulate cytokine responses and antagonize activation of TRPV1.

Bacterial extracellular membrane vesicles (MV) are potent mediators of microbe-host signals, and they are not only important in host-pathogen interactions but also for the interactions between mutualistic bacteria and their hosts. Studies of MV derived from probiotics could enhance the understanding of these universal signal entities, and here we have studied MV derived from Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and BG-R46. The production of MV increased with cultivation time and after oxygen stress. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics analyses revealed that the MV carried a large number of bacterial cell surface proteins, several predicted to be involved in host-bacteria interactions. A 5'-nucleotidase, which catalyze the conversion of AMP into the signal molecule adenosine, was one of these and analysis of enzymatic activity showed that L. reuteri BG-R46 derived MV exhibited the highest activity. We also detected the TLR2 activator lipoteichoic acid on the MV. In models for host interactions, we first observed that L. reuteri MV were internalized by Caco-2/HT29-MTX epithelial cells, and in a dose-dependent manner decreased the leakage caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli by up to 65%. Furthermore, the MV upregulated IL-1ß and IL-6 from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), but also dampened IFN-γ and TNF-α responses in PBMC challenged with Staphylococcus aureus. Finally, we showed that MV from the L. reuteri strains have an antagonistic effect on the pain receptor transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 in a model with primary dorsal root ganglion cells from rats. In summary, we have shown that these mobile nanometer scale MV reproduce several biological effects of L. reuteri cells and that the production parameters and selection of strain have an impact on the activity of the MV. This could potentially provide key information for development of innovative and more efficient probiotic products.

Correlation between the Antimicrobial Activity and Metabolic Profiles of Cell Free Supernatants and Membrane Vesicles Produced by Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938.

The aim of the work is to assess the antimicrobial activities of Cell Free Supernatants (CFS) and Membrane Vesicles (MVs), produced by Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, versus Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and investigate their metabolic profiles. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration was determined through the broth microdilution method and cell proliferation assay and the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration was determined by Colony Forming Units counts. The characteristics of the antimicrobial compounds were evaluated by pH adjustments, proteinase treatment, and size fractionation of the CFS. The cytotoxicity of CFS was tested on two human cell lines. A detailed snapshot of the L. reuteri metabolism was attained through an untargeted metabolic profiling by means of high resolution Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) coupled with Electrospray Ionization Source (ESI). The results showed (i) a greater efficacy of CFS and its fractions towards Gram-negative compared to Gram-positive bacteria; (ii) an antimicrobial effect related to pH-dependent compounds but not to MVs; (iii) a molecular weight < 3 KDa as well as an a non-proteinaceous nature of the antimicrobial compounds; and (iv) more than 200 and 500 putative metabolites annotated in MVs and supernatants, covering several classes of metabolites, including amino acids, lipids, fatty and organic acids, polyalcohols, nucleotides, and vitamins. Some putative compounds were proposed not only as characteristic of specific fractions, but also possibly involved in antimicrobial activity.

Bioactive Silk Coatings Reduce the Adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus while Supporting Growth of Osteoblast-like Cells.

Orthopedic and dental implants are associated with a substantial risk of failure due to biomaterial-associated infections and poor osseointegration. To prevent such outcomes, a coating can be applied on the implant to ideally both reduce the risk of bacterial adhesion and support establishment of osteoblasts. We present a strategy to construct dual-functional silk coatings with such properties. Silk coatings were made from a recombinant partial spider silk protein either alone (silkwt) or fused with a cell-binding motif derived from fibronectin (FN-silk). The biofilm-dispersal enzyme Dispersin B (DspB) and two peptidoglycan degrading endolysins, PlySs2 and SAL-1, were produced recombinantly. A sortase recognition tag (SrtTag) was included to allow site-specific conjugation of each enzyme onto silkwt and FN-silk coatings using an engineered variant of the transpeptidase Sortase A (SrtA*). To evaluate bacterial adhesion on the samples, Staphylococcus aureus was incubated on the coatings and subsequently subjected to live/dead staining. Fluorescence microscopy revealed a reduced number of bacteria on all silk coatings containing enzymes. Moreover, the bacteria were mobile to a higher degree, indicating a negative influence on the bacterial adhesion. The capability to support mammalian cell interactions was assessed by cultivation of the osteosarcoma cell line U-2 OS on dual-functional surfaces, prepared by conjugating the enzymes onto FN-silk coatings. U-2 OS cells could adhere to silk coatings with enzymes and showed high spreading and viability, demonstrating good cell compatibility.

Freeze-dried and re-hydrated liquid crystalline nanoparticles stabilized with disaccharides for drug-delivery of the plectasin derivative AP114 antimicrobial peptide.

Liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCNPs), e.g. cubosomes and hexosomes, are receiving more and more attraction as drug delivery vehicles. Dry powder formulation that forms LCNPs upon hydration can be advantageous to make new routes of administration accessible. In this work, we investigate use of three disaccharides (lactose, trehalose and sucrose) as protective matrices for glycerol monooleate based LCNP forming powders produced by freeze-drying. Phase behavior, particle size and size distributions at the different preparation steps were monitored by small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Particle appearance was imaged by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). Moreover, the therapeutic relevant antimicrobial peptide AP114 (plectasin derivative) was incorporated in the formulations. Peptide encapsulation and release as well as in vitro antibacterial effect were investigated. Results showed that all freeze-dried powders did form particles with liquid crystalline structure upon hydration. However, a phase transition from the bicontinuous cubic Pn3m to the reversed hexagonal was observed, as a consequence of sugar addition and the freeze-drying procedure. Data indicates that trehalose is the preferred choice of lyo-protectant in order to maintain a mono-modal particle size distribution. In addition, antimicrobial activity of AP114-containing formulations was found to be highest for the formulation containing trehalose. The release kinetics of AP114 from the nanoparticles was strongly affected by the dimensions of the hexagonal phase. Larger dimension of the hexagonal phase, significantly improved the release of AP114 and antimicrobial activity of the formulation.

Evaluation of toxicity of glycerol monooleate nanoparticles on PC12 cell line.

An innovative approach to improve drug delivery is the use of glycerol monooleate nanoparticles. Numerous studies describe their high versatility, low toxicity and ability to carry relatively high loads of conjugated compounds including scarcely soluble ones, providing sustained drug release and increasing drug diffusion and half-life. Despite a growing interest in their potential use for therapeutic applications, there are surprisingly few literature data concerning the toxic effects of these nanoparticles at high concentrations in vitro and in vivo, and their effects on cell metabolism. We produced and characterized from a physical-chemical point of view glycerol monooleate nanoparticles and tested them on the PC12 cell line, a rat model of neuronal differentiation. The toxicity of these nanoparticles was evaluated by molecular methods on cell viability, cell cycle, nanoparticle uptake and induction of apoptosis. The results showed that glycerol monooleate nanoparticles up to 100 µg/mL had no toxic effects on PC12 cells, did not induce significant changes in the cell cycle nor cause apoptosis. The nanoparticles entered PC12 cells 8 h after treatment, successfully delivering the conjugate compound inside cells. Overall, glycerol monooleate nanoparticles did not exhibit significant toxicity on PC12 cell line in concentrations up to 100 µg/mL, supporting their therapeutic use as drug delivery systems.

Development of a novel in situ gelling skin dressing: Delivering high levels of dissolved oxygen at pH 5.5.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Wound healing requires appropriate oxygen and pH levels. Oxygen therapy and pH-modulating treatments have shown positive effects on wound healing. Thus, a dressing, which combines high levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) with the pH of intact skin, may improve wound healing. Our aims were to (1) formulate an in situ gelling dressing with high levels of DO and with the pH level of intact skin, (2) evaluate physical and chemical properties of the dressing, and (3) elucidate basic effects of elevated levels of DO on human skin cells in vitro. METHODS: A dressing was formulated with 15 to 16 wt% poloxamer 407, acetate buffer, and oxygenated water. Stability of pH and DO, rheology, and shelf life were analysed. Furthermore, in vitro studies of the effect of increased levels of DO were performed. RESULTS: An in situ gelling wound dressing, with a DO concentration ranging between 25 and 35 mg/L and a pH of 5.5, was formulated. The DO concentration was stable above 22 mg/L for at least 30 hours when applied on a surface at 35°C and covered for directed diffusion into the intended wound area. At storage, the dressing had stable pH for 3 months and stable DO concentration over 30 mg/L for 7 weeks. Increasing DO significantly enhanced intracellular ATP in human skin cells, without changing reactive oxygen species production, proliferation rate, or viability. CONCLUSION: The developed dressing may facilitate wound healing by delivering controlled and stable oxygen levels, providing adjustable pH for optimized healing, and increasing intracellular ATP availability.

Cubosomes post-loaded with antimicrobial peptides: characterization, bactericidal effect and proteolytic stability.

Novel antibiotics, such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), have recently attended more and more attraction. In this work, dispersed cubic liquid crystalline gel (cubosomes) was used as drug delivery vehicles for three AMPs (AP114, DPK-060 and LL-37). Association of peptides onto cubosomes was studied at two cubosome/peptide ratios using high performance liquid chromatography, ζ-potential and circular dichroism measurements. AMPs impact on the cubosome structure was investigated using small angle x-ray scattering and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. The antimicrobial effect of the AMP loaded cubosomes was studied in vitro by minimum inhibitory concentration and time-kill assays. Proteolytic protection was investigated by incubating the formulations with two elastases and the antimicrobial effect after proteolysis was studied using radial diffusion assay. Different association efficacy onto the cubosomes was observed among the AMPs, with LL-37 showing greatest association (>60%). AP114 loaded cubosomes displayed a preserved antimicrobial effect, whereas for LL-37 the broad spectrum bacterial killing was reduced to only comprise Gram-negative bacteria. Interestingly, DPK-060 loaded cubosomes showed a slight enhanced effect against S. aureus and E. coli strains. Moreover, the cubosomes were found to protect LL-37 from proteolytic degradation, resulting in a significantly better bactericidal effect after being subjected to elastase, compared to unformulated peptide.

Self-Assembly of Recombinant Silk as a Strategy for Chemical-Free Formation of Bioactive Coatings: A Real-Time Study.

Functionalization of biomaterials with biologically active peptides can improve their performance after implantation. By genetic fusion to self-assembling proteins, the functional peptides can easily be presented on different physical formats. Herein, a chemical-free coating method based on self-assembly of the recombinant spider silk protein 4RepCT is described and used to prepare functional coatings on various biomaterial surfaces. The silk assembly was studied in real-time, revealing the occurrence of continuous assembly of silk proteins onto surfaces and the formation of nanofibrillar structures. The adsorbed amounts and viscoelastic properties were evaluated, and the coatings were shown to be stable against wash with hydrogen chloride, sodium hydroxide, and ethanol. Titanium, stainless steel, and hydroxyapatite were coated with silk fused to an antimicrobial peptide or a motif from fibronectin. Human primary cells cultured on the functional silk coatings show good cell viability and proliferation, implying the potential to improve implant performance and acceptance by the body.

Lipid-Based Liquid Crystals As Carriers for Antimicrobial Peptides: Phase Behavior and Antimicrobial Effect.

The number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is increasing worldwide, and the demand for novel antimicrobials is constantly growing. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) could be an important part of future treatment strategies of various bacterial infection diseases. However, AMPs have relatively low stability, because of proteolytic and chemical degradation. As a consequence, carrier systems protecting the AMPs are greatly needed, to achieve efficient treatments. In addition, the carrier system also must administrate the peptide in a controlled manner to match the therapeutic dose window. In this work, lyotropic liquid crystalline (LC) structures consisting of cubic glycerol monooleate/water and hexagonal glycerol monooleate/oleic acid/water have been examined as carriers for AMPs. These LC structures have the capability of solubilizing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances, as well as being biocompatible and biodegradable. Both bulk gels and discrete dispersed structures (i.e., cubosomes and hexosomes) have been studied. Three AMPs have been investigated with respect to phase stability of the LC structures and antimicrobial effect: AP114, DPK-060, and LL-37. Characterization of the LC structures was performed using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), dynamic light scattering, ζ-potential, and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM) and peptide loading efficacy by ultra performance liquid chromatography. The antimicrobial effect of the LCNPs was investigated in vitro using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and time-kill assay. The most hydrophobic peptide (AP114) was shown to induce an increase in negative curvature of the cubic LC system. The most polar peptide (DPK-060) induced a decrease in negative curvature while LL-37 did not change the LC phase at all. The hexagonal LC phase was not affected by any of the AMPs. Moreover, cubosomes loaded with peptides AP114 and DPK-060 showed preserved antimicrobial activity, whereas particles loaded with peptide LL-37 displayed a loss in its broad-spectrum bactericidal properties. AMP-loaded hexosomes showed a reduction in antimicrobial activity.

Lipid-based nanoformulations for peptide delivery.

Nanoformulations have attracted a lot of attention because of their size-dependent properties. Among the array of nanoformulations, lipid nanoformulations (LNFs) have evoked increasing interest because of the advantages of their high degree of biocompatibility and versatility. The performance of lipid nanoformulations is greatly influenced by their composition and structure. Therapeutic peptides represent a growing share of the pharmaceutical market. However, the main challenge for their development into commercial products is their inherent physicochemical and biological instability. Important peptides such as insulin, calcitonin and cyclosporin A have been incorporated into LNFs. The association or encapsulation of peptides within lipid-based carriers has shown to protect the labile molecules against enzymatic degradation. This review describes strategies used for the formulation of peptides and some methods used for the assessment of association efficiency. The advantages and drawbacks of such carriers are also described.

Peptide-microgel interactions in the strong coupling regime.

The interaction between lightly cross-linked poly(acrylic acid) microgels and oppositely charged peptides was investigated as a function of peptide length, charge density, pH, and salt concentration, with emphasis on the strong coupling regime at high charge contrast. By micromanipulator-assisted light microscopy, the equilibrium volume response of single microgel particles upon oligolysine and oligo(lysine/alanine) absorption could be monitored in a controlled fashion. Results show that microgel deswelling, caused by peptide binding and network neutralization, increases with peptide length (3 < 5 < 10) and charge density (30% < 50% < 100%). Furthermore, oligomer-induced microgel deswelling was more pronounced at pH 5 than at pH 8, reflecting the lower network charge density in the former case (pK(a) for the isolated acrylic acid ≈4.7). In order to describe these highly coupled systems, a model was developed, in which counterion/peptide-mediated electrostatic attraction between the network chains is described using an exponential force law, and the network elasticity by the inverse Langevin theory. The model was used to calculate the composition of microgels in contact with reservoir solutions of peptides and simple electrolytes. At high electrostatic coupling, the calculated swelling curves were found to display first-order phase transition behavior. The model was demonstrated to capture pH- and electrolyte-dependent microgel swelling, as well as effects of peptide length and charge density on microgel deswelling. The analysis demonstrated that the peptide charge (length), rather than the peptide charge density, determines microgel deswelling. Furthermore, a transition between continuous and discrete network collapse was identified, consistent with experimental results in the present investigations, as well as with results from the literature on microgel deswelling caused by multivalent cations.

Microgels and microcapsules in peptide and protein drug delivery.

The present review focuses on the interaction of microgels and microcapsules with biological macromolecules, particularly peptides and proteins, as well as drug delivery applications of such systems. Results from recent studies on factors affecting peptide/protein binding to, and release from, microgels and related systems are discussed, including effects of network properties, as well as protein aggregation, peptide length, hydrophobicity and charge (distributions), secondary structure, and cyclization. Effects of ambient conditions (pH, ionic strength, temperature, etc.) are also discussed, all with focus on factors of importance for the performance of microgel and microcapsule delivery systems for biomacromolecular drugs.

Effects of peptide secondary structure on the interaction with oppositely charged microgels.

The importance of peptide secondary structure on the interaction between antimicrobial peptides and oppositely charged poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) microgels of various charge density was investigated for EFKRIVQRIKDFLRNLV (EFK17). Through D-enantiomer (EFK17-d/a; E(dF)KR(dI)VQR(dI)KD(dF)LRNLV) or tryptophan (EFK17-W/a; EWKRWVQRWKDFLRNLV) substitutions, both conformation-dependent and -independent amphiphilicity of this peptide could be precisely controlled. Peptide secondary structure was investigated by circular dichroism, whereas microgel deswelling and reswelling in response to peptide binding and release were studied by micromanipulator-assisted light and fluorescence microscopy, and peptide uptake in the microgels was determined from solution depletion measurements. Results show that peptide binding to the microgel is highly influenced by peptide secondary structure. EFK17-a, characterized by an idealized helix with all polar/charged amino acids located at one side of the helix, and all nonpolar/hydrophobic residues on the other, displays pronounced α-helix induction on peptide binding to the microgels. EFK17-d/a, on the other hand, displays no such amphiphilic helix induction. Mirroring this, EFK17-a displays substantially higher binding to the microgels than EFK17-d/a as well as much larger peptide-induced microgel deswelling. For EFK17-W/a, both conformation-dependent and -independent amphiphilicity effects were demonstrated. Overall, the results show that peptide conformational aspects need to be considered in peptide/microgel interactions, for example, in the design of microgel carrier systems for peptide drugs.

Recombinant spider silk as matrices for cell culture.

The recombinant miniature spider silk protein, 4RepCT, was used to fabricate film, foam, fiber and mesh matrices of different dimensionality, microstructure and nanotopography. These matrices were evaluated regarding their suitability for cell culturing. Human primary fibroblasts attached to and grew well on all matrix types, also in the absence of serum proteins or other animal-derived additives. The highest cell counts were obtained on matrices combining film and fiber/mesh. The cells showed an elongated shape that followed the structure of the matrices and exhibited prominent actin filaments. Moreover, the fibroblasts produced, secreted and deposited collagen type I onto the matrices. These results, together with findings of the matrices being mechanically robust, hold promise not only for in vitro cell culturing, but also for tissue engineering applications.

Effect of charge density on the interaction between cationic peptides and oppositely charged microgels.

The effect of charge density on the interaction between cationic peptides and oppositely charged poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) microgels was investigated together with effects of charge localization and interplay between electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. The microgel charge content was controlled by varying acrylic acid/acrylamide ratios (25/75-100/0 mol %) in the microgel synthesis, whereas peptide charge density was controlled by using monodisperse peptides containing alanine and lysine in a series of repeated patterns (25-50 mol % lysine). Results show that peptide uptake in the microgels is largely determined by microgel charge density, whereas peptide-induced microgel deswelling kinetics is influenced by peptide charge density to a higher degree. Furthermore, electrolyte-induced peptide detachment is highly influenced by both microgel and peptide charge density. Thus, at high charge contrast, peptides could not be detached from the microgels, whereas reducing the charge density of either peptide or microgel promoted electrolyte-induced peptide release. The localization of charges in the peptide sequence also plays a significant role as the interaction strength increased for peptides where all charged groups are located at the end of the sequence, as opposed to homogenously distributed throughout the peptide. Such an asymmetrically charged peptide thus displayed higher uptake, faster deswelling response, and lower release degrees than its homogeneously charged analogue in microgels with high charge content, while these differences were absent for lower microgel charge densities. Hydrophobic substitutions (alanine --> leucine) in the peptide chain at fixed charge content increased peptide binding strength and eliminated peptide detachment at high ionic strength. Theoretical modeling of the effect of peptide and microgel charge density on peptide-induced microgel deswelling gave good agreement with experimental results.

Effect of hydrophobicity on the interaction between antimicrobial peptides and poly(acrylic acid) microgels.

The influence of peptide hydrophobicity on the interaction between antimicrobial peptides and poly(acrylic acid) microgels was studied by end-tagging the kininogen-derived antimicrobial peptide GKHKNKGKKNGKHNGWK (GKH17) and its truncated variant KNKGKKNGKH (KNK10) with oligotryptophan groups of different lengths. Microgel deswelling and reswelling in response to peptide binding and release was studied by micromanipulator-assisted light- and fluorescence microscopy, peptide uptake in microgels was determined from solution depletion measurements, and peptide oligomerization was monitored by fluorescence spectroscopy. Results showed that oligomerization/aggregation of the hydrophobically end-tagged peptides is either absent or characterized by exposure of the tryptophan residues to the aqueous ambient, the latter suggesting small aggregation numbers. In addition, peptide uptake and affinity to the poly(acrylic acid) microgels increase with the number of tryptophan residues in the hydrophobic end tag, whereas peptide-induced microgel deswelling kinetics did not display this tag-length dependence to the same extent. Instead, long end tags resulted in anomalous shell formation, opposing further peptide-induced network deswelling. Theoretical modeling suggested that the deswelling kinetics in response to peptide binding is largely controlled by stagnant layer diffusion, but also that for peptides with sufficiently long hydrophobic tags, the shell constitutes an additional diffusion barrier, thus resulting in slower microgel deswelling. In addition, GKH17 and KNK10 peptides lacking the tryptophan end tags were substantially released on reducing peptide-microgel electrostatic interactions through addition of salt, an effect more pronounced for the shorter KNK10 peptide, whereas the hydrophobically end-tagged peptides remained bound to the microgels also at high ionic strength.

Binding and release of consensus peptides by poly(acrylic acid) microgels.

The interaction between positively charged consensus peptides and poly(acrylic acid) microgels was investigated with micromanipulator-assisted light microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Peptide binding and release was monitored by microgel deswelling and swelling for monodisperse multiples of heparin-binding Cardin and Weintraub motifs, (AKKARA)(n) (1

Interactions between homopolypeptides and lightly cross-linked microgels.

The relative importance of electrostatic and nonelectrostatic interactions in peptide-microgel systems was evaluated by micromanipulator-assisted light microscopy, confocal microscopy, and circular dichroism. For this purpose, the interaction of various homopolypeptides with lightly cross-linked polyelectrolyte gel particles ( approximately 70 microm in diameter) was studied with focus on peptide-induced microgel deswelling and its relation to peptide distribution within the microgel particles. Negatively charged poly-l-glutamic acid (pGlu) and poly-l-aspartic acid (pAsp), as well as uncharged poly-l-proline (pPro) and poly-l-threonine (pThr), were found to not bind to negatively charged poly(acrylic acid) microgels under the conditions investigated, but were instead depleted from the microgel particles. Positively charged poly-l-arginine (pArg), poly-l-histidine (pHis), and poly-l-lysine (pLys), on the other hand, interacted strongly with the oppositely charged microgel particles and caused significant deswelling of these. In parallel, cationic acrylamidopropyltriethylammoniumchloride (APTAC) microgels bound negatively charged polypeptides to a much higher extent than positively charged and uncharged ones. These findings suggest that electrostatic interactions dominate peptide binding and resulting microgel deswelling in these systems. Nevertheless, although the amount of cationic peptide bound to the anionic microgel particles was similar for cationic pLys, pArg, and pHis, peptide-induced gel deswelling differed significantly, as did the change in peptide conformation after microgel binding and the peptide distribution within the microgels. These effects, as well as pH dependent binding and release of titrable pHis, are discussed in terms of the effects of the charge density of, and structural differences between, the cationic homopolypeptides on the interaction with the oppositely charged microgel particles.

Transport of poly-L-lysine into oppositely charged poly(acrylic acid) microgels and its effect on gel deswelling.

The interaction between poly-L-lysine (pLys) and oppositely charged poly(acrylic acid) (pAA) microgels (Ø approximately 80-120 microm) was studied by micromanipulator-assisted light microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of peptide size, pH, and salt concentration on binding, transport, and distribution of pLys in pAA microgel particles and thereby also to outline the details of the gel deswelling in response to pLys binding and incorporation. Both peptide distribution and gel deswelling kinetics were found to be strongly influenced by the pLys molecular weight, originating partly from limited entry of large peptides into the gel particle core. Also pH was shown to influence both deswelling and pLys incorporation kinetics, with a decreased deswelling rate observed with increasing pH. These effects are determined by a complex interplay between the pH-dependence of both pLys and the gel network, also influencing volume transitions of the latter. Finally, salt concentration was shown to have a significant effect on both gel deswelling rate and pLys transport, with an increased electrolyte concentration resulting in decreased deswelling rate but also in an increased peptide transport rate within the microgel particles.

Visualizing the interaction between poly-L-lysine and poly(acrylic acid) microgels using microscopy techniques: effect of electrostatics and peptide size.

The interaction between lightly cross-linked poly(acrylic acid) (pAA) microgels (50-150 microm in diameter) and poly-L-lysine (pLys) was studied as a function of pH, ionic strength, peptide size, and concentration. The swelling response and distribution of polypeptides within microgel particles was monitored by micromanipulator-assisted light microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy, while binding isotherms of pLys in the microgels were determined spectrophotometrically. Conformational changes of pLys were investigated by circular dichroism. The molecular weight of pLys was found to influence the degree of peptide-induced microgel deswelling, largely due to limitation of peptides larger than the effective network mesh size to penetrate the entire gel. Large peptides were concentrated within a surface layer of the gel particles, and at low ionic strength this dense surface layer was shown to act as a largely steric barrier for further penetration of compounds into the gel core. Small peptides, however, distributed evenly throughout the microgel particles and were able to create large microgel volume reductions. The deswelling of microgels increased with decreasing pH, while the uptake of pLys was significantly reduced at low pH. The effect of ionic strength on the interactions of pLys and oppositely charged pAA microgels was moderate and only pronounced for deswelling of gels at high pH. A significant increase in the alpha-helix content of pLys interacting with the oppositely charged microgels was observed for high molecular weight peptides, and the extent of alpha-helix formation was as expected more pronounced at high pH, i.e., at high charge density of the microgels but reduced charge density of the peptides.