Effect of Lipid Headgroup on Polymer-Lipid Bilayer Association

ORAL

Abstract

Cell membrane composition plays an important role in binding to polymers. We have investigated the effect of lipid headgroup on the interaction between model membranes and amphiphilic and biocompatible diblock and triblock polymers composed of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. Large unilamellar phospholipid vesicles were used as model membranes to mimic the lipid bilayer structure of cell membranes. The composition of the lipid headgroup was manipulated by altering the amount of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol in the lipid bilayers, thereby varying the molar ratio of choline to glycerol headgroups. Polymer binding to lipid bilayers was quantified by pulsed-field-gradient NMR, which differentiated the polymers bound to lipid bilayers from free polymers based on their distinct diffusivities. It was observed that polymer binding significantly increases as the concentration of glycerol in the lipid bilayer increases, which could be due to the hydrogen bonds formed between poly(ethylene oxide) and the glycerol group of phosphatidylglycerol.

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Presenters

  • Wenjia Zhang

    University of Minnesota

Authors

  • Wenjia Zhang

    University of Minnesota

  • Frank Bates

    Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Chemical Engineering and Material Science, University of Minnesota, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota

  • Timothy Lodge

    University of Minnesota, Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota