Hybrid polymer/lipid vesicles: Influence of polymer architecture and molar mass on line tension

Abstract

Hybrid polymer/lipid vesicles are self-assembled structures that have been the subject of an increasing number of studies in recent years. They are particularly promising tools in the development of cell membrane models as they offer the possibility to fine-tune their membrane structure by adjusting the distribution of components (presence or absence of "raft like" lipid domains) which is of prime importance to control their membrane properties. Line tension in multiphase membranes is known to be a key parameter on membrane structuration but remains unexplored, either experimentally or by computer modelling for hybrid polymer /lipid vesicles. In this study we were able to measure the line tension on different budded hybrid vesicles, using micropipette aspiration technique, and show the influence of the molar mass and the architecture of block copolymers on line tension and its consequences for membrane structuration.

Increased efficiency of charge-mediated fusion in polymer/lipid hybrid membranes

“…However, the versatility of synthetic amphiphiles allows for the modulation of the mechanical properties by the respective architectures, chemistries, and molar ratios—i.e., polymer membranes are not rigid by default but tunable. This is evident, for instance, in the case of phase separation ( 33 , 34 ), which is governed by the hydrophobic mismatch between lipids and polymers, and the resulting line tension ( 35 ). Thus, changing only the copolymer architecture from triblock to grafted while keeping the building blocks and membrane thickness the same may suffice for more efficient mixing and formation of fewer domains ( 36 ).…”

Advances in block copolymer-phospholipid hybrid vesicles: from physical–chemical properties to applications

“…Similar line tension values (0.32–0.82 pN) were obtained for PDMS 23 - b -PEG 13 , PDMS 27 - b -PEG 17 , or PEG 8 - b -PDMS 22 - b -PEG 8 & POPC with 50% lipid content. 42 gHVs made of PDMS- g -PEG & soy PC exhibited twice lower rigidity than soy PC liposomes. 30 These gHVs exhibited lower bending rigidity than liposomes, comparable to that of polymersomes (11.6 ± 2.4 kBT) rather than showing intermediate softening.…”

Synthetic Cells Revisited: Artificial Cell Construction Using Polymeric Building Blocks

“…[130] The film rehydration method is suitable for a wide range of copolymers, such as poly(dimethylsiloxane)-poly-b-(methyloxazoline), [15,34,88] poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(acrylic acid), [131] polybutadiene-b-poly(ethylene ethyl phosphate) or polybutadiene-b-poly(ethylene ethyl phosphate. [125] It has also been further applied to hybrid polymer-lipid mixtures, [132] and amphiphilic elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs). [133] As the organic solvents are completely removed during the drying process, film rehydration is a biocompatible method and thus, suitable for loading the assemblies with sensitive (bio)molecules.…”