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Domínguez SE, Vuolle A, Fattori A, Ääritalo T, Cangiotti M, Damlin P, Ottaviani MF, Kvarnström C. Enhancement of charge-assisted hydrogen bond capabilities due to O-alkylation proximity in alkoxy cationic polythiophenes: solution- and solid-state evidence via EPR, AFM and surface free energy. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:6011-6025. [PMID: 35199803 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp04792b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Despite the array of applications for cationic polythiophenes (CPTs), there is still a need for structure-function guidelines and mechanistic understanding of their solution- and solid-state properties. This work presents a solution- and solid-state investigation of the effect of O-alkylation proximity on the hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) capabilities of alkoxy-CPTs, based on comparing an imidazolium alkoxy CPT with strong cation-pi, pi+ and positive charge-assisted hydrogen bonding (+CAHB) capabilities (PIMa), with two isothiouronium alkoxy CPTs with two-point +CAHB capabilities (PT1 & PT2), which have short and long alkoxy side chains, respectively. Our results show that a closer proximity of O-alkylation strengthens the +CAHB capabilities of PT1: in aqueous solutions, PT2 aggregates have a stronger interaction with cationic EPR spin probes than aggregates of PIMa and PT1, which in turn show a similar extent of repulsion towards the cationic spin probes. In solid-state, atomic force microscopy (AFM) shows that PIMa generates dendritic structures onto mica, with features of diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA), indicating strong interactions with the anionic substrate due to a high configurational entropy during spreading, regardless of being drop-casted from water or 1,4-dioxane-water (W-DI), despite the latter disturbing H-bonding due to selective solvation. PT1 is also capable of generating dendritic structures resembling ballistic aggregation (BA). However, this occurs only when casting from water, since W-DI generates island-like aggregates resembling attachment limited aggregation (ALA), which is the morphology generated by PT2 regardless of the solvent. Finally, spin-coated films of PIMa and PT1 show similar dispersivity of the surface free energy (SFE), which in turn is larger than that in PT2 films, which are also more affected when casted from W-DI, presenting much larger decreases of dispersivity. These results constitute a novel empirical structure-function guideline that could be useful for optimal design and/or processing of alkoxy CPTs. For example, dendritic patterns have recently gained attention since the colloidal droplet drying is related to engineering applications including inkjet printing, biosensing, and functional material design, while the SFE is relevant for opto- and bio-electronic applications of conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs). This information could also be useful when analyzing previous results obtained from alkoxy CPTs with different side chain lengths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio E Domínguez
- Department of Chemistry, Turku University Centre for Materials and Surfaces (MATSURF), University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland.
| | - Antti Vuolle
- Department of Chemistry, Turku University Centre for Materials and Surfaces (MATSURF), University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland.
| | - Alberto Fattori
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences (DiSPeA), University of Urbino, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Timo Ääritalo
- Department of Chemistry, Turku University Centre for Materials and Surfaces (MATSURF), University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland.
| | - Michela Cangiotti
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences (DiSPeA), University of Urbino, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Pia Damlin
- Department of Chemistry, Turku University Centre for Materials and Surfaces (MATSURF), University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland.
| | - M Francesca Ottaviani
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences (DiSPeA), University of Urbino, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Carita Kvarnström
- Department of Chemistry, Turku University Centre for Materials and Surfaces (MATSURF), University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland.
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de Santis A, Vitiello G, Appavou MS, Scoppola E, Fragneto G, Barnsley LC, Clifton LA, Ottaviani MF, Paduano L, Russo Krauss I, D'Errico G. Not just a fluidifying effect: omega-3 phospholipids induce formation of non-lamellar structures in biomembranes. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:10425-10438. [PMID: 33165495 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01549k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is found in very high concentrations in a few peculiar tissues, suggesting that it must have a specialized role. DHA was proposed to affect the function of the cell membrane and related proteins through an indirect mechanism of action, based on the DHA-phospholipid effects on the lipid bilayer structure. In this respect, most studies have focused on its influence on lipid-rafts, somehow neglecting the analysis of effects on liquid disordered phases that constitute most of the cell membranes, by reporting in these cases only a general fluidifying effect. In this study, by combining neutron reflectivity, cryo-transmission electron microscopy, small angle neutron scattering, dynamic light scattering and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, we characterize liquid disordered bilayers formed by the naturally abundant 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and different contents of a di-DHA glycero-phosphocholine, 22:6-22:6PC, from both a molecular/microscopic and supramolecular/mesoscopic viewpoint. We show that, below a threshold concentration of about 40% molar percent, incorporation of 22:6-22:6PC in the membrane increases the lipid dynamics slightly but sufficiently to promote the membrane deformation and increase of multilamellarity. Notably, beyond this threshold, 22:6-22:6PC disfavours the formation of lamellar phases, leading to a phase separation consisting mostly of small spherical particles that coexist with a minority portion of a lipid blob with water-filled cavities. Concurrently, from a molecular viewpoint, the polyunsaturated acyl chains tend to fold and expose the termini to the aqueous medium. We propose that this peculiar tendency is a key feature of the DHA-phospholipids making them able to modulate the local morphology of biomembranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augusta de Santis
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
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3
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Domínguez SE, Vuolle A, Cangiotti M, Fattori A, Ääritalo T, Damlin P, Ottaviani MF, Kvarnström C. Cationic Imidazolium Polythiophenes: Effects of Imidazolium-Methylation on Solution Concentration-Driven Aggregation and Surface Free Energy of Films Processed from Solvents with Different Polarity. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:2278-2290. [PMID: 32027512 PMCID: PMC7497652 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b03095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cationic imidazolium-functionalized polythiophenes with single- or double-methylation of the imidazolium ring were used to study the impact of imidazolium-methylation on (i) the solution concentration-driven aggregation in the presence of paramagnetic probes with different ionic and hydrophobic constituents and (ii) their surface free energy (SFE) as spin-coated films deposited on plasma-activated glass. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy shows that the differences in film structuration between the polymers with different methylations originate from the early stages of aggregation. In the solid state, higher degree of imidazolium-methylation generates smaller values of total SFE, γS, (by around 2 mN/m), which could be relevant in optoelectronic applications. Methylation also causes a decrease in the polar contribution of γS (γSp), suggesting that methylation decreases the polar nature of the imidazolium ring, probably due to the blocking of its H-bonding capabilities. The values of γS obtained in the present work are similar to the values obtained for doped films of neutral conjugated polymers, such as polyaniline, poly(3-hexylthiophene), and polypyrrole. However, imidazolium-polythiophenes generate films with a larger predominance of the dispersive component of γS (γSd), probably due to the motion restriction in the ionic functionalities in a conjugated polyelectrolyte, in comparison to regular dopants. The presence of 1,4-dioxane increases γSp, especially, in the polymer with larger imidazolium-methylation (and therefore unable to interact through H-bonding), probably by a decrease of the imidazolium-glass interactions. Singly-methylated imidazolium polythiophenes have been applied as electrode selective ("buffer") interlayers in conventional and inverted organic solar cells, improving their performance. However, clear structure-function guidelines are still needed for designing high-performance polythiophene-based interlayer materials. Therefore, the information reported in this work could be useful for such applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio E. Domínguez
- Department
of Chemistry, Turku University Centre for Materials and Surfaces (MATSURF), University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Antti Vuolle
- Department
of Chemistry, Turku University Centre for Materials and Surfaces (MATSURF), University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Michela Cangiotti
- Department
of Pure and Applied Sciences (DiSPeA), University
of Urbino, Via Ca’
Le Suore 2/4, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Alberto Fattori
- Department
of Pure and Applied Sciences (DiSPeA), University
of Urbino, Via Ca’
Le Suore 2/4, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Timo Ääritalo
- Department
of Chemistry, Turku University Centre for Materials and Surfaces (MATSURF), University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Pia Damlin
- Department
of Chemistry, Turku University Centre for Materials and Surfaces (MATSURF), University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
| | - M. Francesca Ottaviani
- Department
of Pure and Applied Sciences (DiSPeA), University
of Urbino, Via Ca’
Le Suore 2/4, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Carita Kvarnström
- Department
of Chemistry, Turku University Centre for Materials and Surfaces (MATSURF), University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
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John G, Nagarajan S, Vemula PK, Silverman JR, Pillai C. Natural monomers: A mine for functional and sustainable materials – Occurrence, chemical modification and polymerization. Prog Polym Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Domínguez SE, Cangiotti M, Fattori A, Ääritalo T, Damlin P, Ottaviani MF, Kvarnström C. Effect of Spacer Length and Solvent on the Concentration-Driven Aggregation of Cationic Hydrogen-Bonding Donor Polythiophenes. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2018; 34:7364-7378. [PMID: 29783844 PMCID: PMC6150719 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b00808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Aggregation of cationic isothiouronium polythiophenes with alkoxy-spacers of different lengths at the 3-position of the thiophene ring was studied in solvents of different polarities. Hydrogen-bonding capacity was assessed by steady-state absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, whereas the aggregation in aqueous solutions was studied by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, using paramagnetic probes of different polarities. The two polymers displayed similar features in respect to conformation, effect of cosolvents on aggregation, unstructured absorption-fluorescence spectra, Stokes shifts when aggregated, solvatochromic effect, and self-quenching concentration. However, these polymers also showed different specific interactions with water, Stokes shifts in water, effect of the solvent on the extent of dominant state of the S1 level, and also different inner cavities and hydrophobic-hydrophilic surface area in aqueous solution aggregates. Water maximized the difference between the polymers concerning the effect of specific increases in concentration, whereas the presence of 1,4-dioxane generated almost identical effects on both polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. E. Domínguez
- Turku
University Centre for Materials and Surfaces (MATSURF), Laboratory
of Materials Chemistry and Chemical Analysis, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
| | - M. Cangiotti
- Department
of Earth, Life and Environment Sciences (DiSTeVA), University of Urbino, Via Ca’ Le Suore 2/4, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - A. Fattori
- Department
of Earth, Life and Environment Sciences (DiSTeVA), University of Urbino, Via Ca’ Le Suore 2/4, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - T. Ääritalo
- Turku
University Centre for Materials and Surfaces (MATSURF), Laboratory
of Materials Chemistry and Chemical Analysis, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
| | - P. Damlin
- Turku
University Centre for Materials and Surfaces (MATSURF), Laboratory
of Materials Chemistry and Chemical Analysis, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
| | - M. F. Ottaviani
- Department
of Earth, Life and Environment Sciences (DiSTeVA), University of Urbino, Via Ca’ Le Suore 2/4, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - C. Kvarnström
- Turku
University Centre for Materials and Surfaces (MATSURF), Laboratory
of Materials Chemistry and Chemical Analysis, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
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Deriu MA, Cangiotti M, Grasso G, Licandro G, Lavasanifar A, Tuszynski JA, Ottaviani MF, Danani A. Self-Assembled Ligands Targeting TLR7: A Molecular Level Investigation. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2017; 33:14460-14471. [PMID: 29200306 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b03168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition transmembrane proteins that play an important role in innate immunity. In particular, TLR7 plays a role in detecting nucleic acids derived from viruses and bacteria. The huge number of pathologies in which TLR7 is involved has led to an increasing interest in developing new compounds targeting this protein. Several conjugation strategies were proposed for TLR7 agonists to increase the potency while maintaining a low toxicity. In this work, we focus the attention on two promising classes of TLR7 compounds derived from the same pharmacophore conjugated with phospholipid and polyethylene glycol (PEG). A multidisciplinary investigation has been carried out by molecular dynamics (MD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and cytotoxicity assessment. DLS and MD indicated how only the phospholipid conjugation provides the compound abilities to self-assemble in an orderly fashion with a maximal pharmacophore exposition to the solvent. Further EPR and cytotoxicity experiments highlighted that phospholipid compounds organize in stable aggregates and well interact with TLR7, whereas PEG conjugation was characterized by poorly stable aggregates at the cells surface. The methodological framework proposed in this study may be used to investigate, at a molecular level, the interactions generally occurring between aggregated ligands, to be used as drugs, and protein receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco A Deriu
- Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana (SUPSI), Istituto Dalle Molle di Studi Sull'Intelligenza Artificiale (IDSIA), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI) , Manno CH-6928, Switzerland
| | - Michela Cangiotti
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Urbino , Via Ca' Le Suore 2/4, Urbino,Marche 61029, Italy
| | - Gianvito Grasso
- Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana (SUPSI), Istituto Dalle Molle di Studi Sull'Intelligenza Artificiale (IDSIA), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI) , Manno CH-6928, Switzerland
| | - Ginevra Licandro
- Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana (SUPSI), Istituto Dalle Molle di Studi Sull'Intelligenza Artificiale (IDSIA), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI) , Manno CH-6928, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Maria Francesca Ottaviani
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Urbino , Via Ca' Le Suore 2/4, Urbino,Marche 61029, Italy
| | - Andrea Danani
- Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana (SUPSI), Istituto Dalle Molle di Studi Sull'Intelligenza Artificiale (IDSIA), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI) , Manno CH-6928, Switzerland
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Perinelli DR, Cespi M, Casettari L, Vllasaliu D, Cangiotti M, Ottaviani MF, Giorgioni G, Bonacucina G, Palmieri GF. Correlation among chemical structure, surface properties and cytotoxicity of N-acyl alanine and serine surfactants. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2016; 109:93-102. [PMID: 27693676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2016.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Toxicity is one of the main concerns limiting the use of surfactants. Many efforts have been devoted to the development of new amphiphilic molecules characterized by a lower toxicological profile and environmental impact. N-acyl amino acids are a class of anionic surfactants that can find applications in different technological fields as an alternative to sulphate-based surfactants (e.g., sodium dodecyl sulphate). The understanding of the relationship between chemical structure and toxicological profile is fundamental for the disclosure of the full potential of these amphiphiles. With this aim, two series of N-acyl surfactants, with different length of the hydrophobic tails and serine or alanine as polar head, were synthesized and fully characterized. The correlation between the surface and toxicological parameters allowed highlighting the role exerted by the length of the hydrocarbon chain and the polar head on cytotoxicity. The length of the hydrocarbon chain mainly influences surface properties and toxicological parameters, while the amino acid polar head may play a key role only on cellular toxicity. Overall, our data suggest that minor differences in the polar head, not significantly affecting CMC values, may have an impact on cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Cespi
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy
| | - Luca Casettari
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Urbino, 61029 Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Driton Vllasaliu
- School of Pharmacy, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Green Lane, Lincoln LN6 7DL, UK
| | - Michela Cangiotti
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Urbino, Urbino 61029, Italy
| | | | | | - Giulia Bonacucina
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy
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Fontana A, Guernelli S, Zaccheroni N, Zappacosta R, Genovese D, De Crescentini L, Riela S. Micellization properties of cardanol as a renewable co-surfactant. Org Biomol Chem 2015. [PMID: 26223697 DOI: 10.1039/c5ob01059d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
With the aim to improve the features of surfactant solutions in terms of sustainability and renewability we propose the use of hydrogenated natural and sustainable plant-derived cardanol as an additive to commercial surfactants. In the present study we demonstrated that its addition, in amounts as high as 10%, to commercial surfactants of different charge does not significantly affect surfactant properties. Conversely, the presence of hydrogenated cardanol can strongly affect spectrophotometric determination of CMC if preferential interactions with the dyes used take place. This latter evidence may be profitably exploited in surfactant manufacturing by considering that the concurrent presence of a rigid organic molecule such as Orange OT and 10% hydrogenated cardanol decreases the CMC of CTAB up to 65 times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Fontana
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università"G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
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Fouquet T, Fetzer L, Mertz G, Puchot L, Verge P. Photoageing of cardanol: characterization, circumvention by side chain methoxylation and application for photocrosslinkable polymers. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra02858b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Photoageing of cardanol and its limitation by methoxylation of the side chain to produce photocrosslinkable copolymers of tunable reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Fouquet
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST)
- 4362 Esch/Alzette
- Luxembourg
| | - L. Fetzer
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST)
- 4362 Esch/Alzette
- Luxembourg
| | - G. Mertz
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST)
- 4362 Esch/Alzette
- Luxembourg
| | - L. Puchot
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST)
- 4362 Esch/Alzette
- Luxembourg
| | - P. Verge
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST)
- 4362 Esch/Alzette
- Luxembourg
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Vitiello G, Di Marino S, D'Ursi AM, D'Errico G. Omega-3 fatty acids regulate the interaction of the Alzheimer's aβ(25-35) peptide with lipid membranes. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2013; 29:14239-14245. [PMID: 24144219 DOI: 10.1021/la403416b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids are increasingly proposed as dietary supplements able to reduce the risk of development or progression of the Alzheimer's disease (AD). To date, the molecular mechanism through which these lipids act has not been yet univocally identified. In this work, we investigate whether omega-3 fatty acids could interfere with the fate of the Alzheimer-related amyloid peptide by tuning the microstructural and dynamical properties of the neuronal membrane. To this aim, the influence of the omega-3 lipid, 1,2-didocosahexaenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [22:6(cis)PC] on the biophysical properties of lipid bilayers, and on their interaction with the amyloid peptide fragment Aβ(25-35) has been investigated by Electron Spin Resonance (ESR), using spin-labeled phospholipids. The results show that the peptide selectively interacts with bilayers enriched in cholesterol (Chol) and sphingomyelin (SM). [22:6(cis)PC] enhances the Aβ(25-35)/membrane interaction, favoring a deeper internalization of the peptide among the lipid acyl chains and, consequently, hindering its pathogenic self-aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Vitiello
- Department of Chemical Science, University of Naples ''Federico II'' , Complesso di Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Naples, Italy
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