Combined depletion and electrostatic forces in polymer-induced membrane adhesion: A theoretical model

Hydrodynamic enhancement of the diffusion rate in the region between two fluctuating membranes in close opposition: a theoretical and computational study

Periodic variation of the distance between two weakly adhering bodies gives rise to a huge tangential motions of the sandwiched solvent layer (squeezing flow). Oscillations either can be induced by an external applied field or can spontaneously arise from the coupling with the solvent heat bath. First we calculated by the Navier-Stokes equation the components of the fluid velocity near two oscillating juxtaposed plates. Then we evaluated the influence of plate oscillations on the transport properties of a trace diffusant dissolved at t = 0 in the outer medium for both deterministic and stochastic excitations. By employing both analytical (Fokker-Planck) and coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we proved that the entry and migration rates of the diffusant sharply increases with the oscillation amplitudes. Enhancement was related to relevant parameters like oscillation frequency, fluid layer thickness, fluid viscosity, and temperature. An extension to the case of oscillating multistacked lamellae has been also made. Theoretical and MD results suggest a significant enhancement of the diffusant flux even in the worse situation of thermally excited small amplitude fluctuations. Excitation arising from other sources (e.g., microwave or ultrasound irradiation of solid-fluid layered systems) could have a dramatic effect on the transport phenomena. Possible implications to relevant biological problems have been discussed.

Anomalous viscosity effect in the early stages of the ion-assisted adhesion/fusion event between lipid bilayers: a theoretical and computational study

The effect of viscosity on the encounter rate of two interacting membranes was investigated by combining a non-equilibrium Fokker-Planck model together with extensive Molecular Dynamics (MD) calculations. The encounter probability and stabilization of transient contact points represent the preliminary steps toward short-range adhesion and fusion of lipid leaflets. To strengthen our analytical model, we used a Coarse Grained MD method to follow the behavior of two charged palmitoyl oleoyl phosphatidylglycerol membranes embedded in a electrolyte-containing box at different viscosity regimes. Solvent friction was modulated by varying the concentration of a neutral, water-soluble polymer, polyethylene glycol, while contact points were stabilized by divalent ions that form bridges among juxtaposed membranes. While a naïve picture foresees a monotonous decrease of the membranes encounter rate with solvent viscosity, both the analytical model and MD simulations show a complex behavior. Under particular conditions, the encounter rate could exhibit a maximum at a critical viscosity value or for a critical concentration of bridging ions. These results seem to be confirmed by experimental observations taken from the literature.