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Caselli L, Conti L, De Santis I, Berti D. Small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering applied to lipid-based nanoparticles: Recent advancements across different length scales. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 327:103156. [PMID: 38643519 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2024.103156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs), ranging from nanovesicles to non-lamellar assemblies, have gained significant attention in recent years, as versatile carriers for delivering drugs, vaccines, and nutrients. Small-angle scattering methods, employing X-rays (SAXS) or neutrons (SANS), represent unique tools to unveil structure, dynamics, and interactions of such particles on different length scales, spanning from the nano to the molecular scale. This review explores the state-of-the-art on scattering methods applied to unveil the structure of lipid-based nanoparticles and their interactions with drugs and bioactive molecules, to inform their rational design and formulation for medical applications. We will focus on complementary information accessible with X-rays or neutrons, ranging from insights on the structure and colloidal processes at a nanoscale level (SAXS) to details on the lipid organization and molecular interactions of LNPs (SANS). In addition, we will review new opportunities offered by Time-resolved (TR)-SAXS and -SANS for the investigation of dynamic processes involving LNPs. These span from real-time monitoring of LNPs structural evolution in response to endogenous or external stimuli (TR-SANS), to the investigation of the kinetics of lipid diffusion and exchange upon interaction with biomolecules (TR-SANS). Finally, we will spotlight novel combinations of SAXS and SANS with complementary on-line techniques, recently enabled at Large Scale Facilities for X-rays and neutrons. This emerging technology enables synchronized multi-method investigation, offering exciting opportunities for the simultaneous characterization of the structure and chemical or mechanical properties of LNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucrezia Caselli
- Physical Chemistry 1, University of Lund, S-221 00 Lund, Sweden.
| | - Laura Conti
- Consorzio Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Ilaria De Santis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
| | - Debora Berti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy; Consorzio Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
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Gu S, Zhang L, de Campo L, O'Dell LA, Wang D, Wang G, Kong L. Lyotropic Liquid Crystal (LLC)-Templated Nanofiltration Membranes by Precisely Administering LLC/Substrate Interfacial Structure. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:549. [PMID: 37367753 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13060549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Mesoporous materials based on lyotropic liquid crystal templates with precisely defined and flexible nanostructures offer an alluring solution to the age-old challenge of water scarcity. In contrast, polyamide (PA)-based thin-film composite (TFC) membranes have long been hailed as the state of the art in desalination. They grapple with a common trade-off between permeability and selectivity. However, the tides are turning as these novel materials, with pore sizes ranging from 0.2 to 5 nm, take center stage as highly coveted active layers in TFC membranes. With the ability to regulate water transport and influence the formation of the active layer, the middle porous substrate of TFC membranes becomes an essential player in unlocking their true potential. This review delves deep into the recent advancements in fabricating active layers using lyotropic liquid crystal templates on porous substrates. It meticulously analyzes the retention of the liquid crystal phase structure, explores the membrane fabrication processes, and evaluates the water filtration performance. Additionally, it presents an exhaustive comparison between the effects of substrates on both polyamide and lyotropic liquid crystal template top layer-based TFC membranes, covering crucial aspects such as surface pore structures, hydrophilicity, and heterogeneity. To push the boundaries even further, the review explores a diverse array of promising strategies for surface modification and interlayer introduction, all aimed at achieving an ideal substrate surface design. Moreover, it delves into the realm of cutting-edge techniques for detecting and unraveling the intricate interfacial structures between the lyotropic liquid crystal and the substrate. This review is a passport to unravel the enigmatic world of lyotropic liquid crystal-templated TFC membranes and their transformative role in global water challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senlin Gu
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Liangliang Zhang
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Liliana de Campo
- Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, Australia Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO), Sydney, NSW 2234, Australia
| | - Luke A O'Dell
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Dong Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Materials & Application, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Intelligent Textile Materials & Application, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Guang Wang
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Spallation Neutron Source Science Centre, Dongguan 523803, China
| | - Lingxue Kong
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
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Krueger S. Small-angle neutron scattering contrast variation studies of biological complexes: Challenges and triumphs. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 74:102375. [PMID: 35490650 PMCID: PMC10988784 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) has been a beneficial tool for studying the structure of biological macromolecules in solution for several decades. Continued improvements in sample preparation techniques, including deuterium labeling, neutron instrumentation and complementary techniques such as small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), cryo-EM, NMR and x-ray crystallography, along with the availability of more powerful structure prediction algorithms and computational resources has made SANS more important than ever as a means to obtain unique information on the structure of biological complexes in solution. In particular, the contrast variation (CV) technique, which requires a large commitment in both sample preparation and measurement time, has become more practical with the advent of these improved resources. Here, challenges and recent triumphs as well as future prospects are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Krueger
- NIST Center for Neutron Research, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA.
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Golub M, Gätcke J, Subramanian S, Kölsch A, Darwish T, Howard JK, Feoktystov A, Matsarskaia O, Martel A, Porcar L, Zouni A, Pieper J. "Invisible" Detergents Enable a Reliable Determination of Solution Structures of Native Photosystems by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:2824-2833. [PMID: 35384657 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c01591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Photosystems I (PSI) and II (PSII) are pigment-protein complexes capable of performing the light-induced charge separation necessary to convert solar energy into a biochemically storable form, an essential step in photosynthesis. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is unique in providing structural information on PSI and PSII in solution under nearly physiological conditions without the need for crystallization or temperature decrease. We show that the reliability of the solution structure critically depends on proper contrast matching of the detergent belt surrounding the protein. Especially, specifically deuterated ("invisible") detergents are shown to be properly matched out in SANS experiments by a direct, quantitative comparison with conventional matching strategies. In contrast, protonated detergents necessarily exhibit incomplete matching so that related SANS results systematically overestimate the size of the membrane protein under study. While the solution structures obtained are close to corresponding high-resolution structures, we show that temperature and solution state lead to individual structural differences compared with high-resolution structures. We attribute these differences to the presence of a manifold of conformational substates accessible by protein dynamics under physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Golub
- Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, Wilhelm Ostwald str. 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - J Gätcke
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - S Subramanian
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - A Kölsch
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - T Darwish
- National Deuteration Facility, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization, New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234, Australia
| | - J K Howard
- National Deuteration Facility, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization, New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234, Australia
| | - A Feoktystov
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) at Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ), Lichtenbergstr. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - O Matsarskaia
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs CS 20156, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - A Martel
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs CS 20156, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - L Porcar
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs CS 20156, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - A Zouni
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - J Pieper
- Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, Wilhelm Ostwald str. 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
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