Biogenic supported lipid bilayers as a tool to investigate nano-bio interfaces

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2020.03.014

Authors: Costanza Montis (University of Florence; CSGI) , Annalisa Salvatore (University of Florence; CSGI) , Francesco Valle (ISMN-CNR; CSGI) , Lucia Paolini (University of Brescia; CSGI) , Francesco Carla (ESRF; Diamond Light Source) , Paolo Bergese (University of Brescia; CSGI) , Debora Berti (University of Florence; CSGI)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Journal Of Colloid And Interface Science , VOL 570 , PAGES 340 - 349

State: Published (Approved)
Published: June 2020

Abstract: Hypothesis: Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) are natural nanosized lipid vesicles involved in most intercellular communication pathways. Given their nature, they represent natural cell membrane models, with intermediate complexity between real and synthetic lipid membranes. Here we compare EVs-derived (EVSLB) and synthetic Supported Lipid Bilayers (SLBs) in the interaction with cationic superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). The aim is twofold: (i) exploit SPIONs as nanometric probes to investigate the features of EVSLBs as novel biogenic platforms; (ii) contribute at improving the knowledge on the behavior of SPIONs with biological interfaces. Experiments: Quartz Crystal Microbalance, X-ray Reflectivity, Grazing-incidence Small-angle X-ray Scattering, Atomic Force Microscopy, Confocal Microscopy data on SPIONs-EVSLB were systematically compared to those on SPIONs challenging synthetic SLBs, taken as references. Findings: The ensemble of experimental results highlights the much stronger interaction of SPIONs with EVSLBs with respect to synthetic SLBs. This evidence strongly supports the hypotheses on the peculiar structure of EVSLBs, with cushioned non-flat areas and extended exposed surface; in addition, it suggests that these features are relevant in the response of biogenic membranes to nano-objects. These findings contribute to the fundamental knowledge on EVSLBs, key for their development both as biomimetic membranes, or as platforms for biomedical applications.

Journal Keywords: Extracellular vesicles; Exosomes; Supported lipid bilayers; SPIONs; Nano-bio interface; Biomimetic membranes

Subject Areas: Biology and Bio-materials, Chemistry

Facility: ESRF