Work

Effect of polyphenolic dendrimers on biological and artificial lipid membranes

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The use of dendrimers as nanovectors for nucleic acids or drugs requires the understanding of their interaction with biological membranes. This study investigates the impact of 1st generation polyphenolic carbosilane dendrimers on biological and model lipid membranes using several biophysical methods. While the increase in the z-average size of DMPC/DPPG liposomes correlated with the number of caffeic acid residues included in the dendrimer structure, dendrimers that contained polyethylene glycol chains generated lower zeta potential when interacting with a liposomal membrane. The increase in the fluorescence anisotropy of DPH and TMA-DPH probes incorporated into erythrocyte membranes predicted the ability of dendrimers to affect membrane fluidity in the hydrophobic interior and hydrophilic/polar region of a lipid bilayer. The presence of caffeic acid and polyethylene glycol chains in the dendrimer structure affected the thermodynamical properties of the membrane lipid matrix. • Polyphenolic dendrimers with caffeic acid and PEG interact with lipid membranes. • Polyphenolic dendrimers made the lipid bilayer more rigid, affecting fluidity. • PEG in the dendritic scaffold altered the thermal stability of the DMPC/DPPG membrane.

Source: Chemistry and Physics of Lipids

DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2024.105444