Interaction of triblock copolymers (Pluronic (R)) with DMPC vesicles: a photophysical and computational study

Author(s)

Calori, Italo Rodrigo ; Pinheiro, Lukas ; Braga, Gustavo ; Pedroso de Morais, Flavia Amanda ; Caetano, Wilker ; Tedesco, Antonio Claudio ; Hioka, Noboru

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY; v. 275, p. 10-pg., 2022-07-05.

Abstract

Pluronic/lipid mix promises stealth liposomes with long circulation time and long-term stability for pharmaceutical applications. However, the influence of Pluronics on several aspects of lipid membranes has not been fully elucidated. Herein it was described the effect of Pluronics on the structured water, alkyl chain conformation, and kinetic stability of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) liposomes using interfacial and deeper fluorescent probes along with computational molecular modeling data. Interfacial water changed as a function of Pluronics' hydrophobicity with polypropylene oxide (PPO) anchoring the copolymers in the lipid bilayer. Pluronics with more than 30-40 PO units had facilitated penetration at the bilayer while shorter PPO favored a more interfacial interaction. Low Pluronic concentrations provided long-term stability of vesicles by steric effects of polyethylene oxide (PEO), but high amounts destabilized the vesicles as a sum of water-bridge cleavage at the polar head group and the reduced alkyl-alkyl interactions among the lipids. The high kinetic stability of Pluronic/DMPC vesicles is a proof-of-concept of its advantages and applicability in nanotechnology over conventional liposome-based pharmaceutical products for future biomedical applications. (C) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/04507-6 - HYDROGENLS CONFINED IN 3D PRINTED MATRIX TO CONTROLLED AND SITE-SPECIFIC DELIVERY OF INGENOL-3-DODECANOATE AND FLUOROCHROME FOR PHOTODIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPY OF CEREBRAL TUMORS
• Grantee: Italo Rodrigo Calori
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 13/50181-1 - Use of drugs containing nanocarriers with photosensitizers and/or other active compounds applied to cell therapy and treatment of central nervous system disorders
• Grantee: Antonio Claudio Tedesco
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants