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Membranes
Special Issues
Functional Analysis and Applications of Membrane Lipids
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Functional Analysis and Applications of Membrane Lipids

A special issue of Membranes (ISSN 2077-0375). This special issue belongs to the section "Biological Membrane Composition and Structures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 November 2022) | Viewed by 16609

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Takanori Kanazawa

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Drug Delivery Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
Interests: drug delivery system; ASO/siRNA delivery; nose-to-brain delivery; topical application; polymer-based micelles; liposomes; functional peptides; spinal cord diseases; CNS disorders
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Atsushi Shoji

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
Interests: lipid membrane; bio-analysis; biosensor
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Huadong Peng

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Interests: synthetic biology; metabolic engineering; microbial communities; lipid metabolism; biomass biorefinery; biofuel; yeast; biosensors; natural product
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biological membranes are highly dynamic structures assembled by a wide variety of amphipathic lipids. It has been pointed out that lipids constituting the cell membrane regulate not only the physical properties of membranes, i.e., stiffness and fluidity, but also conformation and activity of membrane proteins. Not all these mechanisms have been clarified, and physical, biological, and chemical compositional analysis and functional analysis of membrane lipids are important. In addition, mimicking biological membranes and imparting new functions to artificial biological membranes are expected to contribute to the development of medical and industrial fields, but these remain challenging issues.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: lipid analysis based on separation techniques, biophysics studies of biological membrane, designing interface of biological membranes, application of biological membranes, such as biosensor, drug delivery systems, (DDSs) etc.

This Issue invites high-quality research articles as well as review articles. Given your insightful works in the field, we invite you and your colleagues to submit a contribution to this Special Issue in which leading experts will describe their works, ideas, and findings.

Dr. Takanori Kanazawa
Dr. Atsushi Shoji
Dr. Huadong Peng
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Membranes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biological membranes
  • liposome
  • artificial lipid membranes
  • exosome

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 3278 KiB  
Article
Increased Tropism of Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Palmitic Acid-Treated Hepatocytes to Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells
by Momoka Yamaguchi, Takanori Kanazawa, Sumire Morino, Shingo Iioka, Yuta Watanabe, Naoki Dohi, Kenjirou Higashi, Hiromu Kondo and Tomohisa Ishikawa
Membranes 2022, 12(10), 1023; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12101023 - 21 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1996
Abstract
Myofibroblast-like activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs), which produce collagen, a major cause of liver fibrosis, are specific target cells for antifibrotic treatment. Recently, several reports have indicated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) play important roles in cell-to-cell communication through their tropism for specific cells [...] Read more.
Myofibroblast-like activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs), which produce collagen, a major cause of liver fibrosis, are specific target cells for antifibrotic treatment. Recently, several reports have indicated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) play important roles in cell-to-cell communication through their tropism for specific cells or organs. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify aHSC-directed EVs by focusing on cell-to-cell interactions in the liver under pathological conditions. EVs were derived from the hepatocyte cell line AML12 treated with or without palmitic acid (PA) and evaluated for their physical properties and uptake by the aHSC cell line LX-2. AML12-derived EVs had a mean particle diameter of 110–130 nm, negative charge, and expressed the exosomal makers CD9 and CD63. PA-treated AML12 cells released larger EVs with higher protein levels than those without PA treatment. The intracellular uptake efficacy of EVs derived from PA-treated AML12 cells into activated LX-2 cells was significantly higher than those without PA treatment. Our study revealed that PA treatment induces hepatocytes to release EVs with aHSC-tropism. These findings may contribute to the development of an EV-based drug delivery system (DDS) for aHSC-targeted therapy and provide new insights into the role of steatotic hepatocyte-derived EVs in physiological or pathophysiological functions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Analysis and Applications of Membrane Lipids)
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22 pages, 4972 KiB  
Article
Capturing the Liquid-Crystalline Phase Transformation: Implications for Protein Targeting to Sterol Ester-Rich Lipid Droplets
by R. Jay Braun and Jessica M. J. Swanson
Membranes 2022, 12(10), 949; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12100949 - 28 Sep 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2033
Abstract
Lipid droplets are essential organelles that store and traffic neutral lipids. The phospholipid monolayer surrounding their neutral lipid core engages with a highly dynamic proteome that changes according to cellular and metabolic conditions. Recent work has demonstrated that when the abundance of sterol [...] Read more.
Lipid droplets are essential organelles that store and traffic neutral lipids. The phospholipid monolayer surrounding their neutral lipid core engages with a highly dynamic proteome that changes according to cellular and metabolic conditions. Recent work has demonstrated that when the abundance of sterol esters increases above a critical concentration, such as under conditions of starvation or high LDL exposure, the lipid droplet core can undergo an amorphous to liquid-crystalline phase transformation. Herein, we study the consequences of this transformation on the physical properties of lipid droplets that are thought to regulate protein association. Using simulations of different sterol-ester concentrations, we have captured the liquid-crystalline phase transformation at the molecular level, highlighting the alignment of sterol esters in alternating orientations to form concentric layers. We demonstrate how ordering in the core permeates into the neutral lipid/phospholipid interface, changing the magnitude and nature of neutral lipid intercalation and inducing ordering in the phospholipid monolayer. Increased phospholipid packing is concomitant with altered surface properties, including smaller area per phospholipid and substantially reduced packing defects. Additionally, the ordering of sterol esters in the core causes less hydration in more ordered regions. We discuss these findings in the context of their expected consequences for preferential protein recruitment to lipid droplets under different metabolic conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Analysis and Applications of Membrane Lipids)
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10 pages, 2440 KiB  
Article
Design of a Sensitive Extracellular Vesicle Detection Method Utilizing a Surface-Functionalized Power-Free Microchip
by Ryo Ishihara, Asuka Katagiri, Tadaaki Nakajima, Ryo Matsui, Kazuo Hosokawa, Mizuo Maeda, Yasuhiro Tomooka and Akihiko Kikuchi
Membranes 2022, 12(7), 679; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12070679 - 30 Jun 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1479
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are small membrane vesicles secreted from cells into bodily fluids, are promising candidates as biomarkers for various diseases. We propose a simple, highly sensitive method for detecting EVs using a microchip. The limit of detection (LOD) for EVs was [...] Read more.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are small membrane vesicles secreted from cells into bodily fluids, are promising candidates as biomarkers for various diseases. We propose a simple, highly sensitive method for detecting EVs using a microchip. The limit of detection (LOD) for EVs was improved 29-fold by changing the microchannel structure of the microchip and by optimizing the EV detection protocols. The height of the microchannel was changed from 25 to 8 µm only at the detection region, and the time for EV capture was extended from 5 to 10 min. The LOD was 6.3 × 1010 particles/mL, which is lower than the concentration of EVs in the blood. The detection time was 19 min, and the volume of EV solution used was 2.0 µL. These results indicate that an efficient supply of EVs to the detection region is effective in improving the sensitivity of EV detection. The proposed EV detection method is expected to contribute to the establishment of EV-based cancer point-of-care testing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Analysis and Applications of Membrane Lipids)
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10 pages, 2536 KiB  
Article
Role of Interleukin-6 in the Antigen-Specific Mucosal Immunoglobulin A Responses Induced by CpG Oligodeoxynucleotide-Loaded Cationic Liposomes
by Rui Tada, Emi Honjo, Shoko Muto, Noriko Takayama, Hiroshi Kiyono, Jun Kunisawa and Yoichi Negishi
Membranes 2022, 12(6), 635; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12060635 - 20 Jun 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1775
Abstract
An advantage of mucosal vaccines over conventional parenteral vaccines is that they can induce protective immune responses not only at mucosal surfaces but also in systemic compartments. Despite this advantage, few live attenuated or inactivated mucosal vaccines have been developed and applied clinically. [...] Read more.
An advantage of mucosal vaccines over conventional parenteral vaccines is that they can induce protective immune responses not only at mucosal surfaces but also in systemic compartments. Despite this advantage, few live attenuated or inactivated mucosal vaccines have been developed and applied clinically. We recently showed that the intranasal immunization of ovalbumin (OVA) with class B synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing immunostimulatory CpG motif (CpG ODN)-loaded cationic liposomes synergistically exerted both antigen-specific mucosal immunoglobulin A (IgA) and systemic immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses in mice. However, the mechanism underlying the mucosal adjuvant activity of CpG ODN-loaded liposomes remains unknown. In the present study, we showed that the intranasal administration of CpG ODN-loaded cationic liposomes elicited interleukin (IL)-6 release in nasal tissues. Additionally, pre-treatment with an anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody attenuated antigen-specific nasal IgA production but not serum IgG responses. Furthermore, the intranasal administration of OVA and CpG ODN-loaded cationic liposomes increased the number of IgA+/CD138+ plasma cells and IgA+/B220+ B cells in the nasal passages. This increase was markedly suppressed by pre-treatment with anti-IL-6R blocking antibody. In conclusion, IL-6 released by CpG ODN-loaded cationic liposomes at the site of administration may play a role in the induction of antigen-specific IgA responses by promoting differentiation into IgA+ plasma cells for IgA secretion from B cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Analysis and Applications of Membrane Lipids)
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Review

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16 pages, 2231 KiB  
Review
A Practical Guide to Preparation and Applications of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles Formed via Centrifugation of Water-in-Oil Emulsion Droplets
by Yiting Zhang, Haruto Obuchi and Taro Toyota
Membranes 2023, 13(4), 440; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13040440 - 18 Apr 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4310
Abstract
Giant vesicles (GVs), which are closed lipid bilayer membranes with a diameter of more than 1 μm, have attracted attention not only as model cell membranes but also for the construction of artificial cells. For encapsulating water-soluble materials and/or water-dispersible particles or functionalizing [...] Read more.
Giant vesicles (GVs), which are closed lipid bilayer membranes with a diameter of more than 1 μm, have attracted attention not only as model cell membranes but also for the construction of artificial cells. For encapsulating water-soluble materials and/or water-dispersible particles or functionalizing membrane proteins and/or other synthesized amphiphiles, giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) have been applied in various fields, such as supramolecular chemistry, soft matter physics, life sciences, and bioengineering. In this review, we focus on a preparation technique for GUVs that encapsulate water-soluble materials and/or water-dispersible particles. It is based on the centrifugation of a water-in-oil emulsion layered on water and does not require special equipment other than a centrifuge, which makes it the first choice for laboratory use. Furthermore, we review recent studies on GUV-based artificial cells prepared using this technique and discuss their future applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Analysis and Applications of Membrane Lipids)
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13 pages, 2739 KiB  
Review
New Aspects of Bilayer Lipid Membranes for the Analysis of Ion Channel Functions
by Hironori Kageyama, Teng Ma, Madoka Sato, Maki Komiya, Daisuke Tadaki and Ayumi Hirano-Iwata
Membranes 2022, 12(9), 863; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12090863 - 06 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2161
Abstract
The bilayer lipid membrane (BLM) is the main structural component of cell membranes, in which various membrane proteins are embedded. Artificially formed BLMs have been used as a platform in studies of the functions of membrane proteins, including various ion channels. In this [...] Read more.
The bilayer lipid membrane (BLM) is the main structural component of cell membranes, in which various membrane proteins are embedded. Artificially formed BLMs have been used as a platform in studies of the functions of membrane proteins, including various ion channels. In this review, we summarize recent advances that have been made on artificial BLM systems for the analysis of ion channel functions. We focus on two BLM-based systems, cell-membrane mimicry and four-terminal BLM systems. As a cell-membrane-mimicking system, an efficient screening platform for the evaluation of drug side effects that act on a cell-free synthesized channel has been developed, and its prospects for use in personalized medicine will be discussed. In the four-terminal BLMs, we introduce “lateral voltage” to BLM systems as a novel input to regulate channel activities, in addition to the traditional transmembrane voltages. Such state-of-the-art technologies and new system setups are predicted to pave the way for a variety of applications, in both fundamental physiology and in drug discovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Analysis and Applications of Membrane Lipids)
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10 pages, 2220 KiB  
Review
Thermo-Statistical Effects of Inclusions on Vesicles: Division into Multispheres and Polyhedral Deformation
by Yuno Natsume
Membranes 2022, 12(6), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12060608 - 11 Jun 2022
Viewed by 2046
Abstract
The construction of simple cellular models has attracted much attention as a way to explore the origin of life or elucidate the mechanisms of cell division. In the absence of complex regulatory systems, some bacteria spontaneously divide through thermostatistically elucidated mechanisms, and incorporating [...] Read more.
The construction of simple cellular models has attracted much attention as a way to explore the origin of life or elucidate the mechanisms of cell division. In the absence of complex regulatory systems, some bacteria spontaneously divide through thermostatistically elucidated mechanisms, and incorporating these simple physical principles could help to construct primitive or artificial cells. Because thermodynamic interactions play an essential role in such mechanisms, this review discusses the thermodynamic aspects of spontaneous division models of vesicles that contain a high density of inclusions, with their membrane serving as a boundary. Vesicles with highly dense inclusions are deformed according to the volume-to-area ratio. The phase separation of beads at specific intermediate volume fractions and the associated polyhedral deformation of the membrane are considered in relation to the Alder transition. Current advances in the development of a membrane-growth vesicular model are summarized. The thermostatistical understanding of these mechanisms could become a cornerstone for the construction of vesicular models that display spontaneous cell division. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Analysis and Applications of Membrane Lipids)
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