Composition, functionality and structural correlates of mixed lipid monolayers at air-water interface

Abstract

Physicochemical properties of lipid monolayer depend on its composition where a blend of lipids exhibit superior behaviour than the individual component. Surface pressure (π) – area (A) isotherms of mixed monolayer (PCmix) formed by dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), palmitoleylphosphatidylcholine (POPC), soyphosphatidylcholine (SPC) and hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine (HSPC) in combination with 30 mole % cholesterol (Chol) were obtained by using Langmuir trough. Effects of dipalmitoylphosphatidyethanolamine (DPPE) on its mutual miscibility at the air-water interface with DPPC ​+ ​Chol, POPC ​+ ​Chol, HSPC ​+ ​Chol and SPC ​+ ​Chol were also investigated separately, followed by studying the effects of DPPE and dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) to PCmix ​+ ​Chol and PCmix ​+ ​DPPE ​+ ​Chol respectively. Lift-off area, minimum molecular area, excess molecular area, collapse pressure, Gibbs free energy of interfacial mixing, compressibility modulii values were evaluated by analyzing the isotherms. Deviations from the ideal mixing behaviours were dependent on the composition of the lipid blends. Surface dilatational rheology studies could assess monolayer elasticity, whereas the film morphologies were analysed by Brewster angle microscopic (BAM) studies. DPPC induced formation of condensed monolayer, whereas film rigidity was increased with the incorporation of DPPE and DPPG into mixed systems. Interactions among the lipid components of the investigated mixed systems were thoroughly discussed from the point of view of polar head and acyl chain saturation and obtained results follow the sequence: PCmix ​+ ​DPPE ​+ ​DPPG ​+ ​Chol ​> ​PCmix ​+ ​DPPE ​+ ​Chol ​> ​individual PC ​+ ​DPPE ​+ ​Chol which could be translated into the bilayer studies. Such investigation of mixed lipid is important for class of its own composition and combined results are expected to contribute in better understanding the interaction of selected lipid in proposed blend.