title: Osmotically induced morphological changes of extruded dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride (DODAC) dispersions.
abstract: Extruded vesicles, which are often used as models for living cells, can change their morphology when they are diluted into a hyperosmotic medium. Different morphological changes were observed with extruded dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride (DODAC) vesicles after dilution with a nonionic (sucrose) and ionic (CaCl2) osmotic agent above and below the gel-to-liquid crystalline transition temperature. By means of turbidimetry, dynamic light scattering, and cryo-transmission electron microscopy, it was seen that the vesicles only deflated when they were in the gel state, whereas in the liquid crystalline state, an ionic osmotic agent could induce twinning of the vesicles, reminiscent to endocytosis. The latter could occur as a result of the combined effects of reduced repulsion, local dehydration, and reduced bending rigidity induced by the ionic agent.
authors: Ghent University, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Particle and Interfacial Technology Group, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Gent, Belgium.
authors: Pieter
authors: P
authors: Saveyn
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Cocquyt
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Bomans
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Frederik
authors: Marcel
authors: M
authors: De Cuyper
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Van der Meeren
mesh_terms: D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry; D008027:Light; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D010316:Particle Size; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013395:Sucrose / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C015831:dimethyldioctadecylammonium; D013395:Sucrose; D002122:Calcium Chloride