title: Complexation of anionic liposomes with spherical polycationic brushes.
abstract: Spherical polycationic brushes, consisting of polystyrene particles with linear cationic macromolecules grafted onto their surfaces, were electrostatically complexed with small unilamellar anionic liposomes. Complexation was monitored using a multimethod approach that included laser electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering, fluorescence, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, and conductivity. Liposomes adsorb onto the outer edges of the brushes rather than penetrate into their dense polycationic layer. The integrity of the liposomes remains unaltered when the liposomes reside on the polycationic brushes. The resulting complexes (roughly 40 liposomes per brush) do not dissociate into their components upon exposure to physiological solutions. The system is potentially useful in that liposomes are gathered into well-defined clusters with a high encapsulating potential. Multicomponent constructs can be easily prepared if polycationic brushes are allowed to bind to a mixture of liposomes that encapsulate different guests. This work provides an example of "systems chemistry" whereby as many as eight components, each with its own particular location and function (i.e., polystyrene core, polycationic graft, egg lecithin, cardiolipin, two fluorescent dyes, water, and buffer), collectively self-assemble.
authors: Department of Chemistry, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1-3, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation.
authors: Andrey V
authors: AV
authors: Sybachin
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Ballauff
authors: Ellina
authors: E
authors: Kesselman
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Schmidt
authors: Yeshayahu
authors: Y
authors: Talmon
authors: Larisa
authors: L
authors: Tsarkova
authors: Fredric M
authors: FM
authors: Menger
authors: Alexander A
authors: AA
authors: Yaroslavov
mesh_terms: D057446:Hydrodynamics; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry*; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D008081:Liposomes; D011137:Polystyrenes