Article
Biophysics
Enamul Haque Mojumdar, Emma Sparr
Summary: The study investigates how variations in pH, ionic strength, and salt composition influence the structure and dynamics of the stratum corneum (SC) lipid and protein components. The highest molecular mobility in both lipid and protein components is observed at the lowest pH of 4.0. The study results provide new insights on how SC molecular properties respond to solution conditions, which can be beneficial in developing topical drug delivery and cosmetic formulations.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joke A. Bouwstra, Andreea Nadaban, Wim Bras, Clare McCabe, Annette Bunge, Gerrit S. Gooris
Summary: The barrier function of the skin is primarily located in the outermost layer called stratum corneum (SC), which contains lipid lamellae that play a crucial role in permeation of compounds. Analyzing the lipid composition is essential in understanding the skin barrier function and its impairment in inflammatory skin diseases.
PROGRESS IN LIPID RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Boryeong Lee, Minchul Sung, Kyounghee Shin, Jin Hyun Lee, Jin Woong Kim
Summary: This study examines the effects of ceramides with ultra-long chain and ceramides with three chains on the microphase transition of lipid assemblies. It is found that ceramides with ultra-long chain promote lateral lipid packing, while ceramides with three chains hinder lateral lipid packing. The addition of surfactants disrupts lipid packing and reduces the elasticity of lipid assemblies.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yousef A. Bin Jardan, Abdul Ahad, Mohammad Raish, Fahad I. Al-Jenoobi
Summary: Sinapic acid (SA) is a bioactive phenolic acid with diverse properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial activities. This study aimed to enhance the water solubility of SA through the formulation of SA-transethosomes and evaluate their efficacy. The optimized formulation showed high entrapment efficacy, appropriate vesicle size, and smooth surface morphology, as well as enhanced antioxidant activity and penetration ability.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shiqiang Cheng, Jiajie Hu, Chen Guo, Zhicheng Ye, Yazhuo Shang, Cheng Lian, Honglai Liu
Summary: Nanoplastics, generated from plastic waste and artificial production, have gained attention due to their wide distribution in the environment and potential risk for humans. This study investigated the interactions between nanoplastics and stratum corneum using Langmuir monolayer and molecular dynamics simulations. The results showed that larger size and surface functionalization of polystyrene nanoplastics significantly reduced the stability of the stratum corneum lipid monolayer. Cell experiments also indicated significant cytotoxicity of functionalized polystyrene nanoplastics on human dermal fibroblast cells, especially amino-modified ones. These findings provide fundamental information for understanding the health risks of nanoplastics.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lorretta E. Uche, Gerrit S. Gooris, Joke A. Bouwstra, Charlotte M. Beddoes
Summary: The presence of CER EOS is crucial for skin barrier lipid organization, with its concentration affecting lipid phase transitions and permeability. Increasing CER EOS concentration results in more lipids transitioning to the orthorhombic phase at physiological temperature, leading to higher permeability in skin models.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mariola M. Blaszczyk, Jerzy P. Sek
Summary: Nanoparticles are efficient carriers of medicals, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This study proposes a new model to predict the transport of nanoparticles through the stratum corneum. The modeling of diffusion processes of nanoparticles in a capillary provides an efficient approach to determine the transport phenomena through the skin layer.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Oly Katari, Sanyog Jain
Summary: This review highlights the use of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) in treating psoriasis, with a focus on their skin permeation behavior and incorporation of different drug molecules. The discussion also includes recent studies on single- and dual drug-loaded SLNs and NLCs, showing promising results in mitigating psoriasis and overcoming the limitations of traditional combination therapy. Further research is needed to evaluate the synergistic performance of various drug/antibody/siRNA combinations against psoriasis in clinical trials.
EXPERT OPINION ON DRUG DELIVERY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peter Sjovall, Sebastien Gregoire, William Wargniez, Lisa Skedung, Gustavo S. Luengo
Summary: This study used 3D time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry to characterize the spatial distribution of skin lipids in corneocyte multilayer squams, revealing different organizational patterns for various lipids in the SC structure. The findings have the potential to contribute to a better understanding of barrier function and penetration in the SC.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Emilia Krok, Agnieszka Batura, Madhurima Chattopadhyay, Hanna Orlikowska, Lukasz Piatkowski
Summary: Many studies have investigated phase separation and formation of lipid domains, crucial in biological processes. This study examined the formation, dynamics, and stability of phase-separated supported lipid membranes under varying pH conditions, finding a strong correlation between L-o domain size and buffer pH. Lipid dynamics are insensitive to buffer pH, and varying pH can induce specific domain formation without external modification. The lipid membrane architecture remains stable even when the aqueous medium is replaced with neutral pH buffer, making this method applicable for studies involving pH-sensitive molecules.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalia Rivero, Martha C. Daza, Markus Doerr
Summary: In some dermal diseases, skin dehydration and desquamation occur due to alterations in the natural ratio of CER[NP] and CER[AP] in the extracellular matrix of the stratum corneum. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that despite the minor chemical difference, differences in the structural influence of CER[NP] and CER[AP] were observed.
CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS OF LIPIDS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Junxi Wang, Johannes M. Nitsche, Gerald B. Kasting, Gabriel Wittum, Arne Naegel
Summary: This paper presents a computational model that extends an earlier microscopic model for permeability in two ways: allowing slow permeation of hydrophilic substances through the tissue via a microporous leakage pathway, and yielding explicit predictions of diffusivities within the tissue. The model is validated through a comparison of predictions with experimental data, showing good agreement for both hydrophilic and lipophilic solutes in vitro. The model also reveals highly anisotropic effective diffusivity due to diffusion in the lipid lamellae.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS AND BIOPHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Dermatology
Anna Novackova, Irene Sagrafena, Petra Pullmannova, Georgios Paraskevopoulos, Anupma Dwivedi, Anisha Mazumder, Karolina Ruzickova, Petr Slepicka, Jarmila Zbytovska, Katerina Vavrova
Summary: The text discusses the importance of lipid membrane remodeling in the body, focusing on skin barrier lipids and their role in maintaining a multilamellar nanostructure. Research suggests that the skin acid mantle may be a prerequisite for the multilamellar assembly of skin barrier lipids. Changes in lipid nanostructure and increased water loss were observed at neutral pH compared to acidic pH.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Dermatology
Qian Jiao, Lizhi Yue, Leilei Zhi, Yufeng Qi, Jie Yang, Cheng Zhou, Yan Jia
Summary: This paper reviews the structure, function, and influencing factors of the stratum corneum, as well as common skin diseases and solutions. The information provided is important for understanding the metabolism of the stratum corneum and for the management of its health and cosmetic research and development.
JOURNAL OF COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hiromitsu Nakazawa, Tomohiro Imai, Ichiro Hatta, Satoru Kato
Summary: In this study, low-flux electron diffraction and a statistical analysis method were introduced to compare the differences in intercellular lipid organization in the human skin stratum corneum from different areas. The results showed significant regional differences in the distribution of lipid hydrocarbon chain packing domains. The present method can be a powerful tool for scrutinizing the structural differences between skin stratum corneum under various conditions.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaoyan Liu, Joakim Stenhammar, Hakan Wennerstrom, Emma Sparr
Summary: The bending energy of the lipid membrane plays a central role in biological processes involving vesicles. By studying the response of single-component giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) to external osmotic stress, it is found that the osmotic pressure is balanced by the free energy of membrane bending. After equilibration, the exchange of external glucose solution for pure water leads to rapid formation of monodisperse daughter vesicles inside the GUVs through an endocytosis-like process. The results indicate that the bending energies stored in GUVs are higher than previously thought and have potential consequences for vesicle fusion/fission and osmotic regulation in living cells.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Isa de Boer, Ceri J. Richards, Christoffer Aberg
Summary: The study found that uptake of larger nanoparticles is hindered by competition from smaller particles, while uptake of smaller particles is promoted by competing larger particles. This phenomenon could potentially be utilized to enhance uptake of nanosized particles for drug delivery.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebecca Frankel, Emma Sparr, Sara Linse
Summary: This study investigates the aggregation of ApoA-I protein and finds that it can form globular protein-only condensates. Conversion into amyloid fibrils rich in beta-sheet structure is facilitated by oxidation or mutation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marija Dubackic, Yun Liu, Elizabeth G. Kelley, Crispin Hetherington, Michael Haertlein, Juliette M. Devos, Sara Linse, Emma Sparr, Ulf Olsson
Summary: The study reports the interaction between alpha-Synuclein and model membranes, showing that circular discs undergo shape transition after the adsorption of aSyn. When aSyn self-assembles into fibrils, aSyn molecules desorb from the bilayer discs, allowing them to recover to their original shape.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Zamrotul Izzah, Tanja R. Zijp, Christoffer Aberg, Daan J. Touw, Job F. M. van Boven
Summary: An electronic version of the Dosepak (R) (EDP) has been developed to monitor medication adherence. This study aimed to evaluate its usability and acceptance and found that the EDP was easy to use and well accepted. The study also revealed differences in adherence levels based on different measurement methods.
PATIENT PREFERENCE AND ADHERENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Quoc Dat Pham, Bruno Biatry, Sebastien Gregoire, Daniel Topgaard, Emma Sparr
Summary: The barrier function of the skin is maintained by the outermost layer called the stratum corneum. A new strategy is presented to directly measure the amount of solid chemicals dissolved in the stratum corneum under different environmental humidity conditions. This method allows for differentiation between dissolved and undissolved molecules and can be used to study the uptake of hydrophobic chemicals without the use of organic solvents.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ceri J. Richards, Majid Ahmadi, Marc C. A. Stuart, Bart J. Kooi, Christoffer Aberg, Wouter H. Roos
Summary: The lack of understanding of nanoparticle-cell membrane interactions hampers the development of effective nanodrugs. Using quantitative and methodical approaches with cell membrane models, this study reveals the influence of biomolecular corona, particle size, fluid flow, and membrane composition on adsorption and desorption processes. The findings highlight the importance of these factors in understanding and designing nanodrugs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Gunnarsson, Sandra Larsson, Monika Malak, Marica B. Ericson, Daniel Topgaard, Emma Sparr
Summary: The study investigates the molecular mobilities and structures of keratin-rich materials in the human body, such as skin, nails, and hair. The research reveals that different materials have different responses to hydration and addition of urea, which contributes to a better understanding of skin diseases and the development of new materials.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Boxuan Yang, Ceri J. Richards, Timea B. Gandek, Isa de Boer, Itxaso Aguirre-Zuazo, Else Niemeijer, Christoffer aberg
Summary: The uptake of nanoparticles by human cells is a crucial question for various applications in medicine and safety. Microscopy-based methods, particularly deep-learning algorithms like Cellpose, offer advantages in accurately identifying and analyzing cells. This study successfully applied Cellpose to fluorescence microscopy images of HeLa cells and developed a workflow for high-throughput analysis of thousands of cells without compromising accuracy. The workflow was then used to study the relationship between cell size and nanoparticle uptake using images of cells exposed to fluorescently-labeled polystyrene nanoparticles.
FRONTIERS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ceri J. Richards, Thomas C. Q. Burgers, Rifka Vlijm, Wouter H. Roos, Christoffer Aberg
Summary: This study used live-cell confocal and super-resolution stimulated emission depletion fluorescence microscopy to investigate the process of 40-200 nm carboxylated polystyrene nanoparticles entering human embryonic kidney cells. The majority of particles desorbed from the cell membrane, but interestingly, most of the internalized particles did so within seconds, independent of particle size. Additionally, a minority of particles remained at the membrane for tens of seconds to minutes before being internalized or desorbing. This research provides quantitative information about nanoparticle cell internalization times and early trafficking.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Beatrice Corci, Oscar Hooiveld, Amalia M. Dolga, Christoffer Aberg
Summary: The motion of molecules, organelles, and foreign objects within living cells has been studied in various organisms. This study focuses on the motion of mitochondria in mammalian cells and observes that mitochondria remain in a limited region for a long time before moving longer distances quickly. The motion of mitochondria shows glass-like characteristics, and this behavior is also observed in other objects and different cell types.
Meeting Abstract
Biophysics
Rafael B. Lira, Ceri Richards, Rafaela R. M. Cavalcanti, Christoffer Aberg, Karin A. Riske, Wouter H. Roos
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Simon Fridolf, Mona Koder Hamid, Leo Svenningsson, Marie Skepo, Emma Sparr, Daniel Topgaard
Summary: In this study, the impact of ganglioside GM3 on the bilayer structure and dynamics of C-H bond segments was investigated using solid-state NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. The findings revealed that GM3 affects the dynamical properties of POPC membranes, providing important insights into interactions with other biomolecules.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
T. R. Zijp, Z. Izzah, C. Aberg, C. T. Gan, S. J. L. Bakker, D. J. Touw, J. F. M. van Boven
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elisabeth Bankell, Xiaoyan Liu, Martin Lundqvist, Daniel Svensson, Karl Sward, Emma Sparr, Bengt-Olof Nilsson
Summary: LL-37 is rapidly internalized by MG63 cells and accumulates in mitochondria. It triggers the release of pro-apoptotic AIF and directly affects mitochondrial membrane structural properties.
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS REPORTS
(2022)