RT Journal Article
T1 Dual mechanical impact of β-escin on model lipid membranes
A1 Hernández Moleiro, Lara
A1 Martín-Romero, María
A1 Herráez-Aguilar, Diego
A1 Santiago, Jose
A1 Caselli, Niccolo
A1 Dargel, Carina
A1 Geisler, Ramsia
A1 Hellweg, Thomas
A1 Monroy Muñoz, Francisco
AB Understanding the mechanical behavior of biological membranes is of paramount importance in cell biophysics and in developing new biomaterials for medicine. In this study, we delve into the mechanical impact of β-escin, commonly referred to as escin, a naturally occurring biosurfactant derived from the seeds of the horse chestnut tree. To examine the modulable interaction between escin and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC), which is an archetypical fluid phospholipid and an essential constituent of the cellular fluid membrane, we have used artificial models based on the liquid crystal structure, such as bilayer vesicles and Langmuir monolayers. We have focused on the energetic and kinetic aspects of escin insertion when transversally adsorbed or longitudinally integrated within these model membranes. By employing surface microscopies of epifluorescence and Brewster angle reflectivity, we have elucidated the structural phase behavior of hybrid escin–phospholipid membranes, which exhibit dual mechanical properties characterized by high rigidity and reduced fluidity. Notably, at low temperatures, we observe a soft, glassy rheological behavior reminiscent of liquid crystalline ordered phases, which turns into a fluid-like viscoelasticity resembling more disordered phases at physiological temperatures. The hybrid membranes behave in one way or another as both are driven by an adsorption potential well imposed by escin cohesivity. These intriguing findings are discussed from a physicochemical perspective, highlighting their potential for future pharmacological designs and biomedical applications that exploit the dual mechanical impact of escin on biological membranes.
SN 2813-0499
YR 2023
FD 2023
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/91083
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/91083
LA eng
NO Moleiro LH, Martín-Romero MT, Herráez-Aguilar D, Santiago JA, Caselli N, Dargel C, Geisler R, Hellweg T and Monroy F (2023). Dual mechanical impact of β-escin on model lipid membranes. Front. Soft Matter 3:1240878. doi: 10.3389/frsfm.2023.1240878
NO Ministerio de Universidades (España)
NO Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España)
NO European Commission
NO Comunidad de Madrid
NO German Research Foundation
NO Bielefeld University (Alemania)
DS Docta Complutense
RD 8 abr 2025