Interaction of polycations with cell-surface negative charges of epithelial cells

https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-4838(92)90257-EGet rights and content

The interaction between various polycations and cultured glomerular epithelial cells was studied by cell electrophoresis. It was shown that the glomerular epithelial cell presents a negatively charged surface which imparts a zeta potential of −29.0±1.5mV at the peripheral layer of the plasma membrane. The pH at which the GEC charge became 50% reduced (p Ka) was determined to be 3.0. A variety of polycations of various sizes and fixed and flexible geometrics were tested for their capacity to neutralize the cell charge. All the polycations except cytochrome c and lysozyme were capable of completely neutralizing the cell. Cytochrome c could maximally neutralize only 50% of charge and lysozyme only 72% of charge. However, reduced and ‘relaxed’ molecules of cytochrome c and lysozyme efficiently neutralized the cell surface, as did larger sized ‘flexible’ polylysines. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that all polycations are not equal in their capacity to neutralize the cell surface. Flexible molecules in contrast to molecules with rigid structures were more effective in neutralizing the cell. This may likely be due to the exposure and availability of more cationic groups in a flexible molecule which results in stabilization of interaction with cells.

References (25)

  • LevinM. et al.

    Kidney Int.

    (1989)
    LevinM. et al.

    Kidney Int.

    (1989)
  • KerjaschkiD. et al.

    J. Cell. Biol.

    (1984)
  • SeamanG.V.F.
  • RennkeH.G. et al.

    J. Cell. Biol.

    (1975)
  • BlakeC.C.F. et al.

    Nature

    (1965)
  • SeilerM.W. et al.

    Science

    (1975)
  • MohosS.C.V. et al.

    Science

    (1969)
  • NevinsT.E. et al.

    Kidney Int.

    (1981)
  • CharestP.M. et al.
  • BrownD. et al.

    Am. J. Pathol.

    (1986)
  • KunzA. et al.

    Lab. Invest.

    (1985)
  • StowJ.L. et al.
  • Cited by (72)

    • Osteoconductive layer-by-layer films of Poly(4-hydroxy-L-proline ester) (PHPE) and Tannic acid

      2018, European Polymer Journal
      Citation Excerpt :

      Besides, calcium phosphate ceramics have limitations in terms of having inherent brittleness and difficulty in processing [11]. Among synthetic biodegradable polymers, cationic polymers have come into prominence due to their enhanced interactions with the negatively charged cell membrane [12] under physiological pH, allowing cell penetration [13] and cell surface adhesion capabilities [14]. On the other hand, the high density of positively charged functional groups may make such polymers cytotoxic.

    • Label-free optical biosensor for on-line monitoring the integrated response of human B cells upon the engagement of stimulatory and inhibitory immune receptors

      2017, Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical
      Citation Excerpt :

      PLL has an excellent cell capture capability and strong irreversible adherence to metal-oxide surfaces. Various studies have documented that several cell lines, among others, fibroblast and epithelial cells possess an overall negative surface charge, and this facilitates their adhesion to positively charged surface [53,54]. Similarly, B cell membranes also have negative charges, which even increase with maturation [55], therefore the use of positively charged poly-l-lysine was a sensible selection.

    • Impedimetric cell-based biosensor for real-time monitoring of cytopathic effects induced by dengue viruses

      2015, Biosensors and Bioelectronics
      Citation Excerpt :

      Various studies have documented that adherent cell lines such as fibroblast and endothelial cells possess an overall negative surface charge, which facilitates their adhesion to positively charged surface (Somosy et al., 1986; Singh et al., 1992; Hamdan et al., 2006). This negative surface charge may be attributed to the carboxylic groups of aspartic and glutamic acid (pKa=3.9–4.2) of proteins, carboxylic groups of sialic acid (pKa=2.8) of glycoproteins, phosphate groups (pKa=2.0), and sulfate groups (pKa=1.9) of sulphated proteoglycans or glycoproteins (Singh et al., 1992). Another explanation is that their extracellular matrix is rich in negatively charged glucosaminoglycans (Somosy et al., 1986), thus suggesting that the observed cell adhesion behavior is mainly electrostatic in nature.

    • Preparation, characterization and cytocompatibility of polyurethane/ cellulose based liquid crystal composite membranes

      2012, Carbohydrate Polymers
      Citation Excerpt :

      This kind of elastic fluids in liquid crystal state made them potentially favorable for cells growth and proliferation. In the PU/LC composite, rich-OPC domains would be more elastic in comparison to rich-PPC regions due to the longer flexible branches of OPC molecules, and consequently facilitated cell adhesion (Ryser, 1967; Singh, Kasinath, & Lewis, 1992; Woltman et al., 2007). When LC was at low concentration, the LC formed discrete small size island-like droplets dispersing throughout the composite membrane surfaces.

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text