Size-Selective Permeation of Water-Soluble Polymers through the Bilayer Membrane of Cyclodextrin Vesicles Investigated by PFG-NMR

Abstract

Cyclodextrin vesicles (CDVs) consist of a bilayer of amphiphilic cyclodextrins (CDs). CDVs exhibit CD cavities at their surface that are able to recognize and bind hydrophobic guest molecules via size-selective inclusion. In this study, the permeability of α- and β-CDVs is investigated by pulsed field gradient-stimulated echo (PFG-STE) nuclear magnetic resonance. Diffusion experiments with water and two types of water-soluble polymers, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polypropylene glycol (PPG), revealed three main factors that influence the exchange rate and permeability of CDVs. First, the length of the hydrophobic chain of the CD amphiphile plays a crucial role. Reasonably, vesicles consisting of amphiphiles with a longer aliphatic chain are less permeable since both membrane thickness and melting temperature T(m) increase. Second, the exchange rate through the bilayer membrane depends on the molecular weight of the polymer and decreases with increasing weight of the polymer. Most interestingly, a size-selective distinction of permeation due to the embedded CDs in the bilayer membrane was found. The mechanism of permeation is shown to occur through the CD cavity, such that depending on the size of the cavity, permeation of polymers with different cross-sectional diameters takes place. Whereas PPG permeates through the membrane of β-CD vesicles, it does not permeate α-CD vesicles.