Bioactivity Of Lysozyme Research Articles

Understanding the effects of carboxymethyl cellulose on the bioactivity of lysozyme at different mass ratios and thermal treatments

Lysozyme (Ly) is an excellent natural preservative to prolong the storage and shelf life of food products. However, its bioactivity is often compromised when it coexists with negatively charged polysaccharides due to their unfavorable electrostatic interactions. In this study, we investigated the influence of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) on Ly structure and bioactivity under the different CMC and Ly mass ratios and thermal treatments. The CMC-Ly complexes were characterized by turbidity, protein intrinsic and extrinsic (isothiocyanate labeled) fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies. The bioactivities of Ly were determined via enzymatic activity and inhibition zone methods. The results showed that their interactions could be modulated by the mass ratios of CMC to Ly. The strongest interactions were found at the mass ratio of 1:5, leading to the significant structural changes and thus the least heating stability of Ly. As a result, its enzymatic and antibacterial activities were restrained at the maximum level at this mass ratio owing to the strongest screening effects on the active sites, aggregation of Ly molecules, altering the spatial structure and neutralizing the surface charges. Notably, further increasing CMC concentration weakened their interactions and thus the complexes dissociated until at the mass ratio of 1:1, which, however, was helpful to recapture the bioactivities of Ly. When the CMC: Ly ratio was higher than 1:1, the bioactivities of Ly were diminished again, possibly due to the steric-hindrance effect of excessive CMC. Thermal denaturation further restrained the enzymatic activities of Ly in CMC-Ly complex. Whereas CMC remained the antibacterial activity of Ly at high temperature heating. In a nut shell, our findings from this work shed some light on the possible mechanistic explanation of negative effects from polysaccharides on the bioactivity of Ly during food processing.

Production of Lysozyme-PLGA-Loaded Microparticles for Controlled Release Using Hot-Melt Extrusion.

Biopharmaceuticals are usually administered intravenously with frequent dosing regimens which may decrease patient compliance. Controlled-release formulations allow to reduce the frequency of injections while providing a constant dosing of the biopharmaceutical over extended periods. These formulations are typically produced by emulsions, requiring high amounts of organic solvents and have limited productivity. Hot-melt extrusion (HME) is an alternative technology to produce controlled drug delivery systems. It is a continuous solvent-free process, leading to a small ecological footprint and higher productivity. However, it may induce thermolabile compounds' degradation. In this work, the impact of the formulation and extrusion temperature on lysozyme's bioactivity and release profile of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based extended release formulations were evaluated using a design-of-experiments (DoE) approach. The lysozyme-loaded PLGA microparticles were produced by HME followed by milling. It was observed that the in vitro release (IVR) profile was mainly affected by the drug load; higher drug load led to higher burst and total lysozyme release after 14days. HME temperature seemed to decrease lysozyme's activity although this correlation was not statistically significant (p value = 0.0490). Adding polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) as a plasticizer to the formulation had no significant impact on the lysozyme release profile. The burst release was effectively mitigated with the inclusion of a washing step. Washing the microparticles with water reduced the burst release by 80% whereas washing them with a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) aqueous solution eliminated it. In conclusion, HME is demonstrated to be suitable in producing controlled-release microparticles of small biopharmaceuticals. Graphical abstract.

Investigation of factors affecting the stability of lysozyme spray dried from ethanol-water solutions

Formulation composition and processing conditions can be adjusted to enhance the structural integrity as well as the bioactivity of proteins in the spray drying process. In this study, lysozyme was chosen as a model pharmaceutical protein to study these aspects when spray drying from water-ethanol mixtures. The effect of formulation additives (trehalose, Tween 20 and phosphate-buffered saline) and processing conditions (inlet temperature and storage time of lysozyme in the feed solution before the spray drying process) on the protein bioactivity was investigated. The results showed that the bioactivities of spray dried lysozyme with these additives were about 5–10% higher than that without additives. The bioactivity of the spray dried lysozyme was found to increase with a decrease in the inlet temperature from 130°C to 80°C, with similar findings when shortening the storage time of the feed solutions prior to spray drying. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Circular Dichroism (CD) results showed that the native structures of lysozyme were largely restored upon reconstitution of the spray dried powder in water after the spray drying process. This suggests that the bioactivity of lysozyme could be preserved adequately by optimization of both the formulation composition and process conditions even when spray drying from a water-ethanol mixture.

Surface Plasmon Resonance based sensing of lysozyme in serum on Micrococcus lysodeikticus-modified graphene oxide surfaces

Lysozyme is an enzyme found in biological fluids, which is upregulated in leukemia, renal diseases as well as in a number of inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases. We present here the development of a novel lysozyme sensing concept based on the use of Micrococcus lysodeikticus whole cells adsorbed on graphene oxide (GO)-coated Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) interfaces. M. lysodeikticus is a typical enzymatic substrate for lysozyme. Unlike previously reported sensors which are based on the detection of lysozyme through bioaffinity interactions, the bioactivity of lysozyme will be used here for sensing purposes. Upon exposure to lysozyme containing serum, the integrity of the bacterial cell wall is affected and the cells detach from the GO based interfaces, causing a characteristic decrease in the SPR signal. This allows sensing the presence of clinically relevant concentrations of lysozyme in undiluted serum samples.

Alginate Microencapsulation for Oral Immunisation of Finfish: Release Characteristics, Ex Vivo Intestinal Uptake and In Vivo Administration in Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar L.

This study examined the feasibility of alginate microcapsules manufactured using a low-impact technology and reagents to protect orally delivered immunogens for use as immunoprophylactics for fish. Physical characteristics and protein release kinetics of the microcapsules were examined at different pH and temperature levels using a microencapsulated model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA). Impact of the microencapsulation process on contents was determined by analysing change in bioactivity of microencapsulated lysozyme. Feasibility of the method for oral immunoprophylaxis of finfish was assessed using FITC-labelled microcapsules. These were applied to distal intestinal explants of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to investigate uptake ex vivo. Systemic distribution of microcapsules was investigated by oral administration of FITC-labelled microcapsules to Atlantic salmon fry by incorporating into feed. The microcapsules produced were structurally robust and retained surface integrity, with a modal size distribution of 250-750 nm and a tendency to aggregate. Entrapment efficiency of microencapsulation was 51.2 % for BSA and 43.2 % in the case of lysozyme. Microcapsules demonstrated controlled release of protein, which increased with increasing pH or temperature, and the process had no significant negative effect on bioactivity of lysozyme. Uptake of fluorescent-labelled microcapsules was clearly demonstrated by intestinal explants over a 24-h period. Evidence of microcapsules was found in the intestine, spleen, kidney and liver of fry following oral administration. Amenability of the microcapsules to intestinal uptake and distribution reinforced the strong potential for use of this microencapsulation method in oral immunoprophylaxis of finfish using sensitive immunogenic substances.

Thiol-ene photopolymerizations provide a facile method to encapsulate proteins and maintain their bioactivity.

Photoinitiated polymerization remains a robust method for fabrication of hydrogels, as these reactions allow facile spatial and temporal control of gelation and high compatibility for encapsulation of cells and biologics. The chain-growth reaction of macromolecular monomers, such as acrylated PEG and hyaluronan, is commonly used to form hydrogels, but there is growing interest in step-growth photopolymerizations, such as the thiol–ene “click” reaction, as an alternative. Thiol–ene reactions are not susceptible to oxygen inhibition and rapidly form hydrogels using low initiator concentrations. In this work, we characterize the differences in recovery of bioactive proteins when exposed to similar photoinitiation conditions during thiol–ene versus acrylate polymerizations. Following exposure to chain polymerization of acrylates, lysozyme bioactivity was approximately 50%; after step-growth thiol–ene reaction, lysozyme retained nearly 100% of its prereaction activity. Bioactive protein recovery was enhanced 1000-fold in the presence of a thiol–ene reaction, relative to recovery from solutions containing identical primary radical concentrations, but without the thiol–ene components. When the cytokine TGFβ was encapsulated in PEG hydrogels formed via the thiol–ene reaction, full protein bioactivity was preserved.

Conformational changes and bioactivity of lysozyme on binding to and desorption from magnetite nanoparticles

A fundamental understanding of the conformational behaviors of lysozyme during the process of adsorption and desorption has been studied using spectrophotometric techniques, and interpreted in terms of the secondary structures in this work. FTIR data show an increase in α-helix and β-sheet content when lysozyme interaction with magnetite nanoparticles (Fe 3O 4 (PEG + CM-CTS) NPs) which indicates that the lysozyme would adopt a more compact conformation state. The mechanism of fluorescence quenching of lysozyme by magnetite nanoparticles is due to the formation of lysozyme–nanoparticles complex. High desorption of lysozyme from Fe 3O 4 (PEG + CM-CTS) NPs were achieved using phosphate buffer solution (PBS) (20 mM, pH 5.0, 0.2 M NaCl), PBS (20 mM, pH 5.0, 0.5 M NaCl) and acetic acid (0.2 M, pH 4.0) as eluents. The alterations of lysozyme secondary structure on desorption from nanoparticles were confirmed by circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy. Lysozymes desorbed by PBS (20 mM, pH 5.0, 0.2 M NaCl) and PBS (20 mM, pH 5.0, 0.5 M NaCl) retain high fraction of its native structure with negligible effect on its activity, and about 92.4% and 89.5% activity were retained upon desorption from nanoparticles, however, lysozyme desorbed by acetic acid (0.2 M, pH 4.0) solution showed significant conformational changes. The stability of NPs-conjugated protein and retention of higher activity may find useful applications in biotechnology ranging from enzyme immobilization to protein purification.

Protein Release from Biodegradable PolyHPMA-Lysozyme Conjugates Resulting in Bioactivity Enhancement

A novel biodegradable thiazolidine-2-thione functional chain transfer agent was synthesized and employed as a reversible additional fragmentation chain transfer agent to prepare well-defined semitelechelic poly-N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamides (polyHPMAs) with predetermined molecular weights and narrow polydispersities. The protein reactive group, thiazolidine-2-thione, was located at the polymer chain ends fixed by biodegradable disulfide bonds. The functional polyHPMA chains were subsequently conjugated to protein (lysozyme) by exploiting reactions between the thiazolidine-2-thione functionality and amine residues on the protein surface to form covalent amide linkages. The in vitro bioactivities of the lysozyme-polyHPMA conjugates were assessed by using Micrococcus lysodeikticus cells as substrates. The lysozyme bioactivity was significantly reduced following the conjugation procedure. However, cleavage of the polymer chains from the bioconjugates (under reducing conditions) yielded free protein and a remarkable recovery of bioactivity. In vivo tests were performed by subcutaneous injection into mice and clearly demonstrated decreased proteolytic degradation for the protein-polymer conjugate when compared with native protein, indicating effective protein protection through a conjugation strategy. This bioreversible approach to conjugation allows for a balance to be made between protein protection and effective bioactivity maintenance.

Poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels formed by thiol-ene photopolymerization for enzyme-responsive protein delivery

Degradable hydrogels have been extensively used in biomedical applications such as drug delivery, and recent interest has grown in hydrogels that degrade in recognition of a cellular response. This contribution describes a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel platform with human neutrophil elastase (HNE) sensitive peptide cross-links formed using thiol-ene photopolymerization rendering the gel degradable at sites of inflammation. Further, protein therapeutics can be physically entrapped within the network and selectively released upon exposure to HNE. HNE-responsive hydrogels exhibited surface erosion where the degradation kinetics was influenced by changes in peptide kcat, concentration of HNE, and concentration of peptide within the gel. Using this platform, we were able to achieve controlled, zero-order release of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in the presence of HNE, and release was arrested in the absence of HNE. To further exploit the advantages of surface eroding delivery systems, a smaller protein (carbonic anhydrase) was delivered at the same rate as BSA and only dependent on gel formulation and environmental conditions. Also, protein release was predicted from a 3-layered hydrogel device using mass loss data. Lastly, the bioactivity of lysozyme was maintained above 90% following the exposure to thiol-ene photopolymerization conditions.

The Release and Bioactivity of Lysozyme from Selected Sol-Gel Derived SiO<sub>2</sub> Matrices

Local drug release has many benefits – a steadier distribution, improved compliance, but most importantly it allows the convenient use of protein based molecules as therapeutic agents. Many different types of materials have been studied as drug carriers, including sol-gel derived SiO2 matrices. In this study lysozyme was used as a model protein and its release from prepared SiO2 monoliths and its biological activity thereafter was studied spectroscopically. Sucrose was used in some preparations to assess its ability to function as a protective agent during storing. Lysozyme release and bioactivity was similar in both preparations containing it when tested fresh. In monoliths stored for ten weeks, however, differences were observed in the biological activity of released lysozyme. In the preparations containing sucrose, lysozyme had retained its activity, while it was virtually nil in the preparations containing only lysozyme. This shows that sol-gel derived SiO2 matrices can be used as carriers for small proteins and that sucrose can function as a protective agent in them.

Effect of additives on encapsulation efficiency, stability and bioactivity of entrapped lysozyme from biodegradable polymer particles

Low encapsulation efficiency, incomplete and erratic release profiles are the most common features of controlled released protein delivery systems employing biodegradable polymers. In the present study, lysozyme as a model protein was encapsulated in biodegradable microspheres using solvent evaporation method and the effect of amphiphilic stabilizer, a basic salt and a lyoprotectant on microparticle formulation was evaluated. Incorporation rat serum albumin (RSA) in the internal aqueous phase during emulsion increased the encapsulation efficiency of lysozyme and maintained the bioactivity. Use of NaHCO3 improved the encapsulation efficiency of lysozyme from 15–94%, but at the cost of reduced in vitro release characteristics. Incorporation of both RSA and NaHCO3 improved the bioactivity of lysozyme and decreased burst release of the protein from the polymer particle, but reduced the encapsulation efficiency from 90–70%. Addition of sucrose in the internal aqueous phase lowered the encapsulation efficiency which was restored by its addition in the external aqueous phase. Maintenance of internal aqueous phase pH close to the iso-electric point of the protein and osmotic balance between the internal aqueous phase and the external aqueous phase during solvent evaporation method helped in better encapsulation of the protein drug. In vitro release of the lysozyme correlated with the effect of different excipients on entrapment in polymer matrix. Entrapment efficiency as high as 76%, low burst effect and high bioactivity of the entrapped lysozyme was observed from the polymer particles. Use of RSA, sucrose and NaHCO3 helped in a co-operative way towards the formulation of particles entrapping bioactive lysozyme.