Biophysical Characterization of a Biomimetic from the Tear Film Lipid Layer
Date
2014-06-10
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Abstract
Tear film is a three layered structure that lies adjacent to the cornea. It protects the eye from desiccation, bacterial infections, and injury. The biophysical properties of the polar lipid layer were investigated to further understand the role that these lipids may have in the properly functioning tear film. The investigation was accomplished through the use of Langmuir monolayers, Brewster angle microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. These experiments were conducted on a tear film biomimetic that consisted of 16:0/16:0 phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), 16:0/16:0 phosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE), 16:0 glucosylceramide (PGC), and 16:0 sphingomyelin (PSM), reflecting their in vivo molar ratios. All four lipids formed very stable monolayers indicating that the polar lipids stabilize the open eye tear film. Brewster Angle Microscopy indicated multilayer formation as a possible mechanism to prevent premature tear film collapse. Finally, tear lysozyme interaction studies
indicated increased insertion when the barriers for hydrophobic interactions were minimal.
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Keywords
Biophysics, Biochemistry
Citation
Patterson, M. (2014). Biophysical Characterization of a Biomimetic from the Tear Film Lipid Layer (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/25134