Mechanisms of Influenza Virus HA2 Peptide Interaction with Liposomes Studied by Dual-Wavelength MP-SPR

A phospholipid-based liposome layer was used as an effective biomimetic membrane model to study the binding of the pH-dependent fusogenic peptide (E4-GGYC) from the influenza virus hemagglutinin HA2 subunit. To this end, a multiparameter surface plasmon resonance approach (MP-SPR) was used for monitoring peptide-liposome interactions at two pH values (4.5 and 8) by means of recording sensorgrams in real time without the need for labeling. Biotinylated liposomes were first immobilized as a monolayer onto the surface of an SPR gold chip coated with a streptavidin layer. Multiple sets of sensorgrams with different HA2 peptide concentrations were generated at both pHs. Dual-wavelength Fresnel layer modeling was applied to calculate the thickness (d) and the refractive index (n) of the liposome layer to monitor the change in its optical parameters upon interaction with the peptide. At acidic pH, the peptide, in its a helix form, entered the lipid bilayer of liposomes, inducing vesicle swelling and increasing membrane robustness. Conversely, a contraction of liposomes was observed at pH 8, associated with noninsertion of the peptide in the double layer of phospholipids. The equilibrium dissociation constant K-D = 4.7 X 10(-7) M of the peptide/liposome interaction at pH 4.5 was determined by fitting the OneToOne model to the experimental sensorgrams using Trace Drawer software. Our experimental approach showed that the HA2 peptide at a concentration up to 100 mu M produced no disruption of liposomes at pH 4.5.

Automated summary

In this study, a phospholipid-based liposome layer was used as a biomimetic membrane model to investigate the binding between the pH-dependent fusogenic peptide from the influenza virus and the liposomes. The interaction was monitored using a multiparameter surface plasmon resonance approach, and it was found that the peptide could enter the lipid bilayer of liposomes at acidic pH, inducing vesicle swelling, while no insertion of the peptide was observed at alkaline pH, causing liposome contraction.