Understanding the interplay between the mammalian plasma membrane lipids and chondroitin sulfate chains

The project aims to investigate the structural arrangements of chondroitin sulfate (CS), a carbohydrate present in the extracellular matrix, on the surface of supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) resembling the mammalian plasma membrane. Key components include the role of phospholipids (PC and PS) and cholesterol in these arrangements, particularly in healthy and inflamed cellular states. Neutron reflectometry (NR) is employed to analyze bilayer structure and composition with high resolution. A novel protocol involving Langmuir-Blodgett (LB)/Langmuir-Schaeffer (LS) deposition is proposed to incorporate CS-functionalized lipids into SLBs. Various SLB compositions are tested to mimic different cellular environments, with an emphasis on the influence of lipid composition on CS structural arrangement. Additionally, experiments are conducted at different pH levels to simulate acidic conditions typical of cancer cells. Overall, the study aims to shed light on the interactions between phospholipids and CS variants at the cell membrane interface, with potential implications for understanding cancer cell surface properties and identification.