Preparation and characterization of long alkyl chain methacrylate-based monolithic column for capillary chromatography

This paper describes the fabrication of long alkyl chain methacrylate monolithic materials for using as stationary phases in capillary liquid chromatography. Following deactivation of the capillary surface with 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (γ-MAPS), monoliths were formed by co-polymerisation of stearyl methacrylate (SMA) with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) in the presence of the initiator AIBN and a mixture of porogens including iso-amyl alcohol and 1,4-butanediol. The monoliths were prepared in 100 μm i.d. capillaries and the composition of the polymerisation mixtures were optimised in terms of the ratio of SMA/EDMA, the porogen composition and ratio of porogen to monomers. As the porogen weight fraction decreased, the microglobules became smaller and as expected, the total porosity decreased. In order to determine the usability of such materials, the column permeability K was measured by pumping water through the columns at different linear flow rates. Good results were obtained when these capillaries were used to separate mixtures of weak acids, neutral and basic compounds.     

Monoliths for microfluidic devices in proteomics

We report here on the preparation of monolithic capillary columns in view to their integration in a microsystem for on-chip sample preparation before their on-line analysis by electrospray and mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). These monolithic columns are based on polymer materials and consist of reverse phases for peptide separation and/or desalting. They were prepared using lauryl methacrylate (LMA), ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) as well as a suitable porogenic mixture composed of cyclohexanol and ethylene glycol. The resulting stationary phases present thus a C12-functionality. The LMA-based columns were first prepared in a capillary format using capillary tubing of 75 microm i.d. and tested in nanoLC-MS experiments for the separation of a commercial Cytochrome C digest composed of 12 peptidic fragments whose isoelectric point values and hydrophobic character cover a wide range. The LMA-based columns were capable of separating the peptidic fragments and their performances were seen to be similar as those of standard commercial columns dedicated to proteomic purposes with calculated separation efficiencies up to 145 x 10(3) plates/m. Monolithic LMA-based phases were then successfully polymerized in microchannels fabricated using the negative photoresist SU-8. After the polymerization, the systems were seen to withstand the pressures applied during the nanoLC-MS separation tests that were carried out in the same conditions as for the monolithic capillary columns. The pressure drop during these tests of the in-microchannel monoliths was as high as 50 bar; however, the separation was not as good as for a capillary format which could be accounted for by the monolith dimensions.     

Enantioseparation of tetrahydropalmatine and Tröger's base by molecularly imprinted monolith in capillary electrochromatography

Two chiral compounds, Tr?ger's base and tetrahydropalmatine, were enantioseparated on the (5S, 11S)-(-)-Tr?ger's base and l-tetrahydropalmatine imprinted monolithic capillary columns with CEC, respectively. The monoliths were prepared by in situ thermal-initiated copolymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) and ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA). After optimizing the ratio of porogens (toluene and dodecanol), the obtained monolithic capillary columns show good flow-through property and enantioselectivity. The influences of CEC parameters such as pH of the buffer, organic solvent and salt concentration on the electroosmotic flow (EOF) and recognition selectivity were systematically investigated. Under the optimal conditions, baseline resolutions of two chiral compounds were achieved. In addition, the fast separation was obtained within 4 min by applying higher voltage and assisting pressure of 6 bar.     

Electrochromatographic enantioseparation of amino acids using polybutylmethacrylate-based chiral monolithic column by capillary electrochromatography

This article describes the development of a polybutylmethacrylate‐based monolithic capillary column as a chiral stationary phase. The chiral monolithic column was prepared by polymerization of butyl methacrylate (BMA), ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA), and N‐methacryloyl‐l ‐glutamic acid (MAGA) in the presence of porogens. The porogen mixture included N,N‐dimethyl formamide and phosphate buffer. MAGA was used as a chiral selector. The effect of MAGA content was investigated on electrochromatographic enantioseparation of d,l ‐histidine, d,l ‐tyrosine, d,l ‐phenyl alanine, and d,l ‐glutamic acid. The effect of acetonitrile (ACN) content in mobile phase on electro‐osmotic flow was also investigated. It was demonstrated that the poly(BMA‐EDMA‐MAGA) monolithic chiral column can be used for the electrochromatographic enantioseparation of amino acids by capillary electrochromatography (CEC). The mobile phase was ACN/10 mM phosphate buffer (45:55%) adjusted to pH 2.7. It was observed that l ‐enantiomers of the amino acids migrated before d ‐enantiomers. The separation mechanism of electrochromatographic enantioseparation of amino acids in CEC is discussed. Chirality 24:606–609, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Enantioseparation of tetrahydropalmatine and Tröger's base by molecularly imprinted monolith in capillary electrochromatography

Two chiral compounds, Tröger's base and tetrahydropalmatine, were enantioseparated on the (5S, 11S)-(-)-Tröger's base and l-tetrahydropalmatine imprinted monolithic capillary columns with CEC, respectively. The monoliths were prepared by in situ thermal-initiated copolymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) and ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA). After optimizing the ratio of porogens (toluene and dodecanol), the obtained monolithic capillary columns show good flow-through property and enantioselectivity. The influences of CEC parameters such as pH of the buffer, organic solvent and salt concentration on the electroosmotic flow (EOF) and recognition selectivity were systematically investigated. Under the optimal conditions, baseline resolutions of two chiral compounds were achieved. In addition, the fast separation was obtained within 4 min by applying higher voltage and assisting pressure of 6 bar.     

Optimization of capillary coating by hydroxyethyl methacrylate for capillary zone electrophoresis of proteins

This work describes further improvements of coating fused silica capillaries with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). First, endcapping with a sterically less bulky silanyl reagent reduces the electrosmotic flow (EOF) by 25% in addition to the 40% EOF reduction caused by HEMA coating compared to a bare fused silica capillary. An additional hydrolysis step was introduced into the preparation of HEMA coated capillaries and leads to better reproducible migration times. The influence of the solvent during ATRP and the resulting polymer coating was investigated by replacement of DMF with water or water-methanol mixtures. The quality of the optimized coating was characterized by protein separations at pH 3. HEMA coated capillaries reveal up to 746000 plates. The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated capillary provides only half of this efficiency. A long-term test at pH 9 shows good stability of the HEMA coated capillaries in basic medium. Also the numbers of plates in this medium was about 30% higher than for separations with the PVA capillary. In addition, the phosphate buffer was replaced by a volatile ammonium acetate buffer for later use with mass spectrometry (MS).     

Effect of endurance training on muscle fiber type composition and capillary supply in rat diaphragm

Muscle fiber type composition and capillary supply in rat diaphragm were investigated after 14 weeks of endurance training: body weight and muscle fiber area were significantly decreased, the muscle fiber type composition, capillary to fiber ratio and number of capillaries around each fiber type were unchanged, and the capillary density and number of capillaries around each fiber relative to fiber type areas were significantly increased. These small fiber areas and increased capillary supplies in the trained rats would facilitate oxygen transport to all parts of the muscle fiber during exercise. It is concluded that the changes observed in the trained rat diaphragm appear to enhance the capacity for oxidative metabolism.     

One-step purification of YLLIP2 isoforms from Candida sp. 99–125 by polyethyleneimine modified poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) monolith

The extracellular lipase Yarrowia lipolytica (YLLIP2) crude extract was efficiently separated and purified from Candida sp. 99–125 by one-step ion-exchange chromatography on polyethyleneimine (PEI) functionalized monolithic columns. The preparative conditions for the functionalization of monoliths were optimized, including PEI molecular mass, PEI concentration, modification time and temperature. The monolithic skeleton was prepared in situ by polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) with a volume ratio of 8:2. Heptane was used as the porogen. PEI 30 kDa with the concentration of 10% (v/v) was applied for the modification of the monolith at 55 °C for 12 h. Lipase (EC.3.1.1.3) from Candida sp. 99–125 was separated to four isoforms (isoform A, isoform B, isoform C and isoform D). As analyzed on non-denaturing PAGE and MALDI-TOF–MS, the four isoforms are homogenous and have the same molecular mass of approximate 38 kDa. The monoliths can afford direct crude lipase loading without increasing too much back pressure, which explores the great potential of the application of monoliths for one-single step fast separation and purification of complicated proteins.     

Effect of sepsis on skeletal muscle oxygen consumption and tissue oxygenation: interpreting capillary oxygen transport data using a mathematical model

Inherent in the inflammatory response to sepsis is abnormal microvascular perfusion. Maldistribution of capillary red blood cell (RBC) flow in rat skeletal muscle has been characterized by increased 1) stopped-flow capillaries, 2) capillary oxygen extraction, and 3) ratio of fast-flow to normal-flow capillaries. On the basis of experimental data for functional capillary density (FCD), RBC velocity, and hemoglobin O2 saturation during sepsis, a mathematical model was used to calculate tissue O2 consumption (Vo2), tissue Po2 (Pt) profiles, and O2 delivery by fast-flow capillaries, which could not be measured experimentally. The model describes coupled capillary and tissue O2 transport using realistic blood and tissue biophysics and three-dimensional arrays of heterogeneously spaced capillaries and was solved numerically using a previously validated scheme. While total blood flow was maintained, capillary flow distribution was varied from 60/30/10% (normal/fast/stopped) in control to 33/33/33% (normal/fast/stopped) in average sepsis (AS) and 25/25/50% (normal/fast/stopped) in extreme sepsis (ES). Simulations found approximately two- and fourfold increases in tissue Vo2 in AS and ES, respectively. Average (minimum) Pt decreased from 43 (40) mmHg in control to 34 (27) and 26 (15) mmHg in AS and ES, respectively, and clustering fast-flow capillaries (increased flow heterogeneity) reduced minimum Pt to 14.5 mmHg. Thus, although fast capillaries prevented tissue dysoxia, they did not prevent increased hypoxia as the degree of microvascular injury increased. The model predicts that decreased FCD, increased fast flow, and increased Vo2 in sepsis expose skeletal muscle to significant regions of hypoxia, which could affect local cellular and organ function.     

An open tubular capillary electrochromatography column with porous inner surface for protein separation

An open tubular capillary electrochromatography (OTCEC) column using sole porogen to form porous inner surface has been developed. The porous layer was coated on the capillary inner wall by in situ polymerization in the presence of porogen. The results show that the columns using 1-propanol as sole porogen are appropriate for protein separation. It has higher separation efficiency than the column with the usual coporogen due to much more micropores and mesopores on the porous surface and a higher specific surface area. In addition, the sensitivity of the prepared OTCEC column was improved greatly compared with the dynamically coated capillary with polyvinylpyrrolidone.     

Voluntary running induces fiber type-specific angiogenesis in mouse skeletal muscle

Adult skeletal muscle undergoes adaptation in response to endurance exercise, including fast-to-slow fiber type transformation and enhanced angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to determine the temporal and spatial changes in fiber type composition and capillary density in a mouse model of endurance training. Long-term voluntary running (4 wk) in C57BL/6 mice resulted in an approximately twofold increase in capillary density and capillary-to-fiber ratio in plantaris muscle as measured by indirect immunofluorescence with an antibody against the endothelial cell marker CD31 (466 ± 16 capillaries/mm² and 0.95 ± 0.04 capillaries/fiber in sedentary control mice vs. 909 ± 55 capillaries/mm² and 1.70 ± 0.04 capillaries/fiber in trained mice, respectively; P < 0.001). A significant increase in capillary-to-fiber ratio was present at day 7 with increased concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the muscle, before a significant increase in percentage of type IIa myofibers, suggesting that exercise-induced angiogenesis occurs first, followed by fiber type transformation. Further analysis with simultaneous staining of endothelial cells and isoforms of myosin heavy chains (MHCs) showed that the increase in capillary contact manifested transiently in type IIb + IId/x fibers at the time (day 7) of significant increase in total capillary density. These findings suggest that endurance training induces angiogenesis in a subpopulation of type IIb + IId/x fibers before switching to type IIa fibers. adaptation; capillary density; endothelial cells; fiber type transformation; vascular endothelial growth factor     

Electrochromatographic separation of hydrophobic amino acid enantiomers by molecularly imprinted capillary columns

In the present study, the enantiomeric forms of hydrophobic amino acids (l-tryptophan, l-tyrosine, and l-phenylalanine) were separated by molecularly imprinted capillary columns (MICC) via Capillary Electrochromatography (CEC) for the first time. The monomer ratio, crosslinker ratio, template molecule ratio, the porogen ratio and type, polymerization time, and also the effect of temperature were examined to increase the permeability properties of MICC. FTIR, SEM and BET analyses were realized for the characterization of MICC. The effect of the electric field, organic solvent ratio, and pressure were carried out experimentally to determine the optimum conditions. The separation performances of MICC and the non-imprinted capillary columns (NICC) were compared electrochromatographically.     

Effect of growth on muscle capillarity and fiber type composition in rat diaphragm

The effect of growth on the capillarity and fiber type composition of the diaphragm, soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of rats weighing between 55 and 330 g have been studied. Muscle samples obtained from the anesthetized rat were rapidly frozen and sliced transversely in a cryostat. The sections were stained histochemically by the SDH method and the myosin ATPase method after preincubation at pH 4.3 to typify fibers (FG, FOG and SO fibers). To visualize capillaries, the myosin ATPase method after preincubation at pH 4.0 was used. The percentage of FOG fibers decreased in all muscles with growth. While the FG and SO fibers increased in the diaphragm, SO fibers increased in the soleus, and FG fibers increased in the EDL. The capillary density showed a hyperbolic decrease with growth in all muscles, while the number of capillaries around each fiber increased in all muscles with growth. It is concluded that growth causes the changing properties of the motoneurons and the new capillary formation in the diaphragm muscle, as well as the soleus and EDL muscles.     

Spontaneous fibroblast‐derived pericyte recruitment in a human tissue‐engineered angiogenesis model in vitro

Cooperation between endothelial cells and pericytes is essential to the stabilization and maturation of blood microvessels. We developed a unique in vitro tissue‐engineered model to study angiogenesis. The human endothelialized reconstructed connective tissue model promotes the formation of a three‐dimensional branching network of capillary‐like tubes (CLT) with closed lumens. The purpose of this work was to investigate whether pericytes were spontaneously recruited around CLT in the model. We demonstrated that smooth muscle α‐actin (SMA)‐positive cells were found closely associated with PECAM‐1‐positive capillaries in the model. Twelve percent (±2.6) of SMA‐positive cells were detected along with 15% (±1.64) von Willebrand factor‐positive endothelial cells in the culture system after 31 days of in vitro maturation. Conversely, no SMA‐positive cells were detected in reconstructed connective tissues made solely of fibroblasts. Knowing that PDGF is a major factor in the recruitment of pericytes, we showed that blockade of the PDGFB receptor using the inhibitor AG1296 induced an overall 5, 2.6, and 2.4‐fold decrease in the SMA‐positive cells, von Willebrand factor‐positive cells, and number of capillaries, respectively. Using combinations of human GFP‐positive fibroblasts and endothelial cells, we demonstrated that pericytes were recruited from the fibroblast population in the model. In conclusion, our tissue‐engineered culture system promotes the spontaneous formation of a network of capillaries and the recruitment of pericytes derived from fibroblasts. Since pericytes are essential components of the blood microvasculature, this culture system is a powerful model to study angiogenesis and endothelial cell/pericyte interactions in vitro. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2130–2137, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Improved capillary electrophoresis conditions for the separation of kinase substrates by the laser micropipet system

Phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated forms of peptide substrates for protein kinase C (PKC) and calcium-calmodulin activated kinase II (CamKII) were separated by capillary zone electrophoresis. Electrophoresis of the peptide substrates and products in biologic buffer solutions in uncoated capillaries yielded asymmetric analyte peaks with substantial peak tailing. Some of the peptides also exhibited broad peaks with unstable migration times. To improve the electrophoretic separation of the peptides, several strategies were implemented: extensive washing of the capillary with a base, adding betaine to the electrophoretic buffer, and coating the capillaries with polydimethylacrylamide (PDMA). Prolonged rinsing of the capillaries with a base substantially improved the migration time reproducibility and decreased peak tailing. Addition of betaine to the electrophoretic buffer enhanced both the migration time stability as well as the theoretical plate numbers of the peaks. Finally PDMA-coated capillaries brought about significant improvements in the resolving power of the separations. These modifications all utilized an electrophoretic buffer that was compatible with a living biologic cell. Consequently they should be adaptable for the new capillary electrophoresis-based methods to measure kinase activation in single cells.     

Hydroxymethyl methacrylate-based monolithic columns designed for separation of oligonucleotides in hydrophilic-interaction capillary liquid chromatography

Hydroxymethyl methacrylate-based monolithic columns for separation of oligonucleotides by capillary liquid chromatography (CLC) were prepared. We optimized composition of the polymerization mixture, which contained the monomer mixture consisting of N-(hydroxymethyl) methacrylamide (HMMAA) and ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA), and the porogenic system composed of propane-1-ol, butane-1,4-diol and alpha, alpha'-azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator. Separations of oligonucleotides were performed in HILIC (hydrophilic-interaction) mode using 100 mM triethylamine acetate (TEAA) in acetonitrile and in water as eluents. The influence of steepness of the mobile phase gradient on separation of the oligonucleotides was evaluated as well as the reproducibility of HMMAA monolith preparation.     

In situ characterization of antibody grafting on porous monolithic supports

The efficient immobilization of antibodies on monolithic support is one of the most critical steps when preparing immunoaffinity supports. In this work, the ADECA (amino density estimation by colorimetric assay) method was adapted to tridimensional supports (in a dynamic mode) and proved to be efficient to characterize the antibodies grafting efficiency on 15.3±0.9mg porous glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)-co-ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) monolithic columns. The amount of grafted antibodies measured in situ on the monolith by ADECA (8.2±0.2μg of antibodies per milligram of monolith) was consistent with values obtained by bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA) after crushing the monolith. ADECA was shown to be less time-consuming and more versatile than BCA. The ADECA method was further implemented to thoroughly study and optimize the antibody grafting conditions (influence of pH and kinetics of the grafting step) on GMA-based monoliths and to check the covalent nature of the antibody/surface linking and its stability. Using the total amount of grafted antibodies and the amount of recognized antigen, we found that 65±6% of antibodies were able to capture their antigen. Finally, the grafting of Fab and F(ab')(2) fragments demonstrated that no significant improvement of the global binding capacity of the monolith was obtained.     

Isolation and detection of steroids from human urine by molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography

Naturally occurring steroids such as progesterone, testosterone and 17β-estradiol were analyzed in this study. These bio-identical molecules paradoxically can be either beneficial or harmful. Unfortunately as growth promoters can be toxic and cancerogenic at elevated levels. Due to difficulty in monitoring at trace quantities of these hormones in biological matrices specific adsorption materials molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were used for preconcentration and clean up in sample preparation step. A non-covalent imprinting approach was used for bulk polymerization of progesterone, testosterone and 17β-estradiol imprinted polymers. Synthesis of MIPs was achieved by thermal, UV and γ irradiation initiated polymerization whereby were used methacrylic acid (MAA), 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP) as functional monomers, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA), trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM) as cross-linking agents and acetonitrile, isooctane–toluene (1:99, v/v) and chloroform as porogen solvents. It was also used as initiator 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (AIBN) or benzyl methyl ether (BME). The MIPs were applied as selective sorbents in solid-phase extraction (SPE). Molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) considered as hyphenated technique were applied in extraction step before HPLC-DAD analysis of steroids from human urine.     

Microvascular and capillary perfusion following glycocalyx degradation.

Systemic parameters and microvascular and capillary hemodynamics were studied in the hamster window chamber model before and after hyaluronan degradation by intravenous injection of Streptomyces hyaluronidase (100 units, 40-50 U/ml plasma). Glycocalyx permeation was estimated using fluorescent markers of different molecular size (40, 70, and 2,000 kDa), and electrical charge. Systemic parameters (blood pressure, heart rate, blood gases) and microhemodynamics (vascular tone, velocity, and blood flow) remained statistically unchanged after injection of hyaluronidase, compared with inactivated hyaluronidase. Conversely, capillary hemodynamics were drastically affected. Functional capillary density, the capillaries perfused with red blood cells (RBCs), decreased by 35%, capillary Hct of the remaining functional capillaries increased from 16 to 27%, and penetration of 70-kDa fluorescent marker increased. Furthermore, plasma-only perfused capillaries statistically increased 30 min after hyaluronidase. The decrease in functional capillary density accounted for an increased RBC flux in the remainder of the capillaries, since the same number of RBCs had to traverse a reduced number of capillaries. Flux balances showed a reduction from baseline of 11% for the RBC flux and 20% for the plasma flux after treatment. These discrepancies are within the margin of error of the techniques used and could be explained by accounting for RBC over-velocity compared with plasma. These findings suggest that the decrease in the glycocalyx leads to capillary perfusion impairments.