Research Progress on the Expansion and Rupture of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles Under Osmotic Stress

doi:10.19586/j.2095-2341.2025.0068

Current Biotechnology ›› 2025, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (5): 791-797.DOI: 10.19586/j.2095-2341.2025.0068

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Research Progress on the Expansion and Rupture of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles Under Osmotic Stress

Tieliang ZHAO¹^,²(), Zhongying JIANG¹, Mingyun SHI¹()

^1.Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Electronic Sensing Technology and Bionic Devices，School of Network Security and Information Technology，Yili Normal University，Xinjiang Yining 835000，China
^2.School of Electronic Engineering，Yili Normal University，Xinjiang Yining 835000，China

Received:2025-06-04 Accepted:2025-08-18 Online:2025-09-25 Published:2025-11-11
Contact: Mingyun SHI

Abstract

Abstract:

Osmotic stress is a key physical factor regulating cell membrane morphology and function， playing a crucial role in cell volume regulation and membrane permeability control. Currently， the coupling mechanisms of pore formation， phase separation， and membrane components under osmotic stress are still not fully understood， limiting the in-depth exploration of membrane mechanics and its application in bioengineering. This article reviewed the research progress on the reassembly kinetics of giant unilamellar vesicles （GUVs） under osmotic stress regulation， discussed the mechanisms of membrane phase separation， membrane tension accumulation， pore nucleation and expansion， revealed the regulatory role of the dynamic balance between membrane tension and pore line tension on the periodic oscillation of pores， and elucidated the influence of dissipative processes such as lipid dissolution on membrane dynamics. The review provided important theoretical support for understanding the mechanisms regulating membrane dynamics and laid the foundation for the design of efficient and controllable drug delivery systems.

Key words: osmotic stress, giant unilamellar vesicles, phase separation, pore, oscillation

摘要：

渗透应力是调节细胞膜形态和功能的关键物理因素，在细胞体积调节和膜通透性控制中起着至关重要的作用。目前，渗透应力作用下孔隙形成、相分离和膜组分之间的耦合机制尚不完全清楚，限制了膜动力学的深入探索及其在生物工程中的应用。综述了渗透应力调控下巨型单层囊泡（giant unilamellar vesicles，GUVs）的再组装动力学研究进展，讨论了膜相分离、膜张力积累、孔隙成核与扩展机制，揭示了膜张力与孔隙线张力动态平衡对孔隙周期性振荡的调控作用，阐明了脂质溶解等耗散过程对膜动力学的影响，为理解膜动力学调控机制提供了重要的理论支持，并为设计高效可控的药物递送系统奠定了基础。

关键词: 渗透应力, 巨型单层囊泡, 相分离, 孔隙, 振荡

CLC Number:

Q814.4

Tieliang ZHAO, Zhongying JIANG, Mingyun SHI. Research Progress on the Expansion and Rupture of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles Under Osmotic Stress[J]. Current Biotechnology, 2025, 15(5): 791-797.

赵铁亮, 蒋中英, 石铭芸. 渗透应力调控下巨型单层囊泡膨胀-破裂的研究进展[J]. 生物技术进展, 2025, 15(5): 791-797.

Figures/Tables 4

Fig. 1 Fluorescence image and theoretical simulations schematic diagram of the swelling-rupture cycle of giant unilamellar vesicles in a hypotonic environment[22]

Fig. 2 Dynamic process of phase separation and pore formation in GUVs driven by osmotic stress[24]

Fig. 3 Mechanism of surfactant-induced pore dynamics and membrane tension changes in liposomes[25]

Fig. 4 Oscillatory phase separation in giant unilamellar vesicles subjected to osmotic stress[25]

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Research Progress on the Expansion and Rupture of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles Under Osmotic Stress

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