Phase separation of lipid microdomains controlled by polymerized lipid bilayer matrices.

We developed a micropatterned model biological membrane on a solid substrate that can induce phase separation of lipid microdomains in a designed geometry. Micropatterned lipid bilayers were generated by the photolithographic polymerization of a diacetylene phospholipid, 1,2-bis(10,12-tricosadiynoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DiynePC). By changing the UV dose for the photopolymerization, we could modulate the coverage of the surface by the polymeric bilayer domains. After removing nonpolymerized DiynePC, natural phoshoplipid membranes were incorporated into the micropatterned polymeric bilayer matrix by a self-assembly process (vesicle fusion). As we incorporated a ternary lipid mixture of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC), sphingomyelin (SM), and cholesterol (Chol) (1:1:1), liquid ordered domains (Lo: rich in SM and Chol) were accumulated in the polymer free regions, whereas liquid disordered domains (Ld: rich in DOPC) preferentially participated into the partially polymeric bilayer regi...