Assembly and Degradation of Inorganic Nanoparticles in Biological Environments

Abstract

In solution, nanoparticles may be conceptually compartmentalized into cores and engineered surface coatings. Recent advances allow for simple and accurate characterization of nanoparticle cores and surface shells. After introduction into a complex biological environment, adsorption of biological molecules to the nanoparticle surface as well as a loss of original surface components occur. Thus, colloidal nanoparticles in the context of the biological environment are hybrid materials with complex structure, which may result in different chemical, physical, and biological outcomes as compared to the original engineered nanoparticles. In this review, we will discuss building up an engineered inorganic nanoparticle from its inside core to its outside surface and following its degradation in a biological environment from its outside to its inside. This will involve the way to synthesize selected inorganic nanoparticles. Then, we will discuss the environmental changes upon exposure of these nanoparticles to biological media and their uptake by cells. Next, the intracellular fate of nanoparticles and their degradation will be discussed. Based on these examples, the need to see nanoparticles in the context of the biological environment as dynamic hybrid materials will be highlighted.

Ever-Evolving Identity of Magnetic Nanoparticles within Human Cells: The Interplay of Endosomal Confinement, Degradation, Storage, and Neocrystallization

“…[12][13][14][15] However, one major obstacle engineered nanoparticles (including the magnetic ones) still face in their therapeutic mission, concerns a decreased stability and loss of targeting potential in the complex biological environment. [16][17][18][19][20][21] Indeed, despite efforts to customize nanoparticles surface, made with the ambition to deliver nanoparticles to a specific target, the most probable nanoparticles' fate is to end up within endosomes of hepatic and splenic macrophages, where nanoparticles undergo gradual "digestion". Therefore, the topical nano-bio-interface query of the current and following decade relates to processes occurring within the (intra)cellular environment, which profoundly alters the physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles.…”

“…Nevertheless, the early studies evaluating nanoparticles long-term intracellular transformations unanimously lead to the premise that intracellular (endosomal) environment transforms nanoparticles identity. 19,[21][22][23][24][25][26] Finally, while nanotechnology emerged rather recently, magnetic nanoparticles could be traced as far back as Archean, 27 when magnetic particles allowed organisms magnetotaxis along the geomagnetic field. 28 And surprisingly, bacterial cells 29 are not the only ones capable of magnetic bio-mineralization.…”

Peptide Gelators to Template Inorganic Nanoparticle Formation

“…Peptides that bind on NP surfaces are interesting because they can also be used for biological targeting and may play a role in determining NP biodegradation [52]. Early Figure 2.…”

“…Peptides that bind on NP surfaces are interesting because they can also be used for biological targeting and may play a role in determining NP biodegradation [52]. Early studies identified over 30 peptide sequences able to bind cobalt ions, and nearly 20 that bound silver ions by using phage-display and PCR methods [53].…”

Mechanistic insights and selected synthetic routes of atomically precise metal nanoclusters

“…Nanomaterials are exciting building blocks of modern science and technology owing to their particular size‐dependent properties. [ 1 ] Noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) have evolved significantly (particularly in terms of surface modifications [ 2 ] ) after the pioneer studies of Faraday's “colloidal gold.” [ 3 ] Controlling the size of NPs is very important to understand the mechanistic details of their interesting properties. Diverse methodologies have been developed to synthesize NPs of controlled sizes.…”