Formation of a protein corona influences the biological identity of nanomaterials

Abstract

The development and testing of nanomaterials is an area of interest due to promising diagnostic and therapeutic applications in the treatment of diseases like cancer or cardiovascular disease. While extensive studies of the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles (NPs) are available, the investigation of the protein corona (PC) that is formed on NPs in biofluids is a relatively new area of research. The fact that few NPs are in clinical use indicates that the biological identity of NPs, which is in large part due to the PC formed in blood or other bodily fluids, may be altered in ways yet to be fully understood. Herein, we review the recent advances in PC research with the intent to highlight the current state of the field. We discuss the dynamic processes that control the formation of the PC on NPs, which involve the transient soft corona and more stable hard corona. Critical factors, like the environment and disease-state that affect the composition and stability of the PC are presented, with the intent of showcasing promising applications for utilizing the PC for disease diagnosis and the identification of disease-related biomarkers. This review summarizes the unique challenges presented by the nanoparticle corona and indicates future directions for investigation.

Modeling Nanocarrier Transport across a 3D In Vitro Human Blood‐Brain–Barrier Microvasculature

“…[ 20,55 ] Additionally, NP permeability in the presence of culture medium can be affected by the formation of a protein corona around NPs. [ 56,57 ] On the other hand, PU NPs were functionalized using a PEGylated Tf: the PEG segment functioned as a spacer, providing Tf flexibility and exposure, [ 58 ] and as an anti‐fouling agent, reducing nonspecific protein adsorption, [ 59 ] and preserving Tf biological function. Hence, PU‐Tf NPs presented Tf more effectively to TfRs on iPSC‐ECs, possibly resulting in improved transcytosis.…”

High Surface Reactivity and Biocompatibility of Y2O3 NPs in Human MCF-7 Epithelial and HT-1080 Fibro-Blast Cells

“…From the results, it can be safely concluded that the cellular response of Y 2 O 3 NPs is actually the response of complete-media-component (that include serum proteins as well media ingredients) coated-Y 2 O 3 NPs rather than only serum protein coated NPs. Thus, living systems mostly interact with the surface modified NPs rather than with bare NPs only when the NPs are surface reactive [32,33]. Bio-molecular corona formed on surface reactive NPs can provide stealth effect during NP uptake by immune cells [34].…”

Layer‐by‐layer assembled PLGA nanoparticles carrying miR‐34a cargo inhibit the proliferation and cell cycle progression of triple‐negative breast cancer cells

“…After systemic administration, NPs are exposed to the complex environment of blood where they interact with multiple proteins (Nierenberg, Khaled, & Flores, 2018;Tenzer et al, 2013). After systemic administration, NPs are exposed to the complex environment of blood where they interact with multiple proteins (Nierenberg, Khaled, & Flores, 2018;Tenzer et al, 2013).…”

“…Moving forward, future studies will need to be performed to assess the efficacy and safety of this technology in vivo, and to evaluate its use as a platform for dual miRNA and drug delivery. After systemic administration, NPs are exposed to the complex environment of blood where they interact with multiple proteins (Nierenberg, Khaled, & Flores, 2018;Tenzer et al, 2013). These proteins can coat the NPs, resulting in NP sequestration and clearance via the mononuclear phagocytic systems (MPS), reducing their circulation half-life (Albanese, Tang, & Chan, 2012;Lazarovits, Chen, Sykes, & Chan, 2015).…”