Impact of the protein corona on nanomaterial immune response and targeting ability

Abstract

Over the last decade nanomaterials have had a major impact on human health for the early detection and treatment of many diseases. The future success of clinically translatable nanomaterials lies in the combination of several functionalities to realize a personalized medical experience for patients. To maintain promises, concerns arising from toxic potential and off‐target accumulation of nanomaterials must be addressed first. Upon introduction to a complex biological system (e.g., following systemic administration), nanomaterials interact with all the encountered biomolecules and form the protein corona, a complex coating of plasma proteins that provides them with a totally new biological identity. As the protein corona controls the nanomaterial behavior in vivo, a precise knowledge of the relationship between biological identity and physiological response is needed but not yet achieved. Based on impressive progress made thus far, this review critically discusses how the protein corona activates immune response and influences the targeted delivery of nanomaterials. Furthermore, we comment on emerging strategies to manipulate protein binding in order to promote formation of designer artificial coronas and achieve a desired therapeutic outcome. We conclude by debating challenges that must be overcome to obtain widespread clinical adoption of nanomaterials. This article is categorized under: Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Cells at the Nanoscale Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Barriers and Strategies of Cationic Liposomes for Cancer Gene Therapy

“… 9 , 10 First, CLs can elicit opsonization after intravenous administration. 11 CLs pick up plasma protein such as serum albumin, complements, immunoglobulins (Igs), and apolipoproteins to form a corona layer on their surface, providing them with a totally new biological identity that will dramatically alter their fates in vivo . 12 , 13 Meanwhile, the reticuloendothelial system (RES) will first play the role of eliminating aliens to remove CLs from the blood circulation, and the inappropriate size and excessive positive charge of CLs accelerate this process.…”

Phosphatidylinositol Stabilizes Fluid-Phase Liposomes Loaded with a Melphalan Lipophilic Prodrug

“…The liposome thus gains new identity exposing the adsorbed proteins on the surface [5]. The adsorbed proteins mediate the liposome interactions with other proteins, including cell receptors [6]. This protein corona usually contains opsonins, which promote phagocytosis by leucocytes.…”

Optimal centrifugal isolating of liposome–protein complexes from human plasma

“…Ultimately, the protein corona controls NP immune response, toxicity, and biodistribution. 16 Among the myriad NPbased drug delivery systems reported so far, liposomes are the most widely investigated ones for clinical use. 17,18 The wide knowledge of biophysics and biochemistry of membrane lipids 19,20 has been translated into the development of several liposomal formulations benetting many people around the globe.…”