Nanoparticle uptake: The phagocyte problem

Abstract

Phagocytes are key cellular participants determining important aspects of host exposure to nanomaterials, initiating clearance, biodistribution and the tenuous balance between host tolerance and adverse nanotoxicity. Macrophages in particular are believed to be among the first and primary cell types that process nanoparticles, mediating host inflammatory and immunological biological responses. These processes occur ubiquitously throughout tissues where nanomaterials are present, including the host mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) residents in dedicated host filtration organs (i.e., liver, kidney spleen, and lung). Thus, to understand nanomaterials exposure risks it is critical to understand how nanomaterials are recognized, internalized, trafficked and distributed within diverse types of host macrophages and how possible cell-based reactions resulting from nanomaterial exposures further inflammatory host responses in vivo. This review focuses on describing macrophage-based initiation of downstream hallmark immunological and inflammatory processes resulting from phagocyte exposure to and internalization of nanomaterials.

Multimodal Magnetic-Plasmonic Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

“…Efficient renal clearance from the body is necessary to minimise toxicity, and for any drug to be considered feasible for widespread use by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration), it must be cleared from the body within a reasonable timeframe [58,59]. Hydrodynamic diameter is also of utmost importance, as the nanoparticles must be small enough to not be cleared through the mononuclear phagocyte system, but large enough so that they do not become coated with serum proteins, thus increasing the hydrodynamic diameter and hindering renal elimination [60].…”

Molybdenum disulfide/graphene oxide nanocomposites show favorable lung targeting and enhanced drug loading/tumor-killing efficacy with improved biocompatibility

“…administration), [9][10][11][12] being ascribed to the formation of GO-protein complexes that were readily caught by lung capillary vessels. [13][14][15] GO's selective localization in the lung distinguishes it from other types of nanomaterials (mostly in liver and spleen), 16,17 offering a 'guided missile' to target the lung. Nonetheless, many studies have shown that under certain conditions, GO is highly 1 toxic because of its reactive surface groups.…”

Synthesis, Functionalization, and Design of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Theranostic Applications

“…At the core of these considerations is designing MNPs that maintains an appropriate "biological identity" during their journey to the target site, which actually means to protect their primary suitable physicochemical properties against being altered by the adsorption of serum protein on their surfaces. [417] This is extremely vital to avoid the immediate sequestration of MNPs by preventing changes in their original identity which may promote MNPs recognition and uptake by MPS. [418] In particular, nonspecific uptake of opsonized nanoparticles by MPS, consisting of the phagocytic cells located in reticular connective tissue, mainly limit the delivery of therapeutic cargos at disease sites by depositing a small fraction of the total dose in the tumor.…”