Plasma proteins facilitates placental transfer of polystyrene particles

Abstract

Background Nanoparticles, which are exposed to biological fluids are rapidly interacting with proteins and other biomolecules forming a corona. In addition to dimension, charge and material the distinct protein corona influences the interplay of nanoparticles with tissue barriers. In this study we were focused on the impact of in situ formed human plasma protein corona on the transfer of 80 nm polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-particles) across the human placenta. To study materno-to fetal PS transfer we used the human ex vivo placental perfusion approach, which represents an intact and physiological tissue barrier. To analyze the protein corona of PS particles we performed shotgun proteomics of isolated nanoparticles before and after tissue exposure. Results Human plasma incubated with PS-particles of 80 nm and subsequent formed protein corona enhanced the transfer across the human placenta compared to PS-corona formed by bovine serum albumin and dextran which served as a control. Quantitative and qualitative changes of plasma proteins determined the changes in PS transfer across the barrier. Based on the analysis of the PS-proteome two candidate proteins, namely human albumin and immunoglobulin G were tested if these proteins may account for the enhanced PS-transfer across the placenta. Interestingly, the protein corona formed by human albumin significantly induced the transfer of PS-particles across the tissue compared to the formed IgG-corona. Conclusion In total we demonstrate the PS corona dynamically and significantly evolves upon crossing the human placenta. Thus, the initial composition of PS particles in the maternal circulation is not predictive for their transfer characteristics and performance once beyond the barrier of the placenta. The precise mechanism of these effects remains to be elucidated but highlights the importance of using well designed biological models when testing nanoparticles for biomedical applications.

Detection of Microplastic in Human Placenta and Meconium in a Clinical Setting

“…This placenta permeability was further confirmed with carbon particles ranging from 1 to 10 µm [ 20 ]. Recently, transplacental movement of nanoplastic particles (<100 nm) has been demonstrated using ex vivo placenta perfusion models [ 6 , 21 , 22 ], which was accompanied by a change in the protein corona composition [ 23 ]. Moreover, the cellular uptake and intracellular accumulation of nano- and microparticles have been shown in placenta in vitro co-culture models [ 24 ].…”

Label-free detection of uptake, accumulation, and translocation of diesel exhaust particles in ex vivo perfused human placenta

“…To this end, we employed the current gold standard ex vivo placental perfusion model [ 27 ] to assess placental transfer of DEPs towards the fetal circulation in an intact human tissue under physiologically-relevant perfused conditions. Placental perfusion studies were performed for up to 6 h, which has been previously shown to be sufficient to detect placental translocation of various nanoparticles [ 36 – 40 ].…”

Endocytosis in the placenta: An undervalued mediator of placental transfer

“…This includes environmental particulates, pathogens and drugs intended for maternal treatment which can have potentially harmful effects on the developing fetus [16]. However, this also offers a potential strategy for targeted therapeutic interventions [44].…”

“…Endocytosis may also provide a mechanism for targeted placental or fetal therapies. Synthetic nanoparticles in the plasma become coated by serum proteins like albumin and IgG [44]. Serum proteins, and their nanoparticle cargo, may undergo receptor-mediated endocytosis into the syncytiotrophoblast through interactions with endocytic receptors (e.g.…”

“…Serum proteins, and their nanoparticle cargo, may undergo receptor-mediated endocytosis into the syncytiotrophoblast through interactions with endocytic receptors (e.g. megalin) on the microvillous membrane [44]. Transfer of IgG across the placenta via transcytosis may provide an important avenue for targeted immune therapy [47].…”