Surface coating affects behavior of metallic nanoparticles in a biological environment

Abstract

SummarySilver (AgNPs) and maghemite, i.e., superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are promising candidates for new medical applications, which implies the need for strict information regarding their physicochemical characteristics and behavior in a biological environment. The currently developed AgNPs and SPIONs encompass a myriad of sizes and surface coatings, which affect NPs properties and may improve their biocompatibility. This study is aimed to evaluate the effects of surface coating on colloidal stability and behavior of AgNPs and SPIONs in modelled biological environments using dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering techniques, as well as transmission electron microscopy to visualize the behavior of the NP. Three dispersion media were investigated: ultrapure water (UW), biological cell culture medium without addition of protein (BM), and BM supplemented with common serum protein (BMP). The obtained results showed that different coating agents on AgNPs and SPIONs produced different stabilities in the same biological media. The combination of negative charge and high adsorption strength of coating agents proved to be important for achieving good stability of metallic NPs in electrolyte-rich fluids. Most importantly, the presence of proteins provided colloidal stabilization to metallic NPs in biological fluids regardless of their chemical composition, surface structure and surface charge. In addition, an assessment of AgNP and SPION behavior in real biological fluids, rat whole blood (WhBl) and blood plasma (BlPl), revealed that the composition of a biological medium is crucial for the colloidal stability and type of metallic NP transformation. Our results highlight the importance of physicochemical characterization and stability evaluation of metallic NPs in a variety of biological systems including as many NP properties as possible.

Improved biocompatibility and efficient labeling of neural stem cells with poly(L-lysine)-coated maghemite nanoparticles

“…Our results suggested that the internalization of both types of the nanoparticles occurred via macropinocytosis as confirmed by TEM. Recently, PLL-γ-Fe 2 O 3 agglomeration properties were studied in biological cell culture media with or without common serum protein, which showed the increase of size and negative ζ-potential in comparison to ultrapure water [26]. Similarly to the other studied nanoparticles, the observed changes were less pronounced in coated than in uncoated particles, and in the presence of serum protein than in its absence.…”

How protein coronas determine the fate of engineered nanoparticles in biological environment

“…Owing to the exceptional properties, these NPs may be used for targeted drug and contrast delivery, photothermal therapy, optical sensing, biochromatography, bioanalytical electrochemistry, biocidal agents and coatings, or a variety of bioassays (1)(2)(3)5).…”

“…Recent advances in nanomedicine have resulted in the development of biodegradable nanodrug delivery systems, nanocrystals for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and luminescent NPs for multiplexed molecular diagnostics (1,3,5,6).…”

“…Because of the small size, NPs can enter almost every part of the body, including tissues, organs, and organelles (mitochondria, lysosomes, and endosomes) by different routes (e.g., inhalation, ingestion, injection, or physical contact with cuts or wounds) (2,3,(7)(8)(9).…”

“…Nanomedicine is a growing medical field that utilises nanomaterials for new applications in medicine, including their clinical use in disease diagnosis and treatment (1)(2)(3). According to the European Commission (4), 'Nanomaterial' means a natural, incidental or manufactured material containing particles, in an unbound state or as an aggregate or as an agglomerate and where, for 50 % or more of the particles in the number size distribution, one or more external dimensions is in the size range 1-100 nm.…”