The nanoparticle biomolecule corona: lessons learned – challenge accepted?

Abstract

Besides the wide use of engineered nanomaterials (NMs) in technical products, their applications are not only increasing in biotechnology and biomedicine, but also in the environmental field. While the physico-chemical properties and behaviour of NMs can be characterized accurately under idealized conditions, this is no longer the case in complex physiological or natural environments. Herein, proteins and other biomolecules rapidly bind to NMs, forming a protein/biomolecule corona that critically affects the NMs' (patho)biological and technical identities. As the corona impacts the in vitro and/or in vivo NM applications in humans and ecosystems, a mechanistic understanding of its relevance and of the biophysical forces regulating corona formation is mandatory. Based on recent insights, we here critically review and present an updated concept of corona formation and evolution. We comment on how corona signatures may be linked to effects at the nano-bio interface in physiological and environmental systems. In order to comprehensively analyse corona profiles and to mechanistically understand the coronas' biological/ecological impact, we present a tiered multidisciplinary approach. To stimulate progress in this field, we introduce the potential impact of the corona for NM-microbiome-(human)host interactions and the novel concept of 'nanologicals', i.e., the nanomaterial-specific targeting of molecular machines. We conclude by discussing the relevant challenges that still need to be resolved in this field.

Surface chemistry of gold nanoparticles determines the biocorona composition impacting cellular uptake, toxicity and gene expression profiles in human endothelial cells

“…Proteins involved in the physiological as well as toxicological relevant processes in blood, such as complement activation and coagulation have been identified in coronas of various NP (Docter et al, 2015;. Human plasma comprising 55% of the blood volume was used for biocorona studies, since it is more representative of the physiological fluid than serum, which lacks clotting factors and fibrinogen (Mirshafiee et al, 2016).…”

Immunoassay for Human IgG Using Antibody-functionalized Silver Nanoparticles

“…1,2 One major merit of using antibody-antigen interactions is based on their biospecific recognition, which provides high selectivity. 3 On the other hand, silver and gold nanoparticles have a remarkably high attenuation coefficient and strongly distance-dependent optical properties.…”

Tackling chondrocyte hypertrophy with multifunctional nanoparticles

“…As soon as they enter a biologic environment, nanoparticles are coated by a corona of proteins, lipids and biomacromolecules (also named bio-corona), which mediates the effects of nanoparticle physico-chemical properties on their biologic performance, that is, trafficking, clearance, biocompatibility and degradation. 31,32 In a recent study, we have identified the major plasma protein constituents of PNT 'plasma bio-corona' and shown that an increase in surface PEG density affected the competitive adsorption of the major constituents of PNT bio-corona. 33 In particular, an increase in surface PEG density led to a greater relative abundance of β-2-glycoprotein (Apo H) in PNT bio-corona, which changed the pharmacokinetic profile of systemically administered PNTs, that is, promoted shorter blood circulation half-life, faster excretion and greater relative spleen vs liver accumulation.…”

“…39 The crucial role of the bio-corona on nanoparticle ability to target a desired location has stimulated the search for 'natural' drug nanocarriers that exploit their intrinsic bio-corona to target specific tissues/cell sub-populations, while avoiding the adsorption of biomolecules from the surrounding milieu. 31 Headland et al 40 have recently used synovial neutrophil-derived microvesicles (MVs) to activate anabolic gene expression in chondrocytes and lessen cartilage breakdown caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Following IA injection, MVs entered the cartilage and bound formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2)/ALK receptor on chondrocytes through the antiinflammatory protein annexin A1 (AnxA1) overexpressed on their surface, inducing the production of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and deposition of cartilage ECM.…”