Inside the Protein Corona: From Binding Parameters to Unstained Hard and Soft Coronas Visualization

Author(s)

Galdino, Flavia E. ^{[1, 2]} ; Picco, Agustin S. ^[3] ; Capeletti, Larissa B. ^[2] ; Bettini, Jefferson ^[4] ; Cardoso, Mateus B. ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Inst Chem, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Natl Ctr Res Energy & Mat CNPEM, Brazilian Synchrotron Light Lab LNLS, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Nacl La Plata CONICET, Inst Invest Fisicoquim Teor & Aplicadas INIFTA, Faultad Ciencias Exactas, RA-1900 La Plata - Argentina

^[4] Natl Ctr Res Energy & Mat CNPEM, Brazilian Nanotechnol Natl Lab LNNano, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Nano Letters; v. 21, n. 19, p. 8250-8257, OCT 13 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Proteins spontaneously adsorb on nanoparticle surfaces when injected into the bloodstream. It drastically modifies the nanopartide's fate and how they interact with organs and cells. Although this protein layer (protein corona) has been widely studied, the robustness of the most employed characterization methods and the visualization of its unstained fractions remain open questions. Here, synchrotron-based small-angle X-ray scattering was used to follow the corona formation and estimate binding parameters. At the same time, transmission electron microscopy under cryogenic conditions associated with cross-correlation image processing and energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy allowed to determine protein corona morphology and thickness together with the visualization of its unstained hard and soft fractions. The above-presented strategy shows tremendous potential for deciphering fundamental protein corona aspects and can contribute to rational medical nanoparticle engineering. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/09555-9 - Influence of protein corona on interaction and internalization of silica nanoparticles in human cells: from two-dimensional to tri-dimensional images
• Grantee: Flávia Elisa Galdino
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/25406-5 - Organizing matter: colloids formed by association of surfactants, polymers and nanoparticles
• Grantee: Watson Loh
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/21910-8 - EVOLUTION OF SILICA NANOPARTICLES IN BIOLOGICAL MEDIA: A STUDY ON PROTEIN CORONA FORMATION, AGGREGATION AND CELLULAR UPTAKE
• Grantee: Agustín Silvio Picco
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral