Nanoparticle-Protein Interaction: Demystifying the Correlation between Protein Corona and Aggregation Phenomena

Author(s)

Ferreira, Larissa Fernanda ; Picco, Agustin Silvio ; Galdino, Flavia Elisa ; Calumby Albuquerque, Lindomar Jose ; Berret, Jean-Francois ; Cardoso, Mateus Borba

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES; v. 14, n. 25, p. 11-pg., 2022-06-13.

Abstract

Protein corona formation and nanoparticles' aggregation have been heavily discussed over the past years since the lack of fine-mapping of these two combined effects has hindered the targeted delivery evolution and the personalized nanomedicine development. We present a multitechnique approach that combines dynamic light and small-angle X-ray scattering techniques with cryotransmission electron microscopy in a given fashion that efficiently distinguishes protein corona from aggregates formation. This methodology was tested using similar to 25 nm model silica nanoparticles incubated with either model proteins or biologically relevant proteomes (such as fetal bovine serum and human plasma) in low and high ionic strength buffers to precisely tune particle-to-protein interactions. In this work, we were able to differentiate protein corona, small aggregates formation, and massive aggregation, as well as obtain fractal information on the aggregates reliably and straightforwardly. The strategy presented here can be expanded to other particle-to-protein mixtures and might be employed as a quality control platform for samples that undergo biological tests. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/02145-7 - Study of the interaction between proteins and functionalized silica nanoparticles
• Grantee: Larissa Fernanda Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• 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: 21/12071-6 - Tailoring colloids through supramolecular interactions: from fundamentals to applications
• Grantee: Watson Loh
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/00767-3 - Developing nanoparticle formulations in powder form with excellent redispersibility: facing a major challenge in Nanomedicine
• Grantee: Mateus Borba Cardoso
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research 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
• FAPESP's process: 19/24894-7 - Nano-biological consequences of multi-charged surface silica nanoparticles on the formation of the protein corona, colloidal stability, biocompatibility, and cellular uptake
• Grantee: Lindomar Jose Calumby Albuquerque
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• 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