Protein bio-corona: critical issue in immune nanotoxicology

Arch Toxicol. 2017 Mar;91(3):1031-1048. doi: 10.1007/s00204-016-1797-5. Epub 2016 Jul 20.

Abstract

With the expansion of the nanomedicine field, the knowledge focusing on the behavior of nanoparticles in the biological milieu has rapidly escalated. Upon introduction to a complex biological system, nanomaterials dynamically interact with all the encountered biomolecules and form the protein "bio-corona." The decoration with these surface biomolecules endows nanoparticles with new properties. The present review will address updates of the protein bio-corona characteristics as influenced by nanoparticle's physicochemical properties and by the particularities of the encountered biological milieu. Undeniably, bio-corona generation influences the efficacy of the nanodrug and guides the actions of innate and adaptive immunity. Exploiting the dynamic process of protein bio-corona development in combination with the new engineered horizons of drugs linked to nanoparticles could lead to innovative functional nanotherapies. Therefore, bio-medical nanotechnologies should focus on the interactions of nanoparticles with the immune system for both safety and efficacy reasons.

Keywords: Bio-corona; Immunological identity; Nanoparticle.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Immunity, Innate / drug effects
  • Nanomedicine / methods*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / toxicity*
  • Particle Size
  • Protein Corona / chemistry
  • Protein Corona / immunology*
  • Protein Corona / metabolism

Substances

  • Protein Corona