The interaction between nanomaterials and plasma membranes plays an important role in biological processes. An increasing number of computational and experimental studies have investigated the direct interaction between nanomaterials and plasma membranes. However, once entering physiological media, nanomaterials quickly pick up biomolecules around them and are covered by a biomolecular corona which defines many of their biological outcomes.<br/>To elucidate how this protein corona affects the interplay between nanomaterials and the plasma membrane, we chose polystyrene nanoparticles with various surface charges and coatings, and we studied protein corona formation on these nanoparticles after being incubated in serum. Furthermore, we observed their adhesion to cultured cells as well as cellular uptake. As an artificial platform to mimic plasma membranes, giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) were utilized to interpret this interaction. We successfully manufactured GUVs from total lipid extracts of natural organs and investigated the interaction with polystyrene nanoparticles in the presence or absence of protein corona. We found that a protein corona reduced adhesion of nanoparticles onto both biomimetic lipid bilayers and cell membranes. Meanwhile, differences in lipid compositions resulted in varied behaviors in the presence of a protein corona. This study evaluates the capability of artificial lipid bilayers to mimic plasma membranes and provides fundamental insights for the development of drug delivery vehicles.<br/>

Protein corona formation on nanoparticles and its effect on interaction with biological membranes

2019 Spring National Meeting

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