Important role of serum proteins associated on the surface of particles in their hepatic disposition

Insights into Characterization Methods and Biomedical Applications of Nanoparticle-Protein Corona

Nanoparticles (NPs) exposed to a biological milieu will strongly interact with proteins, forming "coronas" on the surfaces of the NPs. The protein coronas (PCs) affect the properties of the NPs and provide a new biological identity to the particles in the biological environment. The characterization of NP-PC complexes has attracted enormous research attention, owing to the crucial effects of the properties of an NP-PC on its interactions with living systems, as well as the diverse applications of NP-PC complexes. The analysis of NP-PC complexes without a well-considered approach will inevitably lead to misunderstandings and inappropriate applications of NPs. This review introduces methods for the characterization of NP-PC complexes and investigates their recent applications in biomedicine. Furthermore, the review evaluates these characterization methods based on comprehensive critical views and provides future perspectives regarding the applications of NP-PC complexes.

Discrepancies in the in vitro and in vivo role of scavenger receptors in clearance of nanoparticles by Kupffer cells

Nanoparticles are recognized and cleared by Kupffer cells (KCs) in the liver. This process complicates the development of targeted nanoparticles because of significant reduction of number of nanoparticles that can reach target tissues. Macrophage scavenger receptor SR type AI/II is the central phagocytic receptor that has been shown to promote in vitro uptake of many nanoparticle types. In this paper, the authors set out to clarify the role of SR-AI/II in the in vivo liver clearance of 10kDa dextran superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) Feridex-IV® and 20kDa dextran-coated SPIO nanoworms (SPIO NWs). Feridex showed efficient SR-AI/II-dependent uptake by isolated KCs in vitro, whereas SPIO NWs showed no uptake by KCs. Both Feridex and SPIO NWs showed a very short and nearly identical circulation half-life and efficient uptake by KCs in vivo. The SR-AI/II inhibitor, polyinosinic acid, prolonged the circulation half-life of both Feridex and SPIO NWs, but did not reduce the KC uptake. The circulation half-life and KC uptake of Feridex and SPIO NWs were identical in SR-AI/II-deficient mice and wild-type mice. These data suggest: (1) there is a limited correlation between in vitro and in vivo uptake mechanisms of nanoparticles in KCs; and (2) redundant, SR-AI/II independent mechanisms play a significant role in the nanoparticle recognition by KCs in vivo. Understanding the complexity of nanoparticle clearance assays and mechanisms is an important step to improving the design of “stealthy” nanoparticles.

Opsonisation of nanoparticles prepared from poly(β-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(trimethylene carbonate)-b-poly(malic acid) amphiphilic diblock copolymers: Impact on the in vitro cell uptake by primary human macrophages and HepaRG hepatoma cells

The present work reports the investigation of the biocompatibility, opsonisation and cell uptake by human primary macrophages and HepaRG cells of nanoparticles (NPs) formulated from poly(β-malic acid)-b-poly(β-hydroxybutyrate) (PMLA-b-PHB) and poly(β-malic acid)-b-poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PMLA-b-PTMC) diblock copolymers, namely PMLA₈₀₀-b-PHB₇₃₀₀, PMLA₄₅₀₀-b-PHB₄₄₀₀, PMLA₂₅₀₀-b-PTMC₂₈₀₀ and PMLA₄₃₀₀-b-PTMC₁₄₀₀. NPs derived from PMLA-b-PHB and PMLA-b-PTMC do not trigger lactate dehydrogenase release and do not activate the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines demonstrating the excellent biocompatibility of these copolymers derived nano-objects. Using a protein adsorption assay, we demonstrate that the binding of plasma proteins is very low for PMLA-b-PHB-based nano-objects, and higher for those prepared from PMLA-b-PTMC copolymers. Moreover, a more efficient uptake by macrophages and HepaRG cells is observed for NPs formulated from PMLA-b-PHB copolymers compared to that of PMLA-b-PTMC-based NPs. Interestingly, the uptake in HepaRG cells of NPs formulated from PMLA₈₀₀-b-PHB₇₃₀₀ is much higher than that of NPs based on PMLA₄₅₀₀-b-PHB₄₄₀₀. In addition, the cell internalization of PMLA₈₀₀-b-PHB₇₃₀₀ based-NPs, probably through endocytosis, is strongly increased by serum pre-coating in HepaRG cells but not in macrophages. Together, these data strongly suggest that the binding of a specific subset of plasmatic proteins onto the PMLA₈₀₀-b-PHB₇₃₀₀-based NPs favors the HepaRG cell uptake while reducing that of macrophages.

Impact of protein pre-coating on the protein corona composition and nanoparticle cellular uptake

Nanoparticles (NPs) are functionalized with targeting ligands to enable selectively delivering drugs to desired locations in the body. When these functionalized NPs enter the blood stream, plasma proteins bind to their surfaces, forming a protein corona that affects NP uptake and targeting efficiency. To address this problem, new strategies for directing the formation of a protein corona that has targeting capabilities are emerging. Here, we have investigated the feasibility of directing corona composition to promote targeted NP uptake by specific types of cells. We used the well-characterized process of opsonin-induced phagocytosis by macrophages as a simplified model of corona-mediated NP uptake by a desired cell type. We demonstrate that pre-coating silica NPs with gamma-globulins (γ-globulins) produced a protein corona that was enriched with opsonins, such as immunoglobulins. Although immunoglobulins are ligands that bind to receptors on macrophages and elicit phagocytois, the opsonin-rich protein corona did not increase NP uptake by macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Immunolabeling experiments indicated that the binding of opsonins to their target cell surface receptors was impeded by other proteins in the corona. Thus, corona-mediated NP targeting strategies must optimize both the recruitment of the desired plasma proteins as well as their accessibility and orientation in the corona layer.

Protein corona composition of gold nanoparticles/nanorods affects amyloid beta fibrillation process

Protein fibrillation process (e.g., from amyloid beta (Aβ) and α-synuclein) is the main cause of several catastrophic neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson diseases. During the past few decades, nanoparticles (NPs) were recognized as one of the most promising tools for inhibiting the progress of the disease by controlling the fibrillation kinetic process; for instance, gold NPs have a strong capability to inhibit Aβ fibrillations. It is now well understood that a layer of biomolecules would cover the surface of NPs (so called "protein corona") upon the interaction of NPs with protein sources. Due to the fact that the biological species (e.g., cells and amyloidal proteins) "see" the protein corona coated NPs rather than the pristine coated particles, one should monitor the fibrillation process of amyloidal proteins in the presence of corona coated NPs (and not pristine coated ones). Therefore, the previously obtained data on NPs effects on the fibrillation process should be modified to achieve a more reliable and predictable in vivo results. Herein, we probed the effects of various gold NPs (with different sizes and shapes) on the fibrillation process of Aβ in the presence and absence of protein sources (i.e., serum and plasma). We found that the protein corona formed a shell at the surface of gold NPs, regardless of their size and shape, reducing the access of Aβ to the gold inhibitory surface and, therefore, affecting the rate of Aβ fibril formation. More specifically, the anti-fibrillation potencies of various corona coated gold NPs were strongly dependent on the protein source and their concentrations (10% serum/plasma (simulation of an in vitro milieu) and 100% serum/plasma (simulation of an in vivo milieu)).

Catalytic Properties and Biomedical Applications of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (Nanoceria) have shown promise as catalytic antioxidants in the test tube, cell culture models and animal models of disease. However given the reactivity that is well established at the surface of these nanoparticles, the biological utilization of Nanoceria as a therapeutic still poses many challenges. Moreover the form that these particles take in a biological environment, such as the changes that can occur due to a protein corona, are not well established. This review aims to summarize the existing literature on biological use of Nanoceria, and to raise questions about what further study is needed to apply this interesting catalytic material to biomedical applications. These questions include: 1) How does preparation, exposure dose, route and experimental model influence the reported effects of Nanoceria in animal studies? 2) What are the considerations to develop Nanoceria as a therapeutic agent in regards to these parameters? 3) What biological targets of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are relevant to this targeting, and how do these properties also influence the safety of these nanomaterials?

Ex situ evaluation of the composition of protein corona of intravenously injected superparamagnetic nanoparticles in rats

It is now well recognized that the surfaces of nanoparticles (NPs) are coated with biomolecules (e.g., proteins) in a biological medium. Although extensive reports have been published on the protein corona at the surface of NPs in vitro, there are very few on the in vivo protein corona. The main reason for having very poor information regarding the protein corona in vivo is that separation of NPs from the in vivo environment has not been possible by using available techniques. Knowledge of the in vivo protein corona could lead to better understanding and prediction of the fate of NPs in vivo. Here, by using the unique magnetic properties of superparamagnetic iron oxide NPs (SPIONs), NPs were extracted from rat sera after in vivo interaction with the rat's physiological system. More specifically, the in vivo protein coronas of polyvinyl-alcohol-coated SPIONs with various surface charges are defined. The compositions of the corona at the surface of various SPIONs and their effects on the biodistribution of SPIONs were examined and compared with the corona composition of particles incubated for the same time in rat serum.

Cryptic epitopes of albumin determine mononuclear phagocyte system clearance of nanomaterials

While plasma proteins can influence the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles, the adsorption of protein to the surface of nanomaterials can also alter the structure and function of the protein. Here, we show that plasma proteins form a hard corona around synthetic layered silicate nanoparticles (LSN) and that one of the principle proteins is serum albumin. The protein corona was required for recognition of the nanoparticles by scavenger receptors, a major receptor family associated with the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). Albumin alone could direct nanoparticle uptake by human macrophages, which involved class A but not class B scavenger receptors. Upon binding to LSN, albumin unfolded to reveal a cryptic epitope that could also be exposed by heat denaturation. This work provides an understanding of how albumin, and possibly other proteins, can promote nanomaterial recognition by the MPS without albumin requiring chemical modification for scavenger receptor recognition. These findings also demonstrate an additional function for albumin in vivo.

Variation of protein corona composition of gold nanoparticles following plasmonic heating

It is well recognized that the primary interaction of most biological environments with nanoparticles (NPs) is strongly influenced by a long-lived ("hard") protein corona that surrounds the NP and remains strongly adsorbed to its surface. The amount and composition of associated proteins in the corona adsorbed onto the NPs is related to several important factors, including the physicochemical properties of the NPs and the composition of the protein solution. Here, for the first time, it is shown that plasmonic heat induction (by laser activation) leads to significant changes in the composition of the hard protein corona adsorbed on low aspect ratio gold nanorods. Using mass spectrometry, several proteins in the corona were identified whose concentrations change most substantially as a result of photoinduced (plasmonic) heating versus simple thermal heating. Molecular modeling suggests that the origin of these changes in protein adsorption may be the result of protein conformational changes in response to much higher local temperatures that occur near the gold nanorods during photoinduced, plasmonic heating. These results may define new applications in vivo for NPs with hyperthermia capability and better define the likely interactions of cells with NPs after plasmonic heating. Potential changes in the protein corona following hyperthermia treatment may influence the final biological fate of plasmonic NPs in clinical applications and help elucidate safety considerations for hyperthermia applications.

Pharmacokinetic considerations for targeted drug delivery

Drug delivery systems involve technology designed to maximize therapeutic efficacy of drugs by controlling their biodistribution profile. In order to optimize a function of the delivery systems, their biodistribution characteristics should be systematically understood. Pharmacokinetic analysis based on the clearance concepts provides quantitative information of the biodistribution, which can be related to physicochemical properties of the delivery system. Various delivery systems including macromolecular drug conjugates, chemically or genetically modified proteins, and particulate drug carriers have been designed and developed so far. In this article, we review physiological and pharmacokinetic implications of the delivery systems.

Interactions of nanoparticles with plasma proteins: implication on clearance and toxicity of drug delivery systems

INTRODUCTION

Intravenously injected nanoparticles, like any other foreign pathogen that enters the body, encounter multiple lines of defense intended to neutralize and eliminate the invading substance. Adsorption of plasma proteins on the nanoparticle surface is the first barrier of defense, which could lead to physical changes in the formulation, such as aggregation and charge neutralization, biochemical activation of defense cascades, and trigger elimination by multiple types of phagocytic cell.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, recent knowledge on the mechanisms that govern the interactions of nanoparticles (micelles, liposomes, polymeric and inorganic nanoparticles) with plasma proteins is discussed. In particular, the role of the nanoparticle surface properties and protective polymer coating in these interactions is described. The mechanisms of protein adsorption on different nanoparticles are analyzed and the implications on the clearance, toxicity and efficacy of drug delivery are discussed. The review provides readers with the biological insight into the plasma/blood interactions of nanoparticles.

EXPERT OPINION

The immune recognition of nanoparticles can seriously affect the drug delivery efficacy and toxicity. There is at present not enough knowledge on the mechanisms that dictate the nanoparticle immune recognition and stability in the biological milieu. Understanding the mechanisms of recognition will become an important part of nanoparticle design.

Lung-specific delivery of paclitaxel by chitosan-modified PLGA nanoparticles via transient formation of microaggregates

Chitosan-modified paclitaxel-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 200-300 nm in distilled water were prepared by a solvent evaporation method. The mean diameter increased dramatically in contact with the mouse (CDF(1)) plasma, as a function of chitosan concentration in the modification solution (e.g., 2670.5 nm for 0.7% chitosan-modified nanoparticles, NP(3)), but reverted to almost its original size (i.e., 350.7 nm for NP(3)) following 5 min of gentle agitation. The zeta potential of PLGA nanoparticles was changed to positive by the chitosan modification. The in vitro uptake into, and cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles against, a lung cancer cell line (A549) were significantly increased by the modification. Most importantly, a lung-specific increase in the distribution index of paclitaxel (i.e., AUC(lung)/AUC(plasma)) was observed for chitosan-modified nanoparticles (e.g., 99.9 for NP(3) vs. 5.4 for Taxol) when nanoparticles were administered to lung-metastasized mice via the tail vein at a paclitaxel dose of 10 mg/kg. Transient formation of aggregates in the blood stream followed by enhanced trapping in the lung capillaries, and electrical interaction-mediated enhanced uptake across the endothelial cells of the lung tumor capillary appear to be responsible for the lung-tumor-specific distribution of the chitosan modified nanoparticles.

Time-dependent changes in opsonin amount associated on nanoparticles alter their hepatic uptake characteristics

The relationship between the time-dependent change in serum proteins adsorbed on nanoparticles and their disposition to the liver was investigated by employing lecithin-coated polystyrene nanosphere with a size of 50 nm (LNS-50) as a model nanoparticle in rats. The total amount of proteins adsorbed on LNS-50 increased and the qualitative profile of serum proteins adsorbed on LNS-50 changed during the incubation with serum up to 360 min. The liver perfusion study indicated that the hepatic uptake of LNS-50 incubated with serum for 360 min was significantly larger than those of LNS-50 incubated for shorter period. It was suggested that the increase in the hepatic uptake of LNS-50 with the increase in incubation time would be ascribed mainly to the increase in the opsonin-mediated uptake by Kupffer cells. Semi-quantification of major opsonins, complement C3 (C3) and immunoglobulin G (IgG), and in vitro uptake study in primary cultured Kupffer cells demonstrated that the increase in C3 and IgG amounts adsorbed on LNS-50 was directly reflected in the increased disposition of LNS-50 to Kupffer cells. These results indicate that the amounts of opsonins associated on nanoparticles would change over time and this process would be substantially reflected in the alteration of their hepatic disposition characteristics.

Nanoparticles for drug delivery: the need for precision in reporting particle size parameters

Polymeric drug-loaded nanoparticles have been extensively studied in the field of drug delivery. Biodistribution depends on the physicochemical properties of particles, especially size. The global message from the literature is that small particles have an enhanced ability to reach their target. The present review highlights the difficulties in validating the data from biodistribution studies without accurate particle size determination.

Involvement of complement receptor 3 (CR3) and scavenger receptor in macrophage responses to wear debris

The ability of prosthetic wear debris to induce pro-inflammatory responses in macrophages is widely appreciated, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in particle recognition. Specifically, the nature of the cell surface receptors that interact with wear debris is poorly understood. Elucidating the identities of these receptors and how they interact with different types of wear debris are critical to understanding how wear debris initiates periprosthetic osteolysis. We examined the involvement of opsonization, complement receptor 3 (CR3), and scavenger receptor A (SRA), in responses to polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and titanium wear particles. Serum dependence of pro-inflammatory responses to PMMA and titanium was tested, and serum proteins that adhered to these two types of particles were identified. Several serum proteins, including known opsonins such as C3bi and fibronectin, adhered to PMMA but not titanium, and serum was required for pro-inflammatory signaling induced by PMMA, but not by titanium. Phagocytosis of PMMA and titanium by macrophages was demonstrated by flow cytometry. Blocking CR3 specifically inhibited phagocytosis of PMMA by macrophages, whereas blocking SRA specifically inhibited titanium uptake. Direct involvement of CR3 and SRA in cell-particle interaction was assessed by expression of these receptors in nonphagocytic HEK293 cells. CR3 specifically induced cell binding to PMMA particles and adhesion to PMMA-coated plates, while SRA specifically induced binding to titanium particles and adhesion to titanium-coated plates. Taken together, these results suggest involvement of opsonization, complement, and integrin receptors, including CR3 and fibronectin receptors, in PMMA action, and an involvement of scavenger receptors in responses to titanium.

Gold Nanoparticles as a Versatile Platform for Optimizing Physicochemical Parameters for Targeted Drug Delivery

The development of targeted vehicles for systemic drug delivery relies on optimizing both the cell-targeting ligand and the physicochemical characteristics of the nanoparticle carrier. A versatile platform based on modification of gold nanoparticles with thiolated polymers is presented in which design parameters can be varied independently and systematically. Nanoparticle formulations of varying particle size, surface charge, surface hydrophilicity, and galactose ligand density were prepared by conjugation of PEG-thiol and galactose-PEG-thiol to gold colloids. This platform was applied to screen for nanoparticle formulations that demonstrate hepatocyte-targeted delivery in vivo. Nanoparticle size and the presence of galactose ligands were found to significantly impact the targeting efficiency. Thus, this platform can be readily applied to determine design parameters for targeted drug delivery systems.Modified gold nanoparticles are a suitable model for nanoparticle-based gene carriers.

The adaptive response of the reticuloendothelial system to major liver resection in humans

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the contribution of the liver to total circulatory reticuloendothelial system (RES) phagocytosis capacity in patients undergoing liver resection and to compare it with values in end-stage chronic liver disease.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

The mechanism whereby major liver resection is associated with a high incidence of infection is unknown. Significant impairment of RES phagocytosis has been described in liver failure, rendering such patients susceptible to infection; and we hypothesized that similar impairment might occur following major liver resection.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted in which Tc-albumin microspheres blood clearance served as a parameter for RES phagocytosis and was studied together with indocyanine green blood clearance, actual liver volume measured by three-dimensional image analysis, and a clinical score of hepatic dysfunction in 17 patients undergoing liver resection and in 8 patients with end-stage chronic liver disease assessed for liver transplantation.

RESULTS

When expressed relative to volume unit of residual liver, microspheres clearance increased significantly in the immediate postoperative period (day 1) following major (0.009% versus 0.022% min(-1) mL(-1), P < 0.001), but not minor liver resection. In contrast, the absolute rate of microsphere clearance decreased following major resection (15% min(-1) versus 10% min(-1), P < 0.001) and was comparable with the rate observed in end-stage chronic liver disease (9% min(-1)). This decrease in circulatory microspheres clearance after resection paralleled a decrease in indocyanine green clearance (R2 = 0.511, P = 0.006), and there was a trend for those with moderate liver dysfunction to have lower microspheres clearance rates (P = 0.068).

CONCLUSION

Preservation of a minimum volume of functioning liver is a prerequisite for adequate RES phagocytosis capacity, and failure of this system may predispose patients undergoing major liver resection to infection as observed in clinical studies.

Hepatic uptake of negatively charged particles in rats: possible involvement of serum proteins in recognition by scavenger receptor

The mechanisms involved in the hepatic uptake of negatively charged carboxylated-polystyrene nanospheres with a size of 50 nm (CNS-50) were examined in rats. The liver perfusion experiments revealed that hepatic disposition of CNS-50 in the absence of serum could be partially ascribed to the direct recognition of the surface negative charge by scavenger receptors. On the other hand, the apparent negative charge of CNS-50 surface dramatically reduced in the presence of serum, because the adsorption of serum protein on their surface results in masking their intrinsic negative charge. However, hepatic disposition of CNS-50 in the presence of serum was significantly inhibited by poly inosinic acid (poly I), a typical inhibitor for scavenger receptors, and the extent of inhibition by poly I was even larger than that in the absence of serum, suggesting that the serum proteins associated on CNS-50 surface could be recognized by scavenger receptors. These results indicate that not only the intrinsic negative charge but also serum proteins associated on the surface play an important role in hepatic uptake of negatively charged particles via scavenger receptors.

Pre-coating with serum albumin reduces receptor-mediated hepatic disposition of polystyrene nanosphere: implications for rational design of nanoparticles

We evaluated the in vivo disposition characteristics of polystyrene nanospheres (NS) with the particle size of 50 nm (NS-50) pre-coated with human serum albumin (HSA) after intravenous administration in rats. HSA-coated NS-50 showed much longer blood-circulating property and the hepatic uptake clearance for HSA-coated NS-50 was about 1/5 of that for NS-50. In parallel with the results obtained in the in vivo study, liver perfusion experiments also showed that the hepatic disposition of HSA-coated NS-50 was much less than that of NS-50 in the presence of serum in the perfusate. To unravel the mechanism behind the less affinity of HSA-coated NS-50 to the liver, serum proteins associated on the surface was quantitatively and qualitatively assessed. The results indicated that pre-coated HSA impaired subsequent association of serum proteins onto the surface, suggesting that the association of a given serum protein with opsonic activity might be suppressed by HSA pre-coating. From these findings, pre-coating of nanoparticles with serum albumin could be useful to prevent their rapid clearance by mononuclear phagocyte system in vivo.