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Zhang Z, Ou L, Yang K, Yuan B. Energy and Speed Landscapes of the Membrane Internalization Behavior of Soft Nanoparticles. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:2632-2639. [PMID: 38467492 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c07177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
The cellular endocytosis of nanoparticles (NPs) is a fundamental biological process with significant potential in biomedical applications. However, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanistic aspects of endocytosis and the impact of particle properties on this process remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the membrane-wrapping behavior of soft NPs (SNPs) with varying rigidities using theoretical calculations. Our findings reveal that the membrane-wrapping process of SNPs involves a complex energy change including the possible existence of an energy barrier; moreover, it is found that the location and height of this barrier strongly depend on the mechanistic properties of the NPs and membranes. Additionally, by considering force balance in the membrane-wrapping process, we calculated the speed at which NP is internalized by the membrane, showing a nonmonotonic dependence on particle rigidity and/or wrapping degree. These phenomena can be attributed to competition between different energy components associated with NP-membrane binding, membrane tension, and deformations occurring during SNP-membrane interaction processes. Our results contribute to a deeper understanding of cellular-level endocytosis mechanisms and offer potential applications for soft NPs in biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Zhang
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu,China
| | - Luping Ou
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu,China
| | - Kai Yang
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu,China
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong,China
| | - Bing Yuan
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong,China
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Chen H, Dong X, Ou L, Ma C, Yuan B, Yang K. Thermal-controlled cellular uptake of "hot" nanoparticles. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:12718-12727. [PMID: 37470374 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr02449k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) have shown immense potential in the field of biomedical applications, particularly in NP-based photothermal therapy, which offers a remote-controlled approach to achieve precise temperature control for site-specific heating and sub-cellular tumor treatment. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying related cellular activities, such as the cellular uptake behavior of irradiated NPs in photothermal effects, remain elusive. In this study, we conducted a thorough investigation of the interaction between an irradiated NP with elevated temperature (ranging from 270 to 360 K) and a model bilayer membrane composed of DPPC or DOPC using nonequilibrium coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations with the implicit-solvent Dry Martini force field. We observe that the interaction between a "hot" NP and a membrane is thermally regulated. In addition, the wrapping of membranes around NPs exhibits a strong dependence on the temperature of the irradiated NP, demonstrating a step-like change in behavior. This membrane wrapping effect is attributed to the heat conduction between NPs and membrane lipids, which occurs almost simultaneously with the membrane deformation and wrapping of NPs during the NP-membrane interaction process. Especially, during the process of heat conduction, a gel-to-fluid phase transition of the membrane may occur, which plays a crucial role in determining the deformation behavior of the membrane. Moreover, it is found that the membrane lipids in the two leaflets exhibit obvious and asymmetric molecular-level responses to heat flux, characterized by significant changes in packing states (e.g., the order parameter of lipid tails and area per lipid) and possible interdigitation between lipids. Furthermore, the thermal-controlled wrapping effect is tightly linked to the properties of NPs (e.g., size, NP-lipid affinity) and lipid species. Our findings are valuable for comprehending the thermal-regulated cellular internalization of NPs and offer insights into devising strategies to precisely modulate NP endocytosis by exploiting the interplay between heating and NP properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Chen
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xuewei Dong
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Luping Ou
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Chiyun Ma
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Bing Yuan
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong, China
| | - Kai Yang
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu, China.
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong, China
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Mardi N, Haiaty S, Rahbarghazi R, Mobarak H, Milani M, Zarebkohan A, Nouri M. Exosomal transmission of viruses, a two-edged biological sword. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:19. [PMID: 36691072 PMCID: PMC9868521 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-01037-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
As a common belief, most viruses can egress from the host cells as single particles and transmit to uninfected cells. Emerging data have revealed en bloc viral transmission as lipid bilayer-cloaked particles via extracellular vesicles especially exosomes (Exo). The supporting membrane can be originated from multivesicular bodies during intra-luminal vesicle formation and autophagic response. Exo are nano-sized particles, ranging from 40-200 nm, with the ability to harbor several types of signaling molecules from donor to acceptor cells in a paracrine manner, resulting in the modulation of specific signaling reactions in target cells. The phenomenon of Exo biogenesis consists of multiple and complex biological steps with the participation of diverse constituents and molecular pathways. Due to similarities between Exo biogenesis and virus replication and the existence of shared pathways, it is thought that viruses can hijack the Exo biogenesis machinery to spread and evade immune cells. To this end, Exo can transmit complete virions (as single units or aggregates), separate viral components, and naked genetic materials. The current review article aims to scrutinize challenges and opportunities related to the exosomal delivery of viruses in terms of viral infections and public health. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narges Mardi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sanya Haiaty
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Reza Rahbarghazi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Imam Reza St., Golgasht St., Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Halimeh Mobarak
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Imam Reza St., Golgasht St., Tabriz, Iran
| | - Morteza Milani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amir Zarebkohan
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Nouri
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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4
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Ou L, Chen H, Yuan B, Yang K. Membrane-Specific Binding of 4 nm Lipid Nanoparticles Mediated by an Entropy-Driven Interaction Mechanism. ACS NANO 2022; 16:18090-18100. [PMID: 36278503 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c04774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are a leading biomimetic drug delivery platform due to their distinctive advantages and highly tunable formulations. A mechanistic understanding of the interaction between LNPs and cell membranes is essential for developing the cell-targeted carriers for precision medicine. Here the interactions between sub 10 nm cationic LNPs (cLNPs; e.g., 4 nm in size) and varying model cell membranes are systematically investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. We find that the membrane-binding behavior of cLNPs is governed by a two-step mechanism that is initiated by direct contact followed by a more crucial lipid exchange (dissociation of cLNP's coating lipids and subsequent flip and intercalation into the membrane). Importantly, our simulations demonstrate that the membrane binding of cLNPs is an entropy-driven process, which thus enables cLNPs to differentiate between membranes having different lipid compositions (e.g., the outer and inner membranes of bacteria vs the red blood cell membranes). Accordingly, the possible strategies to drive the membrane-targeting behaviors of cLNPs, which mainly depend on the entropy change in the complicated entropy-enthalpy competition of the cLNP-membrane interaction process, are investigated. Our work unveils the molecular mechanism underlying the membrane selectivity of cLNPs and provides useful hints to develop cLNPs as membrane-targeting agents for precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luping Ou
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research, School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou215006, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Haibo Chen
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research, School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou215006, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Bing Yuan
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan523808, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Yang
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research, School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou215006, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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Li L, Hu J, Różycki B, Ji J, Song F. Interplay of receptor-ligand binding and lipid domain formation during cell adhesion. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1019477. [PMID: 36203878 PMCID: PMC9531914 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1019477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell adhesion involved in biological processes such as cell migration, immune responses, and cancer metastasis, is mediated by the specific binding of receptor and ligand proteins. Some of these proteins exhibit affinity for nanoscale lipid clusters in cell membranes. A key question is how these nanoscale lipid clusters influence and react to the receptor-ligand binding during cell adhesion. In this article, we review recent computational studies that shed new light on the interplay of the receptor-ligand binding and the formation of lipid domains in adhering membranes. These studies indicate that the receptor-ligand binding promotes coalescence of lipid clusters into mesoscale domains, which, in turn, enhances both the affinity and cooperativity of the receptor-ligand binding in cell-cell adhesion with mobile ligands. In contrast, in the case of cell-extracellular matrix adhesion with immobile ligands, the receptor-ligand binding and the lipid cluster coalescence can be correlated or anti-correlated, depending strongly on the ligand distribution. These findings deepen our understanding of correlations between cell adhesion and membrane heterogeneities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Li
- Kuang Yaming Honors School and Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinglei Hu
- Kuang Yaming Honors School and Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Jinglei Hu, ; Bartosz Różycki, ; Jing Ji,
| | - Bartosz Różycki
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- *Correspondence: Jinglei Hu, ; Bartosz Różycki, ; Jing Ji,
| | - Jing Ji
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (Beihang University), Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Jinglei Hu, ; Bartosz Różycki, ; Jing Ji,
| | - Fan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Engineering Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Li YX, Wang N, Hasan MM, Pang HB. Co-administration of Transportan Peptide Enhances the Cellular Entry of Liposomes in the Bystander Manner Both In Vitro and In Vivo. Mol Pharm 2022; 19:4123-4134. [PMID: 36070496 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Liposomes have been widely used as a drug delivery vector. One way to further improve its therapeutic efficacy is to increase the cell entry efficiency. Covalent conjugation with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) and other types of ligands has been the mainstream strategy to tackle this issue. Although efficient, it requires additional chemical modifications on liposomes, which is undesirable for clinical translation. Our previous study showed that the transportan (TP) peptide, an amphiphilic CPP, was able to increase the cellular uptake of co-administered, but not covalently coupled, metallic nanoparticles (NPs). Termed bystander uptake, this process represents a simpler method to increase the cell entry of NPs without chemical modifications. Here, we extended our efforts to liposomes. Our results showed that co-administration with the TP peptide improved the internalization of liposome into a variety of cell lines in vitro. This effect was also observed in primary cells, ex vivo tumor slices, and in vivo tumor tissues. On the other hand, this peptide-assisted liposome internalization did not apply to cationic CPPs, which were the main inducers for bystander uptake in previous studies. We also found that TP-assisted bystander uptake of liposome is receptor dependent, and its activity is more sensitive to the inhibitors of the macropinocytosis pathway, underlining the potential cell entry mechanism. Overall, our study provides a simple strategy based on TP co-administration to increase the cell entry of liposomes, which may open up new avenues to apply TP peptides in nanotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Xuan Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Nianwu Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - M Mahadi Hasan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Hong-Bo Pang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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Li Y, Zhang M, Niu X, Yue T. Selective membrane wrapping on differently sized nanoparticles regulated by clathrin assembly: A computational model. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022; 214:112467. [PMID: 35366575 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) enter cells via multiple pathways, all of which are NP size dependent. Previous studies indicated that the clathrin-mediated endocytosis has different selectivity for the NP size, but the regulatory mechanism remains unclear and difficult to study at the molecular scale in vivo. By means of computer simulation, here we design membrane wrapping on differently sized NPs with mimic clathrin assembly at the opposite membrane side. With relatively large NPs readily wrapped by a pure membrane as manifested, clathrin modulates the process and tunes the size selectivity. Although finite curvature can be generated by cage-like clathrin assembly to facilitate membrane wrapping on relatively small NPs, the clathrin assemblage has a certain range of size, which is mismatched with larger NPs. Besides, the local membrane patch is rigidified by clathrin to increase the barrier of membrane wrapping on larger NPs. Competition of these items determines whether membrane wrapping on NPs is promoted or suppressed, and can be tuned by the NP-membrane adhesion strength, clathrin concentration, and inter-NP distance. Our results highlight the significance of complex environment in altering the nature of NP interaction with cell membranes, and are expected to help design NPs for biomedical applications requiring precise control of NP uptake or cell membrane attachment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Man Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xinhui Niu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Tongtao Yue
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China.
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Wei Y, Chen H, Li YX, He K, Yang K, Pang HB. Synergistic Entry of Individual Nanoparticles into Mammalian Cells Driven by Free Energy Decline and Regulated by Their Sizes. ACS NANO 2022; 16:5885-5897. [PMID: 35302738 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c11068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cell entry is one of the common prerequisites for nanomaterial applications. Despite extensive studies on a homogeneous group of nanoparticles (NPs), fewer studies have been performed when two or more types of NPs were coadministrated. We previously described a synergistic cell entry process for two heterogeneous groups of NPs, where NPs functionalized with TAT (transactivator of transcription) peptide (T-NPs) stimulate the cellular uptake of coadministered unfunctionalized NPs (bystander NPs, B-NPs). Here, we show that the synergistic cell entry of NPs is driven by free energy decline and depends on B-NP sizes. Simulations showed that when separately placed initially, two NPs first move toward each other instead of initiating cell entry individually. Only T-NP invokes an inward bending of membrane mimicking endocytosis, which attracts the nearby NPs into the same "vesicle". A two-phase free energy decline of the entire system occurred as two NPs get closer until contact, which is likely the thermodynamic driver for synergistic NP coentry. Experimentally, we found that T-NPs increase the apparent affinity of B-NPs to plasma membrane, suggesting that T-NPs help B-NPs "trapped" in the endocytic vesicles. Next, we varied the sizes of B-NPs and found that bystander activity peaks around 50 nm. Simulations also showed that the size of B-NPs influences the free energy decline, and thus the tendency and dynamics of NP coentry. These efforts provide a system to further understand the synergistic cell entry among individual NPs or multiple NP types on a biophysical basis and shed light on the future design of nanostructures for intracellular delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushuang Wei
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Haibo Chen
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Yue-Xuan Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Kejie He
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Kai Yang
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Hong-Bo Pang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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de Boer I, Richards CJ, Åberg C. Simultaneous Exposure of Different Nanoparticles Influences Cell Uptake. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:136. [PMID: 35057032 PMCID: PMC8779877 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14010136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug delivery using nano-sized carriers holds tremendous potential for curing a range of diseases. The internalisation of nanoparticles by cells, however, remains poorly understood, restricting the possibility for optimising entrance into target cells, avoiding off-target cells and evading clearance. The majority of nanoparticle cell uptake studies have been performed in the presence of only the particle of interest; here, we instead report measurements of uptake when the cells are exposed to two different types of nanoparticles at the same time. We used carboxylated polystyrene nanoparticles of two different sizes as a model system and exposed them to HeLa cells in the presence of a biomolecular corona. Using flow cytometry, we quantify the uptake at both average and individual cell level. Consistent with previous literature, we show that uptake of the larger particles is impeded in the presence of competing smaller particles and, conversely, that uptake of the smaller particles is promoted by competing larger particles. While the mechanism(s) underlying these observations remain(s) undetermined, we are partly able to restrain the likely possibilities. In the future, these effects could conceivably be used to enhance uptake of nano-sized particles used for drug delivery, by administering two different types of particles at the same time.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christoffer Åberg
- Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (I.d.B.); (C.J.R.)
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Lin X, Lin X. Designing amphiphilic Janus nanoparticles with tunable lipid raft affinity via molecular dynamics simulation. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:8249-8258. [PMID: 34757373 DOI: 10.1039/d1bm01364e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Due to the differential interactions among lipids and proteins, the plasma membrane can segregate into a series of functional nanoscale membrane domains ("lipid rafts"), which are essential in multiple biological processes such as signaling transduction, protein trafficking and endocytosis. On the other hand, Janus nanoparticles (NPs) have shown great promise in various biomedical applications due to their asymmetric characteristics and can integrate different surface properties and thus synergetic functions. Hence, in this work, we aim to design an amphiphilic Janus NP to target and regulate lipid rafts via tuning its surface ligand amphiphilicity using coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Our μs-scale free coarse-grained MD simulations as well as umbrella sampling free energy calculations indicated that the hydrophobicity of the hydrophobic surface ligands not only determined the lateral membrane partitioning thermodynamics of Janus NPs in phase-separated lipid membranes, but also the difficulty in their insertion into different membrane domains of the lipid membrane. These two factors jointly regulated the lipid raft affinity of Janus NPs. Meanwhile, the hydrophilicity of the hydrophilic surface ligands could affect the insertion ability of Janus NPs. Besides, the ultra-small size could ensure the membrane-bound behavior of Janus NPs without disrupting the overall structure and phase separation kinetics of the lipid membrane. These results may provide valuable insights into the design of functional NPs targeting and controllably regulating lipid rafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqian Lin
- Institute of Single Cell Engineering, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China. .,Shen Yuan Honors College, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xubo Lin
- Institute of Single Cell Engineering, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
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