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Toward a molecular understanding of nanoparticle–protein interactions

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Abstract

Wherever nanoparticles (NPs) come in contact with a living organism, physical and chemical interactions take place between the surfaces of the NPs and biomatter, in particular proteins. When NP are exposed to biological fluids, an adsorption layer of proteins, a “protein corona” forms around the NPs. Consequently, living systems interact with the protein-coated NP rather than with a bare NP. To anticipate biological responses to NPs, we thus require comprehensive knowledge of the interactions at the bio–nano interface. In recent years, a wide variety of biophysical techniques have been employed to elucidate mechanistic aspects of NP–protein interactions. In this brief review, we present the latest findings regarding the composition of the protein corona as it forms on NPs in the blood stream. We also discuss molecular aspects of this adsorption layer and its time evolution. The current state of knowledge is summarized, and issues that still need to be addressed to further advance our understanding of NP–protein interactions are identified.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) through the Center for Functional Nanostructures (CFN) and the Priority Program SPP1313.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Applied Physics and Center for Functional Nanostructures (CFN), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76128, Karlsruhe, Germany

    Lennart Treuel & Gerd Ulrich Nienhaus

  2. Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141, Essen, Germany

    Lennart Treuel

  3. Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    Gerd Ulrich Nienhaus

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Correspondence to Lennart Treuel.

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Treuel, L., Nienhaus, G.U. Toward a molecular understanding of nanoparticle–protein interactions. Biophys Rev 4, 137–147 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12551-012-0072-0

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