Qualitative and semiquantitative analysis of the protein coronas associated to different functionalized nanoparticles

Abstract

Aim: The investigation on protein coronas (PCs) adsorbed onto nanoparticle (NP) surface is representing an open issue due to difficulties in detection and clear isolation of the adsorbed proteins. In this study, we investigated protocols able to isolate the compositions of PCs of three polymeric NPs.

Materials & methods: Unfunctionalized NPs and two functionalized NPs were considered as proof-of-concept for the qualitative and semiquantitative analysis of both the corona levels (stably or weakly adsorbed coronas [SC/WC]) of these different nanocarriers.

Results: The protocols applied were able to discriminate between the SC and WC. In particular, experimental results indicated that stably adsorbed coronas are prevalently composed by ApoE, while WC by albumin in all the NPs. Otherwise, some differences in WC could be correlated with surface functionalization.

Conclusion: This experimental approach allows characterizing the whole PCs, proposing a protocol for isolation of different types of proteins composing PCs.

Keywords: functionalized nanoparticles; protein corona; proteomic analysis; stably adsorbed corona; weakly adsorbed corona.