Impact of silica nanoparticle surface chemistry on protein corona formation and consequential interactions with biological cells

•50 nm silica nanoparticles (NP) were functionalized with NH2 or COOH groups ± PEG.•NP were incubated with macrophages, NP uptake was enhanced in absence of PEG.•NP adsorption at the cell membrane was enhanced for positively charged NP.•Key role of chemical surface functionalization in NP/cell interactions•Key role of chemical surface functionalization in the protein corona formation

Nanoparticles (NP) physico-chemical features greatly influence NP/cell interactions. NP surface functionalization is often used to improve NP biocompatibility or to enhance cellular uptake. But in biological media, the formation of a protein corona adds a level of complexity. The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro the influence of NP surface functionalization on their cellular uptake and the biological response induced. 50 nm fluorescent silica NP were functionalized either with amine or carboxylic groups, in presence or in absence of polyethylene glycol (PEG). NP were incubated with macrophages, cellular uptake and cellular response were assessed in terms of cytotoxicity, pro-inflammatory response and oxidative stress. The NP protein corona was also characterized by protein mass spectroscopy. Results showed that NP uptake was enhanced in absence of PEG, while NP adsorption at the cell membrane was fostered by an initial positively charged NP surface. NP toxicity was not correlated with NP uptake. NP surface functionalization also influenced the formation of the protein corona as the profile of protein binding differed among the NP types.

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