Reduced cytotoxicity of nanomaterials driven by nano-bio interactions: Case study of single protein coronas enveloping polymersomes

The protein adsorption onto poly(acrylic acid) -block-polystyrene (PAA(22)-b-PS144) polymersomes has been investigated with regard to structural features, thermodynamic aspects and biological consequences. The light scattering measurements revealed the formation of protein coronas enveloping the polymeric capsules regardless of the chemical nature of the biomacromolecules. The experiments were conducted by using lysozyme, immunoglobulin G IgG and bovine serum albumin BSA as model proteins due to their differences concerning size and residual surface charge at physiological pH. The protein adsorption was further confirmed by isothermal titration calorimetry, and the experimental data suggest that the phenomenon is mainly governed by hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions. The pre-existing protein layer via the pre-incubation in protein environments notably attenuates the cytotoxicity of the nanomaterial compared to the pristine counterparts. This approach can possibly be extended to different types of assemblies when intermolecular interactions are able to induce protein adsorption and the development of protein coronas around nanoparticles. Such fairly simple method may be convenient to engineer safer nanomaterials towards a variety of biomedical applications when the nanotoxicity is an issue. Additionally, the strategy can possibly be used to tailor the surface properties of nanoparticles by adsorbing specific proteins for targeting purposes.