Nanoparticle protein corona (NP-PC)

The nanoparticle protein corona is a complex coating of proteins and other biomolecules that spontaneously forms on the surface of nanoparticles when they come into contact with biological fluids such as blood, plasma, or interstitial fluid (Monopoli et al., 2012). This corona is categorized into a hard corona of tightly bound proteins and a soft corona of weakly interacting, rapidly exchanging proteins (Walkey & Chan, 2012). It effectively masks the nanoparticle's original surface chemistry, providing it with a biological identity that determines its physiological fate, including its circulation time, biodistribution, and cellular internalization pathways (Brummer et al., 2020). While the corona can lead to rapid clearance by the mononuclear phagocyte system through opsonization, it can also be exploited for targeted delivery; for instance, the adsorption of apolipoproteins can facilitate transport across the blood-brain barrier (Cejka et al., 2020). Consequently, the protein corona is a pivotal factor in the design and efficacy of nanotherapeutics, influencing both their safety profile and therapeutic outcomes.

Other names

Protein coronaBiomolecular coronaNP-protein coronaHard coronaSoft corona

The protein corona dictates the biological identity of nanoparticles, modulating their interaction with cell surface receptors and the immune system (Walkey & Chan, 2012).