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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
09:56
High Resolution Physical Characterization of Single Metallic Nanoparticles
Published on: June 28, 2019
Differential plasma protein binding to metal oxide nanoparticles
Zhou J Deng1, Gysell Mortimer, Tara Schiller
1School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
Nanotechnology
|October 14, 2009
Summary
Metal oxide nanoparticles bind diverse human plasma proteins, influencing their biological fate. Particle properties like shape and agglomeration in biological media affect protein adsorption, impacting nanoparticle interactions with cells and tissues.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Nanoparticles interact with biological fluids, adsorbing proteins that influence their behavior in vivo.
- Previous research focused on various nanoparticles, but metal oxides, common in public exposure, are less studied regarding protein binding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the binding of human plasma proteins to commercially available titanium dioxide (TiO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2), and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles.
- To understand how nanoparticle physicochemical properties influence protein adsorption.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ultracentrifugation, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry.
- Analyzed protein binding to TiO2, SiO2, and ZnO nanoparticles in buffer and biological media.
Main Results:
- Despite similar surface charges, the metal oxide nanoparticles bound different plasma proteins.
- Nanoparticle shape (for TiO2) and agglomeration in biological media (for TiO2 and ZnO) increased protein binding.
- Identified key functional proteins, including immunoglobulins, lipoproteins, acute-phase proteins, and those in complement and coagulation pathways.
Conclusions:
- Metal oxide nanoparticle type, shape, and agglomeration significantly affect human plasma protein adsorption.
- Understanding protein binding is crucial for predicting nanoparticle interactions with biological systems and their in vivo fate.
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