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Polystyrene Nanoparticles Activate Erythrocyte Aggregation and Adhesion to Endothelial Cells
Gregory Barshtein1, Leonid Livshits2, Leonid D Shvartsman3
1Department of Biochemistry, The Faculty of Medicine, Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel.
Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics
|March 15, 2016
Summary
Red blood cell-nanoparticle complexes (RBCNP) enhance nanoparticle circulation time. However, these RBCNP increase red blood cell aggregation and adhesion to endothelial cells, potentially impacting their use as drug carriers.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Hematology
Background:
- Nanoparticles (NPs) show promise as drug carriers, but short in vivo circulation limits their efficacy.
- Utilizing red blood cells (RBCs) as carriers for NPs (RBCNP) is a novel strategy to prolong circulation time.
- Previous research indicated NPs can cause RBC hemolysis and aggregation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of RBCNP on red blood cell aggregation.
- To assess the effect of RBCNP on red blood cell adhesion to endothelial cells (EC).
Main Methods:
- Human RBCs were treated with polystyrene NPs (PS-NP) to form RBCNP.
- Washed RBCNP and PS-NP were added to untreated RBC suspensions at varying concentrations.
- RBC adhesion to EC was measured.
Main Results:
- Both PS-NP and RBCNP induced red blood cell aggregation.
- RBCNP significantly increased RBC adhesion to EC.
- These effects were dose-dependent and inversely related to NP size, with smaller NPs showing greater impact.
Conclusions:
- RBCNP exhibit enhanced intercellular interactions, leading to increased RBC aggregation.
- RBCNP promote stronger interactions between RBCs and EC.
- These findings highlight potential challenges for RBCNP-based drug delivery systems due to altered cell interactions.
