Stabilin-1 is required for the endothelial clearance of small anionic nanoparticles

Clearance of nanoparticles (NPs) after intravenous injection - mainly by the liver - is a critical barrier for the clinical translation of nanomaterials. Physicochemical properties of NPs are known to influence their distribution through cell-specific interactions; however, the molecular mechanisms responsible for liver cellular NP uptake are poorly understood. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and Kupffer cells are critical participants in this clearance process. Here we use a zebrafish model for liver-NP interaction to identify the endothelial scavenger receptor Stabilin-1 as a non-redundant receptor for the clearance of small anionic NPs. Furthermore, we show that physiologically, Stabilin-1 is required for the removal of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS/endotoxin) from circulation and that Stabilin-1 cooperates with its homolog Stabilin-2 in the clearance of larger (~100 nm) anionic NPs. Our findings allow optimization of anionic nanomedicine biodistribution and targeting therapies that use Stabilin-1 and -2 for liver endothelium-specific delivery.