Plasma Corona Protects Human Immune Cells from Structurally Nanoengineered Antimicrobial Peptide Polymers

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Immunology

Background:

• Emerging antibiotic-resistant bacteria necessitate novel antimicrobial agents.
• Structurally nanoengineered antimicrobial peptide polymers (SNAPPs) show potent antibacterial activity.
• Potential interaction of SNAPPs with human cells requires investigation for safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interaction of SNAPPs with human white blood cells in whole blood.
• To determine the effect of protein corona formation on SNAPPs' interaction and cytotoxicity.
• To inform the design of safer next-generation antimicrobial nanomaterials.

Main Methods:

• Flow cytometry was used to study SNAPPs' association with six types of human white blood cells.
• Experiments were conducted in fresh whole human blood and in plasma-depleted conditions.
• Cytotoxicity assays were performed to assess SNAPPs' impact on blood cell components.

Main Results:

• In whole blood, SNAPPs associated with phagocytic cells and B cells, but not T cells or NK cells.
• Without plasma proteins, SNAPPs showed increased association with all white blood cell types.
• SNAPPs induced cytotoxicity in most blood cell components when a protein corona was absent.

Conclusions:

• Protein corona formation significantly reduces SNAPPs' association with human blood cells.
• The protein corona prevents SNAPPs-induced cytotoxicity in human blood components.
• Understanding bio-nano interactions is key to designing effective and safe antimicrobial nanomaterials.