Body Mass Index-Specific Nanoparticle Protein Corona Signatures in Late Pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Nanotechnology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Proteomics

Background:

• The nanoparticle protein corona (PC) is a dynamic bio-interface reflecting host physiological status.
• Maternal metabolic health, particularly body mass index (BMI), can influence pregnancy outcomes.
• Understanding nano-bio interactions is crucial for nanomedicine applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of maternal BMI on the protein corona composition of nanoparticles during late pregnancy.
• To identify specific protein signatures associated with different maternal BMI categories.

Main Methods:

• Incubation of polystyrene nanoparticles with plasma from pregnant individuals across normal, overweight, and obese BMI categories.
• Characterization using dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
• Proteomic analysis via SDS-PAGE and label-free quantitative proteomics, followed by principal component analysis (PCA).

Main Results:

• BMI-dependent differences in PC thickness and colloidal stability were observed.
• Obese-derived PCs were enriched in inflammatory and lipid metabolism proteins (e.g., APOE, CRP).
• Normal weight-derived PCs showed higher levels of complement regulators and extracellular matrix proteins, with distinct proteomic profiles by BMI group.

Conclusions:

• Maternal metabolic phenotype significantly shapes nanoparticle protein corona composition at the proteomic level.
• Protein corona profiling offers a potential non-invasive method for assessing maternal health and metabolic status.
• This research supports the integration of nanoparticle-based proteomics into precision nanomedicine for maternal-fetal health monitoring.