Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026
08:05
Visualizing Membrane Ruffle Formation using Scanning Electron Microscopy
Published on: May 27, 2021
Biointerface Structure Effects Govern the Macropinocytosis Process for Nanoclay to Enter Cells.
Ya Tan1,2,3, Hao Wang2,3, Huaming Yang1,2,3
1Hunan Key Laboratory of Mineral Materials and Application, School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|June 12, 2026
Summary
Cellular uptake of nanoclay primarily uses macropinocytosis, regulated by biointerface structural effects like hydrogen bonds. Material size and cell membrane composition also influence this dynamic process.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Nanotoxicology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Macropinocytosis is the main route for cellular entry of nanomaterials.
- The underlying physical chemistry and dynamic processes are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms regulating nanoclay (kaolinite) uptake via macropinocytosis.
- To elucidate the role of biointerface structural effects and hydrogen bonding.
Main Methods:
- Centrifugal fractionation to obtain kaolinite samples of varying sizes.
- Cellular experiments comparing different kaolinite sizes and cell types.
- Molecular dynamics simulations to analyze interface interactions.
Main Results:
- Biointerface structural effects, particularly hydrogen bond network formation, significantly influence kaolinite uptake.
- Macropinocytosis regulation is dependent on both kaolinite size and cell membrane composition.
- Confirmed the pivotal role of the dynamic hydrogen-bond network at the nanoclay/cell membrane interface.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogen bonds at the nanoclay/cell membrane interface are dominant in regulating macropinocytosis.
- Provides a physical chemistry perspective on the regulation of nanomaterial cellular uptake.
- Highlights the interplay between material properties and cellular factors in nanoparticle internalization.
Related Concept Videos
00:38Pinocytosis
Cells use energy-requiring bulk transport mechanisms to transfer large particles or large numbers of small particles into or out of the cell. The cells envelop the particles in spherical membranes called vesicles or vacuoles. Vesicles that transport material into the cell are built from the cell membrane. These vesicles encapsulate external molecules and transport them into the cell in a process called endocytosis.
Pinocytosis ("cellular drinking") is one of three main types of endocytosis. In...
Pinocytosis ("cellular drinking") is one of three main types of endocytosis. In...
00:43Pinocytosis
Cells use energy-requiring bulk transport mechanisms to transfer large particles, or large amounts of small particles, into or out of the cell. The cells envelop the particles in spherical membranes called vesicles or vacuoles. Vesicles that transport material into the cell are built from the cell membrane. These vesicles encapsulate external molecules and transport them into the cell in a process called endocytosis.
01:38Receptor-mediated Endocytosis
Overview
01:20Receptor-mediated Endocytosis
Receptor-mediated endocytosis is when bulk amounts of specific molecules are imported into a cell after binding to cell surface receptors. The molecules bound to these receptors are taken into the cell through inward folding of the cell surface membrane, which is eventually pinched off into a vesicle within the cell. Structural proteins, such as clathrin, coat the budding vesicle.
Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis of LDL
One well-characterized example of receptor-mediated endocytosis is the...
Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis of LDL
One well-characterized example of receptor-mediated endocytosis is the...
01:23Mechanisms of Drug Absorption: Paracellular, Transcellular, and Vesicular Transport
Drugs need to permeate cell membranes to reach their target sites after administration. Orally administered drugs must transcend intestinal epithelial membrane barriers to infiltrate the systemic circulation. Drugs with a molecular weight of less than 500 Daltons diffuse through gaps between neighboring cells, called paracellular pathways.
However, most drugs use the transcellular route, traversing directly through the cell membranes via two mechanisms: passive and active transport. Passive...
However, most drugs use the transcellular route, traversing directly through the cell membranes via two mechanisms: passive and active transport. Passive...
01:17Pore Transport and Ion-Pair Transport
Pore transport and ion-pair formation are critical mechanisms for the absorption and distribution of drugs in the body.
Pore transport, also known as convective transport, is a process where small molecules like urea, water, and sugars rapidly cross cell membranes as though there were channels or pores in the membrane. Although direct microscopic evidence is limited but the concept of pores or channels is widely accepted based on physiological evidence. Despite the lack of direct microscopic...
Pore transport, also known as convective transport, is a process where small molecules like urea, water, and sugars rapidly cross cell membranes as though there were channels or pores in the membrane. Although direct microscopic evidence is limited but the concept of pores or channels is widely accepted based on physiological evidence. Despite the lack of direct microscopic...