Fate Of Nanoparticles Research Articles

Effect of Soil Texture, Nanoparticle Size, and Incubation Period on the Dissolution of ZnO Nanoparticles

Zinc is an essential plant and human nutrient and its primary source is Zn-rich food consumption. The only way to enrich plants with Zn is through the application of Zn fertilizers including various chemical and organic sources of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). The Zn bioavailability from ZnO NPs must be considered for their recommendation as a fertilizer, and very little is known about the efficacy of such fertilizers in the Hungarian soil environment. In the present investigation, we prepared ZnO NPs of different sizes and applied them in two distinct textures of soils (sandy loam (SL) and silty clay (SC)) in an incubation experiment. The prepared ZnO NPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). ZnO NPs were applied in both soil types at 500 mg L−1 in the form of a suspension, and ZnSO4 was applied in the form of a solution. The soils were incubated for 7 and 14 days. Column leaching was performed to analyze the dissolved Zn. Retained Zn in the soil matrix was extracted using 0.05 M EDTA. The results showed that approximately 21–23% and 10–13% higher Zn was observed in the pore water of SL and SC soils, respectively, when spiked with small-sized NPs compared to large-sized NPs, while 14–26% higher dissolved Zn was observed in SL soil compared to SC soil. It is concluded that the size of NPs and the soil texture are the main factors that play important roles in deciding the fate of NPs under an alkaline soil environment.

Environmental, health and safety assessment of nanoparticle application in drilling mud – Review

The rapid increase in the use of engineered nanoparticles in different industrial applications makes risk assessment on human health, ecosystem and the environment necessary. Health, safety and environmental (HSE) risks of a technology are an inseparable part of which it threatens all exposed employees. There has been an increase and public interest in nanotechnology because of its applications in several areas including, processing and engineering industries e.g., oil and gas, electronics, cosmetic, biomedical, agriculture, medicine and public health. The increased use of nanomaterials in various sectors has raised concerns about their impact on health and safety, as well as the environment. As nanomaterials become commonly and widely used in every sector, environmental and personal exposure to nanomaterials is therefore unavoidable and this has led researchers to gain interest in nanotoxicity. Based on this, this paper reviews the application of nanotechnology in drilling engineering, with a focus on drilling fluids and environmental concerns regarding their disposal after use. Meanwhile, combined with the risks of nanotechnology toxicity to both humans, the ecosystem and the environment, this paper expounds the challenges of nanotechnology in oil and gas, the cost of nanoparticle mud fluids, fate and behaviour of nanoparticles, and then puts forward future recommendations for safe disposal of ENPs in drilling fluids and other industrial applications.

Application of magnetic particle imaging to evaluate nanoparticle fate in rodent joints.

Nanoparticles are a promising approach for improving intra-articular drug delivery and tissue targeting. However, techniques to non-invasively track and quantify their concentration in vivo are limited, resulting in an inadequate understanding of their retention, clearance, and biodistribution in the joint. Currently, fluorescence imaging is often used to track nanoparticle fate in animal models; however, this approach has limitations that impede long-term quantitative assessment of nanoparticles over time. The goal of this work was to evaluate an emerging imaging modality, magnetic particle imaging (MPI), for intra-articular tracking of nanoparticles. MPI provides 3D visualization and depth-independent quantification of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION) tracers. Here, we developed and characterized a polymer-based magnetic nanoparticle system incorporated with SPION tracers and cartilage targeting properties. MPI was then used to longitudinally assess nanoparticle fate after intra-articular injection. Magnetic nanoparticles were injected into the joints of healthy mice, and evaluated for nanoparticle retention, biodistribution, and clearance over 6weeks using MPI. In parallel, the fate of fluorescently tagged nanoparticles was tracked using in vivo fluorescence imaging. The study was concluded at day 42, and MPI and fluorescence imaging demonstrated different profiles in nanoparticle retention and clearance from the joint. MPI signal was persistent over the study duration, suggesting NP retention of at least 42days, much longer than the 14days observed based on fluorescence signal. These data suggest that the type of tracer - SPIONs or fluorophores - and modality of imaging can affect interpretation of nanoparticle fate in the joint. Given that understanding particle fate over time is paramount for attaining insights about therapeutic profiles in vivo, our data suggest MPI may yield a quantitative and robust method to non-invasively track nanoparticles following intra-articular injection on an extended timeline.

Seasonal occurrence and fate of nanoparticles in two biological wastewater treatment plants in Southern California.

Nano-sized particles in wastewater are generally considered colloids, but their production and size distribution are not well understood. Organic nano-sized particles are more abundant than engineered nanomaterials in wastewater, where they may cause membrane fouling, harbor pathogens, and transport contaminants to the environment. To our knowledge, this study is the first to examine the seasonal behavior, removal, and the quantity and size of suspended particles (both unfiltered and filtered through a 450 nm filter) at multiple points within different processes along two water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs, formerly wastewater treatment plants). In Southern California where wastewater is often reused or reclaimed, a better understanding of nano-sized particles generation and removal may help reduce cost. We found that both types of the biological secondary treatments investigated (conventional activated sludge process and trickling filter) were more efficient in removing suspended particles larger than 450 nm than they were smaller ones. However, the results show that current treatment processes are not designed to remove nano-sized particles efficiently. We also investigated the factors that correlate with their occurrence and found that there was a significant and direct correlation between influent dissolved chemical oxygen demand (COD) and the abundance of suspended particles both larger and smaller than 450 nm, suggesting that the suspended particles increased with dissolved COD in the WRRFs and thus were biogenically generated during the wastewater treatment. Although no conclusive seasonal correlations were found, dissolved COD management may control nano-sized particle production. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Conventional secondary treatments (activated sludge and trickling filter) could efficiently remove particles but not as efficiently for nano-sized particles (40.1-52.7% removal). At one facility, particles of all sizes were found to correlate with dissolved carbon and EPS, meaning they were biogenic. Monitoring dissolved carbon or EPS precursors may help control membrane fouling post-secondary treatment, and this warrants more studies.

Biokinetics of subacutely co-inhaled same size gold and silver nanoparticles

BackgroundToxicokinetics of nanomaterials, including studies on the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of nanomaterials, are essential in assessing their potential health effects. The fate of nanomaterials after inhalation exposure to multiple nanomaterials is not clearly understood.MethodsMale Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to similar sizes of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs, 10.86 nm) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs, 10.82 nm) for 28 days (6-h/day, 5-days/week for four weeks) either with separate NP inhalation exposures or with combined co-exposure in a nose-only inhalation system. Mass concentrations sampled from the breathing zone were AuNP 19.34 ± 2.55 μg/m3 and AgNP 17.38 ± 1.88 μg/m3 for separate exposure and AuNP 8.20 μg/m3 and AgNP 8.99 μg/m3 for co-exposure. Lung retention and clearance were previously determined on day 1 (6-h) of exposure (E-1) and on post-exposure days 1, 7, and 28 (PEO-1, PEO-7, and PEO-28, respectively). In addition, the fate of nanoparticles, including translocation and elimination from the lung to the major organs, were determined during the post-exposure observation period.ResultsAuNP was translocated to the extrapulmonary organs, including the liver, kidney, spleen, testis, epididymis, olfactory bulb, hilar and brachial lymph nodes, and brain after subacute inhalation and showed biopersistence regardless of AuNP single exposure or AuNP + AgNP co-exposure, showing similar elimination half-time. In contrast, Ag was translocated to the tissues and rapidly eliminated from the tissues regardless of AuNP co-exposure. Ag was continually accumulated in the olfactory bulb and brain and persistent until PEO-28.ConclusionOur co-exposure study of AuNP and AgNP indicated that soluble AgNP and insoluble AuNP translocated differently, showing soluble AgNP could be dissolved into Ag ion to translocate to the extrapulmonary organs and rapidly removed from most organs except the brain and olfactory bulb. Insoluble AuNPs were continually translocated to the extrapulmonary organs, and they were not eliminated rapidly.

Physicochemical Properties and Route of Systemic Delivery Control the In Vivo Dynamics and Breakdown of Radiolabeled Gold Nanostars.

The in vivo dynamics of nanoparticles requires a mechanistic understanding of multiple factors. Here, for the first time, the surprising breakdown of functionalized gold nanostars (F-AuNSs) conjugated with antibodies and 64 Cu radiolabels in vivo and in artificial lysosomal fluid ex vivo, is shown. The short-term biodistribution of F-AuNSs is driven by the route of systemic delivery (intravenous vs intraperitoneal) and long-term fate is controlled by the tissue type in vivo. In vitro studies including endocytosis pathways, intracellular trafficking, and opsonization, are combined with in vivo studies integrating a milieu of spectroscopy and microcopy techniques that show F-AuNSs dynamics is driven by their physicochemical properties and route of delivery. F-AuNSs break down into sub-20nm broken nanoparticles as early as 7 days postinjection. Martini coarse-grained simulations are performed to support the in vivo findings. Simulations suggest that shape, size, and charge of the broken nanoparticles, and composition of the lipid membrane depicting various tissues govern the interaction of the nanoparticles with the membrane, and the rate of translocation across the membrane to ultimately enable tissue clearance. The fundamental study addresses critical gaps in the knowledge regarding the fate of nanoparticles in vivo that remain a bottleneck in their clinical translation.

Gold nanoparticles retrogradely penetrate through testicular barriers via Sertoli-cells mediated endocytosis/exocytosis and induce immune response in mouse

Despite the rapidly growing interest in nanoparticle-mediated controllable male contraception and recovery of male fertility, novel applications of nanoparticles in these processes are limited by a knowledge gap regarding their transport and distribution in the testes. Here, we investigated the fate of gold nanoparticles in the mouse testes using two injection methods, namely, interstitial testicular injection (IT-AuNPs, AuNPs exposure in the interstitial compartment of the testes) and rete testis injection (RT-AuNPs, AuNPs exposure in the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous tubules). In this study, we used 100 nm spherical AuNPs and microinjected with 5 μL AuNPs (30 mg/mL) for the experiments. For IT-AuNP injection, we found that AuNPs could not penetrate through the Sertoli cell-mediated blood–testis barrier (BTB) of the seminiferous tubules, and no male reproductive toxicity was observed. For RT-AuNP injection, AuNPs could be retrogradely transported from the adluminal compartment to the interstitial compartment of the testes via Sertoli cell-mediated endocytosis/exocytosis, resulting in damage and the release of inflammatory cytokines in the mouse testis. Our results highlight a retrograde nanoparticle transport function of Sertoli cells, thereby providing a mechanistic overview of the development and use of nanobiotechnology in male reproduction. SynopsisThis study provides new insights into male reproductive immunotoxicity for AuNPs exposure and elucidates a mechanism via Sertoli cell-mediated endocytosis/exocytosis.

Invisible? Assessing the Fate of Sunscreen-Derived Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in Swimming Pool Water Using Single Particle and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Invisible? Assessing the Fate of Sunscreen-Derived Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in Swimming Pool Water Using Single Particle and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Fate of Gold Nanoparticles in Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry: Toward the Imaging of Individual Nanoparticles

This study focuses on mapping the spatial distribution of Au nanoparticles (NPs) by laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (LDI MSI). Laser interaction with NPs and associated phenomena, such as change of shape, melting, migration, and release of Au ions, are explored at the single particle level. Arrays of dried droplets containing low numbers of spatially segregated NPs were reproducibly prepared by automated drop-on-demand piezo-dispensing and analyzed by LDI MSI using an ultrahigh resolution orbital trapping instrument. To enhance the signal from NPs, an in source gas-phase chemical reaction of generated Au ions with xylene was employed. The developed technique allowed the detecting, chemical characterization, and mapping of the spatial distribution of Au NPs; the ion signals were detected from as low as ten 50 nm Au NPs on a pixel. Furthermore, the Au NP melting dynamics under laser irradiation was monitored by correlative atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). AFM measurements of Au NPs before and after LDI MSI analysis revealed changes in NP shape from a sphere to a half-ellipsoid and total volume reduction of NPs down to 45% of their initial volume.

Co-exposure of maize to polyethylene microplastics and ZnO nanoparticles: Impact on growth, fate, and interaction

Microplastics (MPs), especially polyethylene MPs (PE MPs), which are the primary component of mulch, have attracted increasing attention in recent years. ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), which constitute a metal-based nanomaterial commonly used in agricultural production, co-converge with PE MPs in the soil. However, studies revealing the behavior and fate of ZnO NPs in soil–plant systems in the presence of MPs are limited. In this study, a pot experiment was used to evaluate the effects of maize co-exposure to PE MPs (0.5 % and 5 % w/w) and ZnO NPs (500 mg/kg) on growth, element distribution, speciation, and adsorption mechanism. The results demonstrate that individual exposure to PE MPs posed no significant toxicity; however, it significantly decreased maize grain yield (essentially 0). ZnO NP-exposure treatments significantly increased the Zn concentration and distribution intensity in maize tissues. Among them, the Zn concentration in the maize root exceeded 200 mg/kg, compared with 40 mg/kg in the grain. Moreover, the Zn concentrations in various tissues decreased in the following order: stem, leaf, cob, bract, and grain. Reassuringly, ZnO NPs still could not be transported to the maize stem under co-exposure to PE MPs. ZnO NPs had been biotransformed (64 % of the Zn was associated with histidine, with the remainder being associated with P [phytate] and cysteine) in maize stem. This study provides new insights into the plant physiological risks of PE MP and ZnO NP co-exposure in the soil–plant system and assesses the fate of ZnO NPs.

Assessing the Fate of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Carrying Usnic Acid as Chemical Cargo on the Soil Microbial Community.

In the present study we evaluate the effect of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) carrying usnic acid (UA) as chemical cargo on the soil microbial community in a dystrophic red latosol (oxysol). Herein, 500 ppm UA or SPIONs-framework carrying UA were diluted in sterile ultrapure deionized water and applied by hand sprayer on the top of the soil. The experiment was conducted in a growth chamber at 25 °C, with a relative humidity of 80% and a 16 h/8 h light-dark cycle (600 lx light intensity) for 30 days. Sterile ultrapure deionized water was used as the negative control; uncapped and oleic acid (OA) capped SPIONs were also tested to assess their potential effects. Magnetic nanostructures were synthesized by a coprecipitation method and characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential, hydrodynamic diameter, magnetic measurements, and release kinetics of chemical cargo. Uncapped and OA-capped SPIONs did not significantly affect soil microbial community. Our results showed an impairment in the soil microbial community exposed to free UA, leading to a general decrease in negative effects on soil-based parameters when bioactive was loaded into the nanoscale magnetic carrier. Besides, compared to control, the free UA caused a significant decrease in microbial biomass C (39%), on the activity of acid protease (59%), and acid phosphatase (23%) enzymes, respectively. Free UA also reduced eukaryotic 18S rRNA gene abundance, suggesting a major impact on fungi. Our findings indicate that SPIONs as bioherbicide nanocarriers can reduce the negative impacts on soil. Therefore, nanoenabled biocides may improve agricultural productivity, which is important for food security due to the need of increasing food production.

Transfer of CeO2 nanoparticles between freshwater omnivorous organisms: Effect of feces and necrophagy

Transfer of CeO2 engineered nanoparticles (NPs) through feces was investigated between two omnivorous organisms, red crucian carp (Carassius auratus red var.) and crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Upon water exposure (5 mg/L, 7 days), the highest bioaccumulation was observed in carp gills (5.95 μg Ce/g D.W.) and crayfish hepatopancreas (648 μg Ce/g D.W.), with the bioconcentration factors (BCFs) at 0.45 and 3.61, respectively. In addition, 97.4% and 73.0% of ingested Ce were excreted by carp and crayfish, respectively. The feces of carp and crayfish were collected and fed to crayfish and carp, respectively. After feces exposure, bioconcentration was observed in both carp (BCF, 3.00) and crayfish (BCF, 4.56). After feeding crayfish with carp bodies (1.85 μg Ce/g D.W.), CeO2 NPs were not biomagnified (biomagnification factor, 0.28). Upon water exposure, CeO2 NPs were transformed into Ce(III) in the feces of both carp (24.6%) and crayfish (13.6%), and the transformation was stronger after subsequent feces exposure (100% and 73.7%, respectively). Feces exposure lowered histopathological damage, oxidative stress, and nutritional quality (e.g., crude proteins, microelements, amino acids) to carp and crayfish in comparison with water exposure. This research highlights the importance of feces exposure on the transfer and fate of NPs in aquatic ecosystems.

Review on aquatic toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles

Metal oxide nanoparticles are some of the most widely used nanomaterials in the agriculture, consumer products, and energy sectors. Their increased requirements and wide applications can necessarily cause harm to ecosystems and organisms. So, it is vital to understand the main toxicity before they caused harmful effects on the human health. The unique characteristics of nanoengineered materials include carbon fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, metal oxide nanoparticles and quantum dots, among many others have led to the capacity for various toxicities in comparison to the materials in bulk. This review mainly metal oxide nanoparticle can exert adverse effects on humans and aquatic organisms; however, their toxic mechanisms are still unclear. With the well-known consequences of inhaled fine particulate matter, inhalational toxicity is to be expected. Nanotoxicology exhibits a booming research area and aims in finding out their societal or an environmental threat. Ecological factors along with the innatequalities affect nanoparticles (NPs) fate, behavioural and transport, and eventually leading to toxicity. This review examines the research performed in the last two decade to show how metal and metal oxide nanoparticles are influencing the aquatic environment. We addressed here, the physico-chemical characteristics of nanomaterials (NMs), characterization, exposure routes in the aquatic ecosystem. This review summarizes the current understanding and the future possibilities of challenges and advances in nanotoxicology research.

In vitro-in vivo correlation in nanocarriers: From protein corona to therapeutic implications

Understanding and establishing a link between the physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles (NPs) and their biological interactions poses to be a great challenge in the field of nanotherapeutics. Recent analytical advancements concerning bio-nanointerfaces have accelerated the quest to comprehend the fate of nanocarrier systems in vivo. Scientists have discovered that protein corona, an adsorbed layer of biomolecules on the surface of NPs takes a leading part in interacting with cells and in the cellular uptake process, thereby determining the in vivo behaviour of NPs. Another useful method to assess the in vivo fate of NPs is by performing dissolution testing. This forms the basis for in vitro in vivo correlation (IVIVC), relating in vitro dissolution of NPs and their in vivo properties. Scientists are continuously directing their efforts towards establishing IVIVC for different nanocarrier systems while concurrently gaining insights into protein corona. This review primarily summarizes the importance of protein corona and its interaction with nanoparticles. It also gives an insight into the factors affecting the interaction and various in vitro dissolution media used for varied nanocarrier systems. The article concludes with a discussion of the limitations of IVIVC modelling and its position from a regulatory perspective.

Current Progress and Open Challenges for Combined Toxic Effects of Manufactured Nano-Sized Objects (MNO’s) on Soil Biota and Microbial Community

Soil is a porous matrix containing organic matter and minerals as well as living organisms that vary physically, geographically, and temporally. Plants choose a particular microbiome from a pool of soil microorganisms which helps them grow and stay healthy. Many ecosystem functions in agrosystems are provided by soil microbes just like the ecosystem of soil, the completion of cyclic activity of vital nutrients like C, N, S, and P is carried out by soil microorganisms. Soil microorganisms affect carbon nanotubes (CNTs), nanoparticles (NPs), and a nanopesticide; these are called manufactured nano-objects (MNOs), that are added to the environment intentionally or reach the soil in the form of contaminants of nanomaterials. It is critical to assess the influence of MNOs on important plant-microbe symbiosis including mycorrhiza, which are critical for the health, function, and sustainability of both natural and agricultural ecosystems. Toxic compounds are released into rural and urban ecosystems as a result of anthropogenic contamination from industrial processes, agricultural practices, and consumer products. Once discharged, these pollutants travel through the atmosphere and water, settling in matrices like sediments and groundwater, potentially rendering broad areas uninhabitable. With the rapid growth of nanotechnology, the application of manufactured nano-objects in the form of nano-agrochemicals has expanded for their greater potential or their appearance in products of users, raising worries about possible eco-toxicological impacts. MNOs are added throughout the life cycle and are accumulated not only in the soils but also in other components of the environment causing mostly negative impacts on soil biota and processes. MNOs interfere with soil physicochemical qualities as well as microbial metabolic activity in rhizospheric soils. This review examines the harmful effect of MNOs on soil, as well as the pathways used by microbes to deal with MNOs and the fate and behavior of NPs inside the soils.

Protein nanoparticle cellular fate and responses in murine macrophages

Nanoparticles (NPs), both organic and inorganic, have been identified as tools for diagnostic and therapeutic (theranostic) applications. Macrophages constitute the first line of defense in the human body following the introduction of foreign antigens, including nanoparticles. However, there is a limited understanding of the cellular fate and trafficking of organic NPs in macrophages as well as the molecular responses that are triggered. This knowledge is crucial for the effective translation of these engineered molecules for theranostic applications. In this work, we performed an in-depth study on the intracellular fate and relevant immune responses of a model organic NP, Archaeoglobus fulgidus ferritin, in murine macrophage (RAW264.7) cells. Ferritin, a naturally occurring iron storage protein, has been reported to target tumors and atherosclerotic lesion sites. Herein, we demonstrate a concentration-dependent internalization mechanism and quantify the subcellular localization of ferritin NPs in various organelles. After NP exposure, export of the iron present in the ferritin core occurred over an extended period of time along with upregulation of iron-related gene mRNA expression. A study on the modulation of the intracellular localization of the NPs was conducted by incorporating peptides to mediate endosomal escape and examining their molecular effects using transcriptional analysis. To further investigate the physiological effects, we monitored the upregulation of immune-related markers (i.e., CCR2, IL1β, TNFα, VCAM-1) along with ROS generation in cells treated with ferritin under various conditions. The in-depth analyses of cellular uptake and responses to versatile protein NPs, such as ferritin, provide basic principles to design and engineer other protein NPs with similar properties for future biomedical applications.

Cellular uptake and retention studies of silica nanoparticles utilizing senescent fibroblasts

Understanding the interplay between nanoparticles (NPs) and cells is essential to designing more efficient nanomedicines. Previous research has shown the role of the cell cycle having impact on the efficiency of cellular uptake and accumulation of NPs. However, there is a limited investigation into the biological fate of NPs in cells that are permanently withdrawn from the cell cycle. Here we utilize senescent WI-38 fibroblasts, which do not divide and provide a definitive model for tracking the biological fate of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) independent of cell cycle. We use several methods to measure the cellular uptake kinetics and intracellular retention of SiNPs, including confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We demonstrate that SiNPs readily enter into senescent cells. Once internalized, SiNPs do not exit and accumulate in the cytoplasm for long term. Our study provides a basis for future development of NP-based tools that can detect and target senescent cells for therapy.

Dissolution and fate of silver nanoparticles in the presence of natural aquatic organic matter

Despite increasing interest in and use of nanoparticles (NP), the environmental consequences of using NP are poorly understood because most relevant studies have not taken the effects of natural coatings on NP into consideration. The aim of this study was to improve our understanding of the fates of NP in aquatic systems. The fates of silver NP (AgNP) capped with citrate and polyethylene glycol dispersed in ecotoxicological matrices in the presence of environmentally relevant components of natural water (humic substances and extracellular polymeric substances) were investigated. Interactions between AgNP and natural organic matter were evaluated by ultracentrifugation and electrophoretic mobility measurements to assess AgNP dissolution. Humic substances and extracellular polymeric substances both decreased the dissolution rate. The natural organic matter (humic substances and extracellular polymeric substances) provided conditions in which the medium stabilized the NP. The dissolution rate depended on the coating type (citrate or polyethylene glycol), dissolved organic carbon concentration, and particle concentration. The presence of algae and Daphnia affected AgNP conversion, demonstrating the value of research that takes environmentally relevant matrices into consideration. The results improve our understanding of the factors that affect the bioavailabilities of AgNP and therefore improve our ability to evaluate AgNP toxicity. Studies of other NP using the same strategy will improve our understanding of the fates of nanomaterials in the environment and biota.

Stereoselective coronas regulate the fate of chiral gold nanoparticles in vivo.

It is unknown how the identity provided by protein coronas on the surface of chiral nanoparticles determines their blood circulation, distribution, and clearance fates of the nanoparticles in vivo. Here, we attempt to investigate how the mirrored surface of gold nanoparticles with distinct chirality reshapes the coronal composition that mediates their subsequent clearance from blood and biodistribution. We found that chiral gold nanoparticles exhibited surface chirality-specific recognition for the coronal components, including the lipoproteins, complement components, and acute phase proteins, ultimately resulting in distinct cell uptake and tissue accumulation in vivo. We observed that these stereoselective behaviors were correlated to subgroups of the corona composition that could bind to low-density lipoprotein receptors. Therefore, this study reveals how chirality-specific protein compositions selectively recognize and interact with cell receptors for chirality-mediated tissue accumulation. This study will deepen our understanding of how chiral nanoparticles/nanomedicine/nanocarriers interact with biological systems to guide the efficient fabrication of target nanomedicines.

Competition of opsonins and dysopsonins on the nanoparticle surface.

The biological behavior and fate of nanoparticles are dependent on their retention time in the blood circulation system. The protein corona components, especially opsonins, and dysopsonins, adsorbed on the nanoparticle surface determine their blood circulation time. The protein corona formation is a dynamic process that involves the competition between different proteins to be adsorbed on the nanoparticles. Therefore, studying how proteins compete and are oriented on the nanoparticle surface is essential. We hypothesized that the presence of opsonins (immunoglobulin (IgG)) might affect the adsorption of dysopsonins (human serum albumin (HSA)) and vice versa. Using the molecular dynamics simulations, we showed that the adsorption of HSA on the GO surface after the IgG adsorption is more probable than the opposite order of adsorption. It was also observed that the higher lateral diffusion of the HSA compared to the IgG helped the system reach a more stable configuration while the initial adsorption of the HSA limits the lateral diffusion of IgG. Therefore, replacing IgG adsorbed on the GO surface with HSA is plausible while the reverse process is less likely to occur. This study revealed that albumin might extend the blood circulation time of GO by replacing opsonins (IgG).