title: Adsorption of cellular proteins to polyelectrolyte-functionalized gold nanorods: a mechanism for nanoparticle regulation of cell phenotype?
abstract: Cell behavior in the presence of nanomaterials is typically explored through simple viability assays, but there is mounting evidence that nanomaterials can have more subtle effects on a variety of cellular functions. Previously our lab demonstrated that gold nanorods functionalized with polyelectrolyte multi-layers inhibited rat cardiac fibroblast-mediated remodeling of type I collagen scaffolds by altering fibroblast phenotype and the mechanical properties of the collagen network. In this work, we examine a possible mechanism for these effects: adsorption of cellular proteins by the nanorods. Mass spectrometric and gel electrophoresis of media collected from cultured cells suggests that a number of proteins, some of which mediate cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, adsorb onto the surface of these nanoparticles in vitro. Polyethylene glycol coating of the nanorods largely mitigates protein adsorption and fibroblast-mediated collagen remodeling. These results suggest that adsorption of proteins by nanorods could have a significant effect on cell functions, including fibroblast-mediated matrix remodeling.
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America.
authors: Patrick N
authors: PN
authors: Sisco
authors: Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America.
authors: Christopher G
authors: CG
authors: Wilson
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America.
authors: Davin
authors: D
authors: Chernak
authors: Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America.
authors: Jessica C
authors: JC
authors: Clark
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America.
authors: Elissa M
authors: EM
authors: Grzincic
authors: Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America.
authors: Kayla
authors: K
authors: Ako-Asare
authors: Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America.
authors: Edie C
authors: EC
authors: Goldsmith
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America.
authors: Catherine J
authors: CJ
authors: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000494:pharmacology; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry*; D010641:Phenotype; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D011506:Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011506:Proteins; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C041004:poly-N,N-dimethyl-N,N-diallylammonium chloride; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D006046:Gold