Exploiting the protein corona: coating of black phosphorus nanosheets enables macrophage polarization via calcium influx

Nanoscale. 2020 Jan 23;12(3):1742-1748. doi: 10.1039/c9nr08570j.

Abstract

Black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNSs) have substantially promoted biomedical nanotechnology due to their unique photothermal and chemotherapeutic properties. However, there is still a limited molecular understanding of the effects of bio-nano interfaces on BPNSs and the subsequent impacts on physiological systems. Here, it is shown that black phosphorus-corona complexes (BPCCs) could function as immune modulators to promote the polarization of macrophages. Mechanistically, BPCCs could interact with calmodulin to activate stromal interaction molecule 2 and facilitate Ca2+ influx in macrophages, which induced the activation of p38 and NF-κB and polarized M0 macrophages to the M1 phenotype. As a result, BPCC-activated macrophages show greater migration towards cancer cells, 1.3-1.9 times higher cellular cytotoxicity and effective phagocytosis of cancer cells. These findings offer insights into the development of potential and unique applications of corona on BPNSs in nanomedicine.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium Signaling*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System*
  • Macrophage Activation*
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Phosphorus / chemistry
  • Protein Corona / chemistry*
  • RAW 264.7 Cells

Substances

  • Protein Corona
  • Phosphorus