<i>In Situ</i> Measurement of Nanoparticle-Blood Protein Adsorption and Its Heterogeneity with Single-Nanoparticle Resolution via Dual Fluorescence Quantification.

Abstract

The formation of a protein corona gives nanomedicines a distinct biological identity, profoundly influencing their fate in the body. Nonspecific nanoparticle-protein interactions are typically highly heterogeneous, which can lead to unique biological behaviors and <i>in vivo</i> fates for individual nanoparticles that remain underexplored. To address this, we have established an <i>in situ</i> approach that allows quantitative examination of nanoparticle-protein adsorption at the individual nanoparticle level. This method integrates dual fluorescence quantification techniques, wherein the nanoparticles are first individually analyzed via nanoflow cytometry to detect fluorescent signals from adsorbed proteins. The obtained fluorescence intensity is then translated into protein quantities through calibration with microplate reader quantification. Consequently, this approach enables analysis of interparticle heterogeneity of nano-protein interactions, as well as <i>in situ</i> monitoring of protein adsorption kinetics and nanoparticle aggregation status in blood serum, preconditioning for a comprehensive understanding of nano-bio interactions, and predicting <i>in vivo</i> fate of nanomedicines.