Fluorine-modified polymers reduce the adsorption of immune-reactive proteins to PEGylated gold nanoparticles.

Aim: To investigate the influence of fluorine in reducing the adsorption of immune-reactive proteins onto PEGylated gold nanoparticles.

Methods

Reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, the Turkevich method and ligand exchange were used to prepare polymer-coated gold nanoparticles. Subsequent in vitro physicochemical and biological characterizations and proteomic analysis were performed.

Results

Fluorine-modified polymers reduced the adsorption of complement and other immune-reactive proteins while potentially improving circulatory times and modulating liver toxicity by reducing apolipoprotein E adsorption. Fluorine actively discouraged phagocytosis while encouraging the adsorption of therapeutic targets, CD209 and signaling molecule calreticulin.

Conclusion

This study suggests that the addition of fluorine in the surface coating of nanoparticles could lead to improved performance in nanomedicine designed for the intravenous delivery of cargos.