Pore structure and particle shape modulates the protein corona of mesoporous silica particles

Abstract

The protein corona of mesoporous silica particles is significantly affected by their morphology, pore structure and size. High aspect ratio particles with large 12 nm pores have a high proportion of low molecular weight proteins in comparison to spherical particles with 5 nm pores, which show a homogenous protein coating which is generally constant in protein composition after long incubation times in serum. The pre-formation of a protein corona prior to incubation with microglia cells enhances the cellular uptake of spherical particles but not facetted or high aspect ratio particles.