Nanomaterials at the Biological Interphase: Protein Corona Formation and Infusion Reactions

The interactions between nanoparticles and macromolecules forming protein corona (PC) introduce new applications and challenges to the nanoparticles (NPs), altering the efficacy and biocompatibility of nanotechnology-based formulations. Accordingly, the overall properties and identity of the biomolecules change at this nano-bio interface. Although the nano-bio interface poses hurdles for the effective clinical translation of nanomedicines, it also creates a future window for advancements in nanomedicine. Therefore, this chapter will cover a comprehensive outlook of the advantages and disadvantages of the nano-bio interface with respect to the translational nanomedicine. The implications of nano-bio interface on toxicity, immune recognition, targeting, biodistribution, intracellular uptake, and drug release will also be reviewed. An overview of some of the currently performed research on NP-based clinical translation is also addressed. However, in spite of huge efforts of researchers and other agencies, only few of the nanomedicines made go through the clinical trials. To fill the gap between efforts of the researchers and the clinical translation of nanomedicine, it is need of the hour to collect data from in vivo and in vitro experiments for debugging the nano-bio interfaces. A brief overview of infusion reactions (IRs) outlining different terminologies used to define these reactions and highlighting the gaps in present research nanomedicine-based infusion reactions has also been discussed. Finally, we have presented the strategies to improve the current understanding of these IRs and also to overcome these adverse reactions.