Uptake: Factors Ruling the Uptake of Silica Nanoparticles by Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Agglomeration Versus Dispersions, Absence Versus Presence of Serum Proteins (Small 24/2015)

The effect of the presence or absence of serum proteins in the culture medium on the uptake of silica nanoparticles by human mesenchymal stem cells are discussed by G. Martra and co-workers on page 2919. In serum-free conditions, micrometric agglomerates of silica nanoparticles are formed, which are quickly taken up by cells. Conversely, in the presence of serum proteins, nanoparticle agglomerates become smaller (hundreds of nanometers) and are covered by a protein corona. Nevertheless, their uptake by cells is significantly delayed.