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Endocytosis behaviours of nanoparticles with helically decorated ligands
Author(s) -
Guan Zhou,
Wang Liquan,
Lin Jiaping,
Xue Jiaxiao
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.5896
Subject(s) - endocytosis , nanoparticle , materials science , nanotechnology , spinning , precession , receptor mediated endocytosis , biophysics , chemistry , receptor , physics , biology , composite material , biochemistry , astronomy
In this work, the receptor‐mediated endocytosis of nanoparticles with helically decorated ligands was investigated by performing coarse‐grained molecular dynamics simulations. The results showed that a helical distribution of ligands can generate a unique spinning stage during endocytosis in which the nanoparticle is internalized with precession. This precession behaviour is primarily caused by a lateral torque acting on the nanoparticle. Compared with nanoparticles that present uniformly distributed ligands, nanoparticles with helically decorated ligands present an enhanced endocytosis capacity. Additionally, a longer spin duration and larger precessional angle were obtained by decreasing the helical period of the ligands. Increasing the aspect ratio of the nanoparticles strengthens their capacity to take the spinning endocytosis pathway. The present study not only reveals the mechanism underlying a new endocytosis pathway of nanoparticles with helically structured surfaces but also provides valuable theoretical information for the design of novel drug delivery systems that primarily occur via cellular uptake. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry