Human serum lipoproteins influence protein deposition patterns on nanoparticle surfaces.

We report the concentration-dependent adsorption of serum lipoproteins onto silica nanoparticles, wherein elevated lipid levels deter complement activation. Two clinically relevant serum lipid levels - corresponding to low and borderline high levels in normal, healthy adults - were used to examine the influence of lipoprotein concentration on nanoparticle complement activation. Human serum albumin was used to study protein adsorption in the presence of lipoproteins. Preferential adsorption of high affinity lipoproteins led to greater lipid fractions in the protein corona, shielding particles from complement activation. These findings have significant implications for the design of intravenously administered carriers with biocompatible surface chemistries.