Sulfidation Affects Macrophage Uptake of Metal-Based Nanomaterials by Dictating Protein Corona Compositions and Aggregation States Collectively.

ABSTRACT: Metal-based nanomaterials are one of the most widely used classes of nanomaterials. Understanding their human exposure is critical for the risk management of these nanomaterials. Once released into the environment, metal nanomaterials are prone to undergo sulfidation. This process significantly alters the physicochemical properties of the nanomaterials and subsequently, dictates the extents and pathways of exposure. Here, we show that sulfidation of nanosized Ag, ZnO, CuO, and Cu₂O affects their macrophage uptake to varied degrees, by differentially regulating protein corona compositions and aggregation states of the nanomaterials. Sulfidation-induced changes in hydrodynamic diameters determine whether macrophage uptake occurs through endocytosis or phagocytosis. For a given upt

SUBMITTER: Du T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12723541 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature