Journal Article

Genome-wide forward genetic screening to identify receptors and proteins mediating nanoparticle uptake and intracellular processing

Guryev, Victor, Montizaan, Daphne, Spierings, Diana C. J., Bartucci, Roberta, de Weerd, Sander, Reker-Smit, Catharina, Åberg, Christoffer, Salvati, Anna

2024

Overview

Understanding how cells process nanoparticles is crucial to optimize nanomedicine efficacy. However, characterizing cellular pathways is challenging, especially if non-canonical mechanisms are involved. In this Article a genome-wide forward genetic screening based on insertional mutagenesis is applied to discover receptors and proteins involved in the intracellular accumulation (uptake and intracellular processing) of silica nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are covered by a human serum corona known to target the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). By sorting cells with reduced nanoparticle accumulation and deep sequencing after each sorting, 80 enriched genes are identified. We find that, as well as LDLR, the scavenger receptor SCARB1 also mediates nanoparticle accumulation. Additionally, heparan sulfate acts as a specific nanoparticle receptor, and its role varies depending on cell and nanoparticle type. Furthermore, some of the identified targets affect nanoparticle trafficking to the lysosomes. These results show the potential of genetic screening to characterize nanoparticle pathways. Additionally, they indicate that corona-coated nanoparticles are internalized via multiple receptors. Understanding how cells process nanoparticles is crucial to improve nanomedicine efficacy. Here a genome-wide screening is used to discover proteins that are involved in silica nanoparticle accumulation by cells and shows that different apolipoprotein receptors and proteoglycans mediate their internalization.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group
• Subject: 639/925/350/354 / 639/925/352/152 / Accumulation / Apolipoproteins / Bioaccumulation / Chemistry and Materials Science / Effectiveness / Gene sequencing / Genetic screening / Genetic Testing - methods / Genomes / Heparan sulfate / Heparitin Sulfate - metabolism / Humans / Insertional mutagenesis / Internalization / Intracellular / Low density lipoprotein receptors / Lysosomes / Lysosomes - metabolism / Materials Science / Mutagenesis, Insertional / Nanoparticles / Nanoparticles - chemistry / Nanotechnology / Nanotechnology and Microengineering / Protein Corona - chemistry / Protein Corona - metabolism / Protein transport / Proteins / Proteoglycans / Receptor density / Receptors / Receptors, LDL - genetics / Receptors, LDL - metabolism / Scavenger receptors / Scavenger Receptors, Class B - genetics / Scavenger Receptors, Class B - metabolism / Silica / Silicon dioxide / Silicon Dioxide - chemistry / Silicon Dioxide - metabolism