The BH2N team on the back cover of the scientific review “SMALL”

The « Anti‐Platelet Effect Induced by Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Correlation with Conformational Change in Fibrinogen » of the BH2N team ((Bio-)Hybrid Nanoparticles & Nanostructures) from the Nanosciences department has been selected for the back cover of Volume 17, Number 1 – January 7, 2021 of the scientific journal SMALL.

Iron oxide nanoparticles are developed for various biomedical applications, however, there is limited understanding regarding their effects and toxicity on blood components. The particles traveling in circulation inevitably interact with blood cells and plasma proteins and may interfere with hemostasis. Specifically, this study focuses on the influence of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) coated with a biocompatible polymer, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), on platelet function. Here, engineered SPIONs that are functionalized with various PVA coatings to provide these particles with different surface charges and polymer packing are described. These formulations are assessed for any interference with human platelet functions and coagulation, ex vivo. Positively charged SPIONs induce a significant change in platelet GPIIb‐IIIa conformation, indicative of platelet activation at the dose of 500 µg mL⁻¹. Remarkably, engineered PVA(polyvinyl alcohol)‐SPIONs all display a robust dose‐dependent anti‐platelet effect on platelet aggregation, regardless of the PVA charge and molecular weight. After assessing hypotheses involving SPION‐induced steric hindrance in platelet–platelet bridging, as well as protein corona involvement in the antiplatelet effect, the study concludes that the presence of PVA‐SPIONs induces fibrinogen conformational change, which correlates with the observed dose‐dependent anti‐platelet effect.

• For more informations: Regina Komal Kottana, Lionel Maurizi, Brian Schnoor, Kenise Morris, Jessica Ann Webb, Michael Anthony Massiah, Nadine Millot, and Anne-Laure Papa, 

https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202004945

• Back cover : 

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/smll.202170003

Contacts 

• Lionel Maurizi, CNRS Researcher – Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Carnot de Bourgogne (ICB) / lionel.maurizi@u-bourgogne.fr
• Nadine Millot, Professor – Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Carnot de Bourgogne (ICB)  / nadine.millot@u-bourgogne.fr