Mechanistic Study and Control of Hemolytic Action of Nanoparticles

Abstract

Hemolysis assay using red blood cells has been widely used as the simplest cytotoxicity test for nanoparticles. Nevertheless, the hemolytic action mechanism of nanoparticles is still poorly understood. In this study, the hemolytic action of silica nanoparticles with different particle diameters (5–120 nm) and surface functional groups (none, amino group, and carboxyl group) was investigated under different exposure environments: temperatures (4–43°C) and phosphatic buffered saline solutions (additive-free, serum added, and serum albumin added). Adding to the hemolysis assay, the adhesion number of nanoparticles to red blood cells and the aggregation/dispersibility of red blood cells were measured, whereby the overall picture of the hemolytic action mechanism of nanoparticles was given.