Shape effect of mesoporous silica nanoparticles on cellular and in vivo functions

Abstract

The design of smart functional nanosystems for theranostics requires a thorough understanding of the interaction between nanoparticles (NPs) and biological systems. Recent observations suggest that physical parameters of NPs, like size, shape and surface charge, can dramatically affect the behaviors of NPs in biological systems and might, in part, determine the bioapplications of NPs. Among various factors, particle shape has been considered to play an important role in both cellular interactions with NPs and systemic distribution of NPs. However, limited information is available regarding the effects of particle shape on these biological behaviors.