Dynamic Interplay between Deformability and Activity in Cell Entry of Soft Active Nanoparticles

Abstract

Deformability has been recognized as a prime important characteristic influencing cellular uptake. But little is known about whether it controls cell–nanoparticle interfaces driven out of equilibrium. Here, we report on soft elastic active nanoparticles whose deformability due to the rigidity regulates the nonequilibrium interaction and dynamics in their endocytosis process. Simulations demonstrate a definitely nonmonotonic feature for the dependence of uptake efficiency on nanoparticle rigidity, in striking contrast to their passive counterpart. There exists a minimum activity for certain cellular uptake, which turns to a larger rigidity for a more vertical orientation of the nanoparticle. We analyze these results by developing analytical theories that reveal the physical origin of various energetic contributions and dissipations governed by the dynamic interplay between nanoparticle deformability and activity. Altogether, the present findings provide new insights into the nonequilibrium physics at cellular interfaces and might be of immediate interest to designing soft systems for the desired biomedical applications.