Predicting bio-corona-induced adsorption and uptake of nanoplastics

We employ a theoretical approach to predict the bio-corona-induced nanoplastics (NPLs) uptake across plasma membranes (PMs). A lattice version of self-consistent field theory (SCFT) is used to predict the formation of bio-coronae consisting of adsorbed biopolymers around NPL particles. Using SCFT, we also show that weak attractions between the adsorbed monomers and lipid membranes allow the bio-corona to reconfigure when the NPL approaches a plasma membrane. Upon the reconfiguration, the reduced crowding in the bio-corona could induce an effective attraction between the NPL and PM. We show that a moderate effective attraction allows NPLs to bind to cell membranes and induce local excess stress in the biological barrier. When the effective NPL-PM interactions are sufficiently strong, however, spontaneous cellular uptake of nanoplastics can occur.