Differential uptake of nanoparticles by human M1 and M2 polarized macrophages: protein corona as a critical determinant.

Aim: To investigate the interaction behavior of M1- and M2-type macrophages with nanoparticles of different sizes with/without the presence of serum.

Materials & Methods: THP-1 human monocytes were differentiated into M1 and M2 macrophages, and the uptake of silica nanoparticle (50-1000 nm) was studied using flow cytometry and different microscopies.

Results: Without serum, higher uptake of all-sized nanoparticles was observed by M1 compared with M2.