Figure 3.
Qualitative impacts of nanoparticle size, shape, and surface charge on biodistribution. The general effects of surface physicochemical properties on biodistribution were comprehensively reviewed by Blanco, Shen, & Ferrari and qualitatively graphed as relative accumulation in major mouse organs.10 Data were included from gold nanoparticles, liposomes, polymer micelles, zwitterionic nanoparticles, hydrogel nanoparticles, and more. (A) Nanoparticles greater than about 150 nm in diameter show increased accumulation in the lungs, liver, and spleen, while nanoparticles less than 5 nm in diameter show rapid renal clearance. (B) Spherical nanoparticles tend to have the least uptake by major clearance organs compared to cylindrical and discoidal nanoparticles. (C) Nanoparticles with positively charged surfaces show much higher nonspecific uptake than nanoparticles with negatively charged or neutral surfaces. Reprinted with permission.(10)