Independent effect of polymeric nanoparticle zeta potential/surface charge, on their cytotoxicity and affinity to cells

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Objectives</jats:title><jats:p>Up to now, little research has been focussed on discovering how zeta potential independently affects polymeric nanoparticle (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">NP</jats:styled-content>) cytotoxicity.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>Polymeric nanoparticles of gradient zeta potential ranging from <jats:bold>−</jats:bold>30 mv to +40 mv were fabricated using the same poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">PHBHH</jats:styled-content>x) biopolymer. Interaction forces between nanoparticles and cells were measured by atomic force microscopy (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">AFM</jats:styled-content>). Cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles to cells was investigated by using <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">MTT</jats:styled-content> (3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2‐H‐tetrazolium bromide) assay.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Four kinds of nanoparticle with similar sizes and gradient zeta potentials, were fabricated. Those with positive surface charges were found to be more toxic than those with negative surface charges. Positively charged nanoparticles or nanoparticles with higher ‘like’ charges, offered higher interaction force with cells.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>This work proposes a novel approach for investigating interaction between <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">NP</jats:styled-content>s and cells, and discloses the importance of controlling zeta potential in developing <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">NP</jats:styled-content>s‐based formulations in the future.</jats:p></jats:sec>