Controlled functionalization of cellulose nanocrystals directs polymer-specific protein coronas and immune cell interactions.

Dense polymer brushes on cellulose nanocrystals significantly reduce nonspecific protein adsorption, but all surfaces form dynamic protein coronas in serum.

• Why it matters: Understanding how polymer coatings influence protein corona formation and immune interactions is crucial for designing nanoparticles with predictable biological behaviors in complex environments.
• What they did: The study used a modular grafting-to platform to systematically compare PEG-based, zwitterionic, and acrylamide-based polymers with controlled density and conformation on porphyrin-modified CNCs, analyzing protein adsorption and immune cell interactions.
• The result: Polymer-dependent immune interactions are diminished after corona formation, with zwitterionic coatings broadly suppressing immune responses and PEG coatings favoring antigen-presenting cell interactions, informing nanoparticle design for targeted immune profiles.