Polystyrene nanoparticles affecting blood coagulation.

Summary, in English

Association of nanoparticles with blood coagulation proteins may influence the natural balance between pro-and anticoagulant pathways. We investigated whether polystyrene nanoparticles, when added to human plasma, affected the generation of thrombin in plasma. Amine-modified nanoparticles were found to decrease the thrombin formation due to binding of factor VII and IX to the nanoparticles, which resulted in depletion of the respective protein in solution. In contrast, carboxyl-modified nanoparticles were able to act as a surface for activation of the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation in plasma. These results highlight the influence of nanoparticles on a biologically important pathway.