CHAPTER 9: Nanomaterial–Blood Interactions: A Biomedical Perspective

Within the short span of a decade, nanotechnology has gained tremendous recognition in diagnostic and therapeutic applications owing to its unique physiochemical properties. Whenever nanomaterials (NMs) are intravenously injected inside the biological system, NMs encounter the complex physiological environment of blood. Blood is a connective tissue consisting of blood cells, plasma proteins and lipoproteins, and a coagulation system that maintains the haemostasis of the body. NMs can interact with blood constituents and trigger patho-physiological events such as complement activation and thrombosis. Therefore, in this chapter, the roles of blood constituents in a biological system and interactions between NMs and blood components is critically reviewed. The shape, size, functionalisation and surface charge of NMs may be deciding factors for their adverse toxic effects. A critical analysis of nanomaterial–blood interactions will help with designing engineered NMs and manipulating their properties for impeccable applications in nanomedicine.