Multivalent interaction of nanoparticles (having different shapes) with cell surface receptors
(A) Role of the shape of nanoparticles on multivalent interaction with cell surface receptors. Compared with nanospheres, oblong-shaped nanoparticles can form more multivalent interactions, which is required for vascular targeting (this image was drawn on the basis of information provided in Blanco et al., 2015 [10], Figure 3). (B) Role of contact angle of nanoparticles in intracellular internalization. Rod-shaped nanoparticles tend to internalize faster when it is present perpendicularly on the cell membrane. Due to the symmetry of the spherical nanoparticles, they do not prefer any specific contact angle (This image was drawn on the basis of information provided in Toy et al., 2014 [62], Figure 2).