Final answer:
Target cells can be affected by alterations in their energy metabolism, MHC I expression, and interactions with nanoparticles. Blockage of glycolysis in RBCs can be fatal, MHC I anomalies may cause NK cells to lyse the cell, and the physical properties of nanoparticles greatly affect their efficacy and safety. Specific inhibitors are used to avoid targeting host cells while targeting bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to how target cells can be affected by various processes, including changes in energy metabolism, impaired MHC I expression, and interactions with targeted nanoparticles. For instance, red blood cells (RBCs) solely rely on glycolysis for energy because they lack mitochondria. If glycolysis is blocked in RBCs, it leads to an imbalance in the membrane potential and eventual cell death, as RBCs cannot utilize other sources of free energy like aerobic respiration.
Natural Killer (NK) cells help the immune system by recognizing healthy cells through their MHC I receptors. When a cell does not display MHC I due to viral infection or because it is a tumor cell, NK cells may lysate it. Hence, an organ transplant from an incompatible donor is often rejected because the recipient's immune system recognizes the foreign MHC I molecules as 'abnormal', triggering a rejection response.
Furthermore, the size, shape, and charge of actively targeted nanoparticles are crucial for their successful targeting of cancer cells. Cationic particles can interact more with cell membranes but may also increase toxicity and stimulate an immunologic response. Conjugating targeting moieties, especially large ones like antibodies, on nanoparticles can hinder their accumulation in targeted areas.
Inhibitors of bacterial nucleic acid synthesis are designed to target specific features of bacteria that human cells lack, which is why they don't generally target host cells. This specificity helps avoid interference with the host cell's normal processes.