Analytical and Theranostic Applications of Gold Nanoparticles and Multifunctional Nanocomposites

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and GNP-based multifunctional nanocomposites are the subject of intensive studies and biomedical applications. This minireview summarizes our recent efforts in analytical and theranostic applications of engineered GNPs and nanocomposites by using plasmonic properties of GNPs and various optical techniques. Specifically, we consider analytical biosensing; visualization and bioimaging of bacterial, mammalian, and plant cells; photodynamic treatment of pathogenic bacteria; and photothermal therapy of xenografted tumors. In addition to recently published reports, we discuss new data on dot immunoassay diagnostics of mycobacteria, multiplexed immunoelectron microscopy analysis of Azospirillum brasilense, materno-embryonic transfer of GNPs in pregnant rats, and combined photodynamic and photothermal treatment of rat xenografted tumors with gold nanorods covered by a mesoporous silica shell doped with hematoporphyrin.

Photothermal effects of laser-activated surface plasmonic gold nanoparticles on the apoptosis and osteogenesis of osteoblast-like cells

“…[5][6][7] Raji et al 28 demonstrated that AuNPs conjugated to epidermal growth factor receptor antibodies could selectively target human epithelial cancer cells (A431) and induce cell death after laser irradiation. Li and Gu 14 reported that irradiating cancer cells with a high-power laser …”

“…Tunable AuNPs could be used for various applications, such as photosensitive agents for hyperthermia therapy, [5][6][7] triggers for thermally induced reactions, 8 and biomarkers for cell labeling. [9][10][11] Although the LSPR absorption peak of Au/AuNPs is size and geometry dependent, 12,13 the critical parameter for the efficacy of AuNP-mediated laser-activated hyperthermia is the amount of energy delivered by the laser per time and area.…”

Nanopharmaceuticals (part 2): products in the pipeline

“…When modifying the surface of such NPs with specific cell-recognizing ligands, this technique has the potential to selectively kill cancer (or other target) cells while minimizing undesirable side effects. 43 The unique optical properties of gold NPs which are related to localized plasmonic excitations in metal nanostructures interacting with light 44 are currently under intense investigations as is mirrored by the high number of PubMed hits, as shown in Table 1. A large variety of nanostructures made from gold, including nanoshells, nanorods, nanospheres, and nanocages, have been used as photothermal therapeutic agents for fighting cancers (reviewed by Sikdar et al 45 ).…”

Advancements on the molecular design of nanoantibiotics: current level of development and future challenges

“…92,93 Due to their small size, large surface area to volume ratio, stability over high temperature and translocation into the cells, inorganic nanoparticles are considered as a viable alternative for carrying a large amount of antibiotics and the efficacy of metallic NPs conjugated with antibiotics has thus been the subject of intense investigations. These studies showed that gold nanostructures 94,95 used in combination with antibiotics exhibit enhanced bactericidal activity on a range of Gram-positive and Gramnegative bacteria and higher stability over an extended storage compared to the free antibiotics (Table 6).…”