Cytotoxicity and Cellular Responses of Gold Nanorods to Smooth Muscle Cells Dependent on Surface Chemistry Coupled Action

Abstract

Gold nanorods (AuNRs), with their unique physicochemical properties, are recognized as promising materials for biomedical applications. Chemi cal modification of their surfaces is attracting increasing attention with regard to cytotoxicity and cellular uptake. Herein, the toxicological effects of three types of polymer-coated AuNRs, which are cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-coated AuNRs, polystyrene sulphonate-coated AuNRs, and poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride-coated AuNRs (PDDAC-AuNRs), on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are investigated. The results show significantly different effects on VSMCs with different surface coatings. PDDAC-AuNRs, which were nontoxic in cancer cells in previous reports, display extreme toxicity to VSMCs. Initial contact between AuNRs and cell membranes is the important step in AuNRs cellular uptake. Force spectroscopy based on atomic force microscopy is exploited to study interactions between AuNRs and VSMCs membrane in the absence or presence of a corona on the AuNRs surface. The results show that the binding force and binding probability between AuNRs and membranes are closely related to cytotoxicity and cellular responses. These findings highlight the importance of assessing nanoparticle cytotoxicity in somatic cells for medical applications.

Effect of Surface Modifications on Cellular Uptake of Gold Nanorods in Human Primary Cells and Established Cell Lines

“… 14 The experiments were conducted in serum-free media in order to minimize nonspecific interaction of serum proteins that may affect the surface properties of the AuNRs and alter the interactions between the AuNRs and cellular surface. 16 , 17 …”

Dendrimer-modified Gold Nanorods as a Platform for Combinational Gene Therapy and Photothermal Therapy of Tumors

“…Good biocompatibility is very important for the application of nanomaterials in the eld of biological therapy. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide is an essential active reagent for the synthesis of gold nanorods, although its apparent cytotoxicity limits its biological applications (33). To reduce the cytotoxicity of the material, we manipulated AUNR by externally modifying positively charged PAMAM.…”

Targeted Gene Silencing BRAF Synergized Photothermal Effect Inhibits Hepatoma Cell Growth Using New GAL-GNR-siBRAF Nanosystem

“…Good biocompatibility is essential for nanomaterials used in the field of biotherapy. CTAB is an essential active reagent in the synthesis of gold nanorods although it has apparent cytotoxicity that limits its biological application [41]. In order to reduce the cytotoxicity of the material, we manipulated the GNR by external modification of positive charge PEI and targeting adaptor GAL (D-galactose).…”

“…It was reported that HCC with high expression of BRAF and RAF1 tends to have rapid proliferation and growth [41,43,44]. B-Raf and Raf1 mainly act on the downstream of ERK/MAPK pathway, regulating nuclear factors through cascade amplification.…”

“…B-Raf and Raf1 mainly act on the downstream of ERK/MAPK pathway, regulating nuclear factors through cascade amplification. Activation of this pathway accelerates the proliferation and differentiation of HCC cells abnormally [41,44,45]. RAF gene can also promote the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which can change the adhesion of tumor cells, degrade extracellular matrix (ECM) and basement membrane, and promote the invasion and metastasis of tumors [44,45].…”