Exploring the cell uptake mechanism of phospholipid and polyethylene glycol coated gold nanoparticles

Abstract

Recently, there has been a lot of interest in using gold nanoparticles (GNPs) for biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility. To increase GNP cell uptake and circulation half-life, and to improve its bio-distribution in vivo, we chose to coat GNPs with 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-rac-glycerol) (sodium salt) (POPG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Two different methods were used to synthesize POPG-GNPs or PEG-GNPs, but the resulting nanoparticle sizes and morphologies were similar. Under the same incubation conditions, POPG-GNPs can be uptaken quicker than PEG-GNPs by cells-specifically, the maximum uptake was 8 h versus 16 h after incubation. In addition, the uptake amount of POPG-GNPs was more than that of PEG-GNPs. The uptake processes were confirmed by SEM and TEM images. The main reason for the greater uptake of POPG-GNPs can be attributed to the structural similarities between the POPG coating and the cell membrane as well as GNP aggregation.

Gold nanoparticle interactions with endothelial cells cultured under physiological conditions

“…Although the morphology of HUVECs changed after the application of shear stress (Supplemental figure 3), the internalization of PEGylated AuNPs was very low under both culture conditions (Figure 2 C). As PEGylation of nanoparticles was demonstrated to prolong the circulation time in blood 7,8 and also delayed or even prevented the internalization into cells 6,34,35 , the results of the flow experiments presented were in accordance with results previously described. In addition, the uptake of PEGylated AuNPs was very low; an altered internalization rate for the PEGylated AuNPs could be detected in cells cultured under static or flow conditions.…”

Kaempferol mediated synthesis of gold nanoparticles and their cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cancer cell line

“…The AuNPs coated with PEG and POPG have been observed on the surface of MCF-7 which is similar to the results obtained in the present study [51].…”

Gold Nanoparticle Surface Functionalization: A Necessary Requirement in the Development of Novel Nanotherapeutics

“…Passive nanoparticle accumulation within a tumour volume is primarily driven by the enhanced permeability and retention effect (EPR), where the torturous nature of the vasculature, and the poor lymphatic drainage result in the transit of nanoparticles of up to 500 nm across the vascular endothelium into the tumour interstitium [43]. Longer PEG chains confer improved stability but also hinder intracellular uptake of the nanoparticle limiting therapeutic benefit [44] , [45]. As an alternative to the chemical synthesis of GNPs and addition of PEG through a ligand exchange process a more controlled synthesis can be achieved through laser ablation excluding the need for a capping agent, as such a higher density of PEGylation can be achieved.…”