<p>Gold nanoparticles and angiogenesis: molecular mechanisms and biomedical applications</p>

Abstract

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. It is a highly regulated process as determined by the interplay between pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors. Under certain conditions the balance between angiogenesis stimulators and inhibitors is altered, which results in a shift from physiological to pathological angiogenesis. Therefore, the goal of therapeutic targeting of angiogenic process is to normalize vasculature in target tissues by enhancing angiogenesis in disease conditions of reduced vascularity and blood flow, such as tissue ischemia, or alternatively to inhibit excessive and abnormal angiogenesis in disorders like cancer. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are special particles that are generated by nanotechnology and composed of an inorganic core containing gold which is encircled by an organic monolayer. The ability of AuNPs to alter vasculature has captured recent attention in medical literature as potential therapeutic agents for the management of pathologic angiogenesis. This review provides an overview of the effects of AuNPs on angiogenesis and the molecular mechanisms and biomedical applications associated with their effects. In addition, the main synthesis methods, physical properties, uptake mechanisms, and toxicity of AuNPs are briefly summarized.

Gold Nanoparticles as a Potent Radiosensitizer: A Transdisciplinary Approach from Physics to Patient

“…The molecular basis of the anti-proliferative effect is complex due to the multiple molecular pathways involved [112]. GNPs have been shown to have a huge impact on growth factors (VEGF-165, VEGF-A, FGF, etc.)…”

“…GNPs have been shown to have a huge impact on growth factors (VEGF-165, VEGF-A, FGF, etc.) through activity inhibition and/or expression reduction [100,[112][113][114]. This can lead to inhibition of Src kinase [115] and VEGF-A/VEGFR pathways and to subsequent inhibition of AKT and ERK phosphorylation [116].…”

Nanomaterials for Antiangiogenic Therapies for Cancer: A Promising Tool for Personalized Medicine

“…The US FDA has approved several antiangiogenic agents for cancer treatment; these include monoclonal antibodies [40] that target specific proangiogenic growth factors and their receptors (ramucirumab and bevacizumab), tyrosine kinases inhibitors (TKIs; axitinib, sunitinib, sorafenib, regorafenib, cabozantinib, pazopanib, and vandetanib) and inhibitors of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR; everolimus and temsirolimus). Despite their availability, many of these agents have limited clinical uses [41].…”

Energy Conversion-Based Nanotherapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

“…Since 1985, gold compounds were admitted to be used as DMARDs because gold could inhibit the formation of vascular pannus by binding VEGFs (Faa et al, 2018 ; Darweesh et al, 2019 ). Nowadays, the development of nanotechnology has injected vitality into the application of gold in RA.…”