Role of Surface Hydrophobicity of Dicationic Amphiphile-Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles on A549 Lung Cancer Cells

The toxicity of nanoparticles and their interaction with cells: an in vitro metabolomic perspective

Nowadays, nanomaterials (NMs) are widely present in daily life due to their significant benefits, as demonstrated by their application in many fields such as biomedicine, engineering, food, cosmetics, sensing, and energy. However, the increasing production of NMs multiplies the chances of their release into the surrounding environment, making human exposure to NMs inevitable. Currently, nanotoxicology is a crucial field, which focuses on studying the toxicity of NMs. The toxicity or effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on the environment and humans can be preliminary assessed in vitro using cell models. However, the conventional cytotoxicity assays, such as the MTT assay, have some drawbacks including the possibility of interference with the studied NPs. Therefore, it is necessary to employ more advanced techniques that provide high throughput analysis and avoid interferences. In this case, metabolomics is one of the most powerful bioanalytical strategies to assess the toxicity of different materials. By measuring the metabolic change upon the introduction of a stimulus, this technique can reveal the molecular information of the toxicity induced by NPs. This provides the opportunity to design novel and efficient nanodrugs and minimizes the risks of NPs used in industry and other fields. Initially, this review summarizes the ways that NPs and cells interact and the NP parameters that play a role in this interaction, and then the assessment of these interactions using conventional assays and the challenges encountered are discussed. Subsequently, in the main part, we introduce the recent studies employing metabolomics for the assessment of these interactions in vitro.

Cationic cellulose nanocrystals as sustainable green material for multi biological applications via ξ potential

The present study aims to disclose the activity of cationic cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a promising multifunctional green nanomaterial with applications in biological aspects. The basic reason behind multifunctional behavior is zeta potential and size distribution of nano biopolymers; exhibit a remarkable physical and biological activity compared to normal molecules.The preliminary characterized studied using absorption spectral analysis showed strong absorption peak indicating that spectrum curves can be screen by UV spectra at wavelength range 200-400nm. Ultrastructural studies (SEM-EDS and TEM), manifest that CNCs are elliptical particles in shape. Also, TEM show CNCs are the ideal illustration of zero-dimensional (0-D) NPs, less than 5.1 nm in diameter with Cationic charge and similar results in size distribution by TEM. Nonetheless, developed as antioxidant activity IC₅₀ was 1467 ± 25.9 µg/mL, antimicrobial activity tested G^-ve strains, but not affected on tested G^+ve strains and tested fungi. Evaluating toxicity effect of cationic CNCs against human blood erythrocytes (RBCs) and Lymphocyte Proliferation and the end point evaluate by comet assay, which proven no cytotoxic effect. Also, a high dose 500 µg/mL of CNCs highly significant (p < 0.05) reduction in cell viability of Caco-2 cancer cells after 24 h. incubation time, whereas the IC₅₀ was 1884 ± 19.46 µg/mL. Moreover, genotoxic assay indicates Caco-2 cells cause apoptosis with no fragmentation in DNA. Undoubtedly, the obtained results brought about by the interaction of layers carrying opposing charges. Additionally, there is a balance between hydrophilic contact and electrostatic attraction. That emphasizes how the cationic CNCs have excellent potential for use as antioxidants, antimicrobials, and anticancer agents.

Gold Nanoparticles Induced Size Dependent Cytotoxicity on Human Alveolar Adenocarcinoma Cells by Inhibiting the Ubiquitin Proteasome System

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are widely used in biomedicine due to their remarkable therapeutic applications. However, little is known about their cytotoxic effects on the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). Herein, the cytotoxicity of different sizes of AuNPs (5, 10, and 80 nm) on the UPS was investigated with a particular focus on deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) such as ubiquitin-specific proteases (USP) and ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolases (UCHL-1) in human alveolar epithelial adenocarcinoma (A549). It was found that all sizes of AuNPs reduced the percentage of viable A549 cells and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, measured using the MTT and LDH assays, respectively. Furthermore, the 5 nm AuNPs were found to exhibit greater cytotoxicity than the 10 and 80 nm AuNPs. In addition, apoptosis and necrosis were activated through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation due to AuNPs exposure. The internalisation of AuNPs in A549 cells increased with increasing particle size (80 > 10 > 5 nm). Interestingly, the expression of USP7, USP8, USP10, and UCHL-1 was significantly (p < 0.001) downregulated upon treatment with 5-30 µg/mL of all the AuNPs sizes compared to control cells. Moreover, the inhibition of these proteins triggered mitochondrial-related apoptosis through the upregulation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), caspase-3, and caspase-9. Collectively, these results indicate that AuNPs suppress the proliferation of A549 cells and can potentially be used as novel inhibitors of the proteasome.

Emerging trends in the application of gold nanoformulations in colon cancer diagnosis and treatment

Colorectal cancer is one of the most aggressive types of cancer with about two million new cases and one million deaths in 2020. The side effects of the available chemotherapies and the possibility of developing resistance against treatment highlight the importance of developing new therapeutic options. The development in the field of nanotechnology have introduced the application of nanoparticles (NPs) as a promising approach in the diagnosis and treatments of colorectal cancer and other types of cancer. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are currently one of the most studied materials as they possess unique tunable properties allowing them to play a role in colorectal cancer bioimaging, diagnosis, and therapy. The high surface-to-volume ratio of AuNPs mediates their utilization in drug delivery as well as functionalization to provide specific targeting. Moreover, depending on their physical properties (size, shape), AuNPs can be modified to fit the intended application. However, there are contradictory results around the pharmacokinetics of AuNPs including their biodistribution, clearance, and toxicity. This variation of opinions is most likely due to the development of different AuNPs that vary in shape, size, and surface chemistry, in addition to the conditions under which each research was carried out. The conflicting data represent a challenge in the clinical use of AuNPs suggesting the need to understand the toxicity, fate, and long-term exposure of AuNPs in vivo. Thus, there is an unmet need for the establishment of a publicly available data base for extensive analysis. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in AuNP applications in the treatment and diagnosis of colorectal cancer, mechanisms of action, and clinical challenges.

A simple and convenient electrochemiluminescence immunoassay by using gold nanoparticles as both label and co-reactant

A simple and convenient electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) has been developed by using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as both label and co-reactant. In this novel ECLIA, the detection antibodies labeled with AuNPs as co-reactant reacts directly with ruthenium complex to produce electrochemiluminescence (ECL), which avoids the weakness of luminophore as a label. The feasibility of the new method was investigated through the sandwich ECL immunosensor for the determination of human immunoglobulin (HIgG), and excitation of luminescence was respectively driven by linear sweep voltammetry and step potential. Under the optimal conditions, ECL intensity of the immunosensor increased with HIgG concentration in a wide range from 0.01 to 10.0 ng/mL and displayed linear response to logarithm of HIgG concentration. The results showed that the detection limit was 5 pg/mL, and the relative error was no more than 4.6% for the repeated measurements. The relative standard deviation was less than 2.9% for the determination of the standard sample, which can meet the requirement of ECLIA.

Differential toxicity mechanism of gold nanoparticles in HK-2 renal proximal tubular cells and 786-0 carcinoma cells

Aim: To research the influence and mechanism of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with different size for HK-2 cells (kidney normal cells) and 786-0 cells (kidney cancer cells). Materials & methods: HK-2 cells and 786-0 cells were treated with 5 and 200 nm AuNPs at 1 and 10 μg/ml. The cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, cell apoptosis, cell autophagy, and related cell signaling pathways were analyzed. Results: In HK-2 cells, AuNPs reduced the activity of Akt and mTOR and upregulated the expression of LC3 II. In 786-0 cells, the activity of p38 was upregulated, which leaded to the increase of caspase 3 and initiated apoptosis. Conclusion: AuNPs of 5 and 200 nm at 10 μg/ml exerted antitumor effect by prompting apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation, while autophagy was activated to protect HK-2 cells from AuNPs-induced cytotoxicity.

Biocompatible thiolate protected copper nanoclusters for an efficient imaging of lung cancer cells

We report, the one-pot synthesis of water-soluble and biocompatible 3-mercaptopropylsulfonate (MPS) protected novel copper nanoclusters (CuNCs). Interestingly, the TEM image of MPS protected CuNCs exhibits an ultrasmall nanoclusters of particle size <2-nm, similar to its Au and Ag analogue. The hydrophilic and biocompability property of thiolate protected CuNCs. i.e., MPS stabilized CuNCs and its luminescent nature gave rise to maximum quantum yield of 1.5%. Further, as achieved CuNCs was investigated for haemocompatibility, cell viability and fluorescent microscopic analysis with A549 lung cancer cell line. Haemolytic study was examined using human RBCs in the concentration range of 4 to 22 μg/mL for which 7.5% of haemolysis was obtained for an optimum concentration of 22 μg/mL of CuNCs. The cell viability analysis was carried out by MTT assay using A549 lung cancer cells for the minimum (10 μg/mL) and maximum (45 μg/mL) concentration of CuNCs which reports 93.1% and 38.2% cell viability respectively. The inverted light microscopic images from the control and CuNCs treated (20 μg/mL) cells exhibited an excellent biocompatibility with a normal morphology. Upon increasing the concentration of CuNCs upto 45 μg/mL, the cell viability trends to decrease and the cell morphology also denature gradually. Further, the bio-imaging application of CuNCs was analyzed with A549 lung cancer cells. The efficient imaging with CuNCs treated (20 μg/mL) A549 cells resulted in a green colour emission using FITC filter (460- 490 nm). Thereby the obtained results confirm the applicability of CuNCs for the biomedical and cancer diagnosis applications.

Immune cell engineering: opportunities in lung cancer therapeutics

Engineered immune cells offer a prime therapeutic alternate for some aggressive and frequently occurring malignancies like lung cancer. These therapies were reported to result in tumor regression and overall improvement in patient survival. However, studies also suggest that the presence of cancer cell-induced immune-suppressive microenvironment, off-target toxicity, and difficulty in concurrent imaging are some prime impendent in the success of these approaches. The present article reviews the need and significance of the currently available immune cell-based strategies for lung cancer therapeutics. It also showcases the utility of incorporating nanoengineered strategies and details the available formulations of nanocarriers. In last, it briefly discussed the existing methods for nanoparticle fuctionalization and challenges in translating basic research to the clinics. Graphical Abstract.

The Rational Design and Biological Mechanisms of Nanoradiosensitizers

Radiotherapy (RT) has been widely used for cancer treatment. However, the intrinsic drawbacks of RT, such as radiotoxicity in normal tissues and tumor radioresistance, promoted the development of radiosensitizers. To date, various kinds of nanoparticles have been found to act as radiosensitizers in cancer radiotherapy. This review focuses on the current state of nanoradiosensitizers, especially the related biological mechanisms, and the key design strategies for generating nanoradiosensitizers. The regulation of oxidative stress, DNA damage, the cell cycle, autophagy and apoptosis by nanoradiosensitizers in vitro and in vivo is highlighted, which may guide the rational design of therapeutics for tumor radiosensitization.

Method development for optimised green synthesis of gold nanoparticles from Millettia pinnata and their activity in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) has received substantial attention, because nanoparticles are produced in an eco-friendly way using biomolecules present in plant extracts in a single step reaction. This research article highlights GNPs obtained using shade-dried leaf extracts of Millettia pinnata (L.) with aqueous auric chloride (HAuCl₄) at ambient temperature. In the present study, GNPs with average particle size 37 nm in size were fabricated. Furthermore, the synthesis method to obtain stable and monodispersed GNPs was advanced by optimising enzyme concentration 100 μg/ml, pH 5.4, substrate concentration 0.45 mM and 12 h time of reaction. The confirmation of GNPs formation and characterisation was followed by UV-vis-absorption spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential (ZP) for the analysis of shape, size, and stability, respectively. TEM images and powder XRD revealed the GNPs synthesis of spherical-shaped nanoparticles in the face-centred cubic arrangement. Cytotoxicity of GNPs was studied against A549 lung cancer cells with IC₅₀ 14.76 μg/ml and found lower as compared to doxorubicin IC₅₀ 11.23 μg/ml but significant enough to be used as a vehicle GNPs produced using green source can be used as significant therapeutic agents and drug delivery carriers.

Cytotoxicity-Related Bioeffects Induced by Nanoparticles: The Role of Surface Chemistry

Nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in a variety of fields, including those related to consumer products, architecture, energy, and biomedicine. Once they enter the human body, NPs contact proteins in the blood and interact with cells in organs, which may induce cytotoxicity. Among the various factors of NP surface chemistry, surface charges, hydrophobicity levels and combinatorial decorations are found to play key roles inregulating typical cytotoxicity-related bioeffects, including protein binding, cellular uptake, oxidative stress, autophagy, inflammation, and apoptosis. In this review, we summarize the recent progress made in directing the levels and molecular pathways of these cytotoxicity-related effects by the purposeful design of NP surface charge, hydrophobicity, and combinatorial decorations.

Preparation and In Vitro Release of Total Alkaloids from Alstonia Scholaris Leaves Loaded mPEG-PLA Microspheres

Total alkaloids of Alstonia scholaris leaves (ASAs) are extracted from the lamp leaves, which have positive anti-inflammatory activity and remarkable effects in treating bronchitis. Due to its short half-life, we used a degradable mPEG-PLA to physically encapsulate the total alkali of the lamp stage, and prepared a sustained-release microsphere by double-emulsion method. The ASAs-loaded mPEG10000-PLA microspheres were screened for better performance by testing the morphology, average particle size, embedding rate and drug loading of different molecular weight mPEG-PLA microspheres, which can stably and continuously release for 15 days at 37 °C. The results of cytotoxicity and blood compatibility indicated that the drug-loaded microspheres have beneficial biocompatibility. Animal experiments showed that the drug-loaded microspheres had a beneficial anti-inflammatory effect. These results all indicated that mPEG-PLA is a controlled release carrier material suitable for ASAs.

Electrochemiluminescence of gold nanoparticles and gold nanoparticle-labelled antibodies as co-reactants

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and AuNP-labelled antibodies can participate in the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) reaction of tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) ruthenium(ii) (Ru(bpy)3 2+) as a co-reactant. The electrochemical and spectral characteristics of this new ECL system were confirmed by experiments, and its reaction mechanism was speculated to be different from that of typical ECL. The experimental results showed that the new ECL system exhibited higher ECL efficiency, and AuNP-labelled substances can be sensitively measured with the help of AuNPs. Based on the dual role of AuNPs as a co-reactant and marker, the AuNP-Ru(bpy)3 2+ ECL system will be a useful tool in biochemical analysis.

The Apoptosis Effect on Liver Cancer Cells of Gold Nanoparticles Modified with Lithocholic Acid

Functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have widely applied in many fields, due to their good biocompatibility, a long drug half-life, and their bioactivity is related to their size and the modified ligands on their surface. Here, we synthesized the AuNPs capped with ligands that possess polyethylene glycol (PEG) and lithocholic acid (LCA) linked by carboxyl groups (AuNP@MPA-PEG-LCA). Our cytotoxicity results indicated that AuNP@MPA-PEG-LCA have better cell selectivity; in other words, it could inhibit the growth of multiple liver cancer cells more effectively than other cancer cells and normal cells. Apoptosis plays a role in AuNP@MPA-PEG-LCA inhibition cell proliferation, which was convincingly proved by some apoptotic index experiments, such as nuclear staining, annexin V-FITC, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) analysis, and AO/EB staining experiments. The most potent AuNP@MPA-PEG-LCA were confirmed to efficiently induce apoptosis through a reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediating mitochondrial dysfunction. And AuNP@MPA-PEG-LCA could be more effective in promoting programmed cell death of liver cancer cells.

Gold Nanoparticle-Induced Cell Death and Potential Applications in Nanomedicine

Cell death is crucial to human health and is related to various serious diseases. Therefore, generation of new cell death regulators is urgently needed for disease treatment. Nanoparticles (NPs) are now routinely used in a variety of fields, including consumer products and medicine. Exhibiting stability and ease of decoration, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) could be used in diagnosis and disease treatment. Upon entering the human body, GNPs contact human cells in the blood, targeting organs and the immune system. This property results in the disturbance of cell function and even cell death. Therefore, GNPs may act as powerful cell death regulators. However, at present, we are far from establishing a structure–activity relationship between the physicochemical properties of GNPs and cell death, and predicting GNP-induced cell death. In this review, GNPs’ size, shape, and surface properties are observed to play key roles in regulating various cell death modalities and related signaling pathways. These results could guide the design of GNPs for nanomedicine.