Uptake of silver, gold, and hybrids silver-iron, gold-iron and silver-gold aminolevulinic acid nanoparticles by MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Author(s)

Goncalves, Karina de Oliveira ^[1] ; Vieira, Daniel Perez ^[2] ; Levy, Debora ^[3] ; Bydlowski, Sergio Paulo ^[3] ; Courrol, Lilia Coronato ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Phys, Inst Environm Chem & Pharmaceut Sci, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Inst Energy & Nucl Res, Biotechnol Ctr, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med SP, Histocompatibil & Cellular Immun Lab LIM19, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy; v. 32, DEC 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Background: Nanoparticles show promise for theranostic applications in cancer. The metal-based nanoparticles can be used both as photosensitizers and delivery vehicles. In bimetallic particles based on gold or silver and iron, a combination of the plasmonic features of the gold or silver components with the magnetic properties of the iron makes these hybrid nanomaterials suitable for both imaging and therapeutic applications. Herein, we discuss toxicity and cell internalization of metallic (silver and gold) and bimetallic (silver-iron, gold-iron, and silver-gold) aminolevulinic acid (ALA) nanoparticles. ALA can control the production of an intracellular photosensitizer, protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), commonly used in photodynamic therapy. Methods: Nanoparticles were synthesized by photoreduction method and characterized by UV/Vis spectra, Zeta potential, FTIR, XRD, and transmission electron microscopy. The amount of singlet oxygen generation by a yellow LED, and ultrasound was studied for gold, gold-iron, and silver-gold nanoparticles. Cytotoxicity assays of MCF-7 in the presence of nanoparticles were performed, and PpIX fluorescence was quantified by high content screening (HCS). Results: Red fluorescence observed after 24 h of nanoparticles incubation on MCF-7 cells, indicated that the ALA in surface of nanoparticles was efficiently converted to PpIX. The best results for singlet oxygen generation with LED or ultrasound irradiation were obtained with ALA:AgAuNPs. Conclusions: The studied nanoparticles present the potential to deliver aminolevulinic acid to breast cancer cells efficiently, generate singlet oxygen, and convert ALA into PpIX inside the cells allowing photodiagnosis and therapies such as photodynamic and sonodynamic therapies. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/50983-3 - INCT 2014: complex fluids
• Grantee: Antonio Martins Figueiredo Neto
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/23686-6 - Use of fluorescence spectroscopy on detection and control of contamination in food
• Grantee: Lilia Coronato Courrol
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/06960-9 - Use of gold nanoparticles as theranostic agent for atherosclerosis
• Grantee: Lilia Coronato Courrol
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants