Use of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-tags for early cancer detection and targeted therapy has significantly increased over the past few decades. SERS-based imaging offers ultra sensitivity up to single molecule detection, multiplexing capability, increased photo stability, and has been shown to outperform fluorescence. However, in order to use SERS tags for early cancer detection, it is important to understand their interaction with cells and cytotoxicity. In this study, we carried out a multi-parametric <i>in vitro</i> study to look at the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of gold nanoparticles on human glioblastoma and human dermal fibroblast cell lines. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by incubating cells with three different morphologies of AuNPs: nanospheres, nanorods, and nanostars, each having three different surface chemistries (cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG), and human serum albumin (HSA)). Our results showed that the morphology of the nanoparticles had no effect on cell viability. CTAB coated particles were found to be the most toxic to cells while PEGylated nanostars were least toxic. Caspase-3 assay and LDH assay revealed that the mechanism of cell death was different for both cell lines. This study provides valuable information on morphology and surface chemistry-induced cytotoxicity of gold nanoparticles that is necessary for the development of gold nanoparticle based cancer detection systems.

Effect of morphology and surface chemistry of gold nanoparticles on cellular uptake and cytotoxicity

251st National Meeting (2016)

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