Biodistribution and in vivo toxicity of aptamer-loaded gold nanostars

Abstract

This paper reports an in vivo evaluation of toxicology and biodistribution of a highly anisotropic Au nanoconstruct composed of a gold nanostar (AuNS) core and a ligand shell of a G-quadruplex DNA aptamer AS1411 (Apt) supporting both targeting and therapy capabilities. We examined the toxicity of the nanoconstructs (Apt-AuNS) at four different injected concentrations; at the highest dose tested (48 mg/kg), maximal tolerated dose was not reached. Complete assessment of clinical pathology showed no apparent signs of acute toxicity. Interestingly, the nanoconstructs circulated longer in female rats compared to male rats. In two different tumor models, the biodistribution of Apt-AuNS, especially tumor accumulation, was different. Accumulation of Apt-AuNS was 5 times higher in invasive breast cancer tumors compared to fibrosarcoma tumors. These results provide insight on identifying a tumor model and nanoconstruct for in vivo studies, especially when an in vitro therapeutic response is observed in multiple cancer cell lines.

Shape effect in cellular uptake of PEGylated nanoparticles: comparison between sphere, rod, cube and disk

“…[76][77][78] The method developed in the present study can also be applied to study the internalization of PEGylated complex-shaped, and in particular star-shaped NPs, as demonstrated in ESI section 8. [76][77][78] The method developed in the present study can also be applied to study the internalization of PEGylated complex-shaped, and in particular star-shaped NPs, as demonstrated in ESI section 8.…”

Gold nanostars for efficient in vitro and in vivo real-time SERS detection and drug delivery via plasmonic-tunable Raman/FTIR imaging

“…16 Gold nanostars, star-shaped gold nanoparticles, have exceptional optical properties. [17][18][19][20] They display two surface plasmon bands consistent to the transverse and longitudinal surface plasmon bands in the visible (520 nm) and the near-infrared regions, respectively 15 Thus, gold nanostars are special materials with an intense surface plasmon band that affords absorption, fluorescence [21][22][23] and light scattering 24,25 in the near-infrared region, inducing two-photon luminescence phenomena. 26 Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) is a common material for gold nanostar synthesis.…”

Enhanced Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Degradation in Breast Cancer Cells by Lysosome-Targeting Gold Nanoconstructs

“…3–6 Moreover, anisotropic NPs such as gold nanostars (AuNS) offer benefits over spherical Au colloids in the design of magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents and aptamer drug delivery systems. 7–11 In particular, AuNS synthesized by reducing gold salt with Good’s buffer molecules (HEPES) are biocompatible, and thiolated ligands can be released from the tips using ultra-fast (fs) light pulses at near-infrared wavelengths. 8, 9, 12, 13 The branched shape of AuNS also results in unique optical properties that enable prospects for imaging in biological conditions 14 and high surfaceto-volume ratios compared to spherical AuNPs that can increase the loading capacity of drugs grafted to nano-carriers.…”