FePt@CoS₂ Yolk−Shell Nanocrystals as a Potent Agent to Kill HeLa Cells

Abstract

Abstract:We report the evaluation of cytotoxicity of a new type of engineered nanomaterials, FePt@CoS2 yolk-shell nanocrystals, synthesized by the mechanism of the Kirkendall effect when FePt nanoparticles serve as the seeds. The cytotoxicity of FePt@CoS2 yolk-shell nanocrystals, evaluated by MTT assay, shows a much lower IC50 (35.5 ( 4.7 ng of Pt/mL for HeLa cell) than that of cisplatin (230 ng of Pt/mL). In the control experiment, cysteine-modified FePt nanoparticles exhibit IC50 at 12.0 ( 0.9 µg of Pt/mL. Transmission electron microscopy confirms the cellular uptake of FePt@CoS2 nanocrystals, and the magnetic properties analysis (SQUID) proves the release of FePt nanoparticles from the yolk-shell nanostructures after cellular uptake. These results are significant because almost none of the platinumbased complexes produced for clinical trials in the past 3 decades have shown higher activity than that of the parent drug, cisplatin. The exceptionally high toxicity of FePt@CoS2 yolk-shell nanocrystals (about 7 times higher than that of cisplatin in terms of Pt) may lead to a new design of an anticancer nanomedicine.

Influences of surface coatings and components of FePt nanoparticles on the suppression of glioma cell proliferation

“…The cytotoxic mechanisms of FePt NPs on glioma cells were still amphibolous. In previous studies, Gao et al 19,23 suggest that FePt cores contained in FePt@CoS 2 ions. Fe ion-induced enhancement of intracellular reactive oxygen species levels initiates a series of oxidative damages and cell apoptosis.…”

“…Both FePt@CoS 2 and FePt@Fe 2 O 3 yolkshell NPs display a much lower IC 50 on HeLa cells than that of cisplatin, according to MTT assay. 19,23 Additionally, FePt NPs significantly suppress the proliferation of various tumor cells, such as human ovarian cancer cells (A2780), human epithelial carcinoma cells (A431), human breast cancer cells (Sk-Br3), and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293). 24 Thus, superparamagnetic FePt NPs could be considered good candidates for developing multi-functional nanomedicines for the diagnosis and therapy of malignant gliomas.…”

Hollow, Branched and Multifunctional Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Properties and Applications

“…153,154 In contrast to a solid core@shell structure, the yolk@shell structure contains a core that is not attached to the shell, an architecture The Fe 3 O 4 @Au nanoparticles described by Xu display a prominent plasmon absorption, which is uncommon for such thin Au layers. 147 The enhanced SPR intensity is attributed to the increased charge on the surface due to the presence of the citrate and CTAB ions.…”

“…153,154 For example, the FePt@CoS 2 yolk@shell nanoparticles can be readily endocytosed by cells. The CoS 2 shell is quite porous and can easily fill with water.…”

“…Because the environment within cells is acidic, the FePt nanoparticles encapsulated within the CoS 2 shell are susceptible to oxidation and decomposition to ionic Fe 2+ and Pt 2+ ions. 154 The released Pt 2+ ions are subsequently able to migrate to the cell nucleus and damage DNA through the coordination to the 5 ′ -GG-3 ′ bases and the resulting inhibition of replication (Fig. 33).…”