In Vitro AuNPs' Cytotoxicity and Their Effect on Wound Healing

Abstract

Recently, due to their unique properties, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been used in many biological applications. However, little is known about their toxicity when they come into contact with a biological system. Based on the proposal that AuNPs can have a positive effect on wound healing, the present study investigated the influence of negatively-charged-surface AuNPs (average diameter 25–50 nm) on the viability of normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) and normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK). Moreover, we evaluated the effect of AuNPs on the secretion of proteins involved in wound healing, such as interleukin-8 and – 12 (IL-8, IL-12), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast grow factor (bFGF), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The results showed that AuNPs were not toxic to NHDF and NHEK. They showed a decrease in AuNPs' production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-α, as well as proteins involved in angiogenesis such as VEGF and bFGF. Thus, we suggest that AuNPs could have anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic activity.

Cellular localization and biological effects of 20nm‐gold nanoparticles

“…Consequently, AuNPs were attributed to inhibit HUVEC migration and tube formation by blocking the Akt signal pathway upon high affinity binding to the heparin binding domain of VEGF 165 . Pivodová et al investigated the influence of negatively‐charged‐surface AuNPs (0.25–25 ppm) synthesized in the approximate range of 25–50 nm, on biological markers involved in wound healing and the angiogenesis process in both normal human dermal fibroblasts and normal human epidermal keratinocytes. AuNPs exhibited anti‐inflammatory activity through the inhibition of interleukin‐6, interleukin‐12 and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) level, and anti‐angiogenic activity decreasing the expression of VEGF and bFGF .…”

“…Pivodová et al investigated the influence of negatively‐charged‐surface AuNPs (0.25–25 ppm) synthesized in the approximate range of 25–50 nm, on biological markers involved in wound healing and the angiogenesis process in both normal human dermal fibroblasts and normal human epidermal keratinocytes. AuNPs exhibited anti‐inflammatory activity through the inhibition of interleukin‐6, interleukin‐12 and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) level, and anti‐angiogenic activity decreasing the expression of VEGF and bFGF . Kim et al reported that AuNPs of 20 nm in size inhibited VEGF‐induced in vitro angiogenesis on retinal microvascular endothelial cells via VEGFR2 phosphorylation and subsequent suppression of ERK 1/2 activation.…”

“…AuNPs exhibited anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of interleukin-6, interleukin-12 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) level, and antiangiogenic activity decreasing the expression of VEGF and bFGF. 41 Kim et al 42 reported that AuNPs of 20 nm in size inhibited VEGF-induced in vitro angiogenesis on retinal microvascular endothelial cells via VEGFR2 phosphorylation and subsequent suppression of ERK 1/2 activation. Furthermore, intravitreal injection of AuNPs significantly suppressed retinal neovascularization in the mouse model of retinopathy of prematurity.…”

Histological and Immuno-histochemical Study of the Cytotoxic Effects of Gold Nanoparticles on the Palate of Albino Rats

“…Further, their existence reduces cell adhesion, proliferation, and motility. On the contrary, the study carried out by (53) found that with negatively charged surface (-23.4 mV), the AuNPs (average diameter 25-50nm) were not toxic to the dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes of normal human. Also, they exerted anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting anti-angiogenic activity and IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-α level, resulting in reducing the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).…”

Evaluation of a Nanocomposite Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide and Gold Nanoparticles as an Electrochemical Platform for Detection of Sulfamethazine

“…Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have biological compatibility, good conductivity, and they can enhance the sensitivity and stability of graphene-modified electrodes due to their unique surface, chemical inertness, high electron density, and strong optical absorption. Recently, gold nanoparticles have been applied in clinical chemistry [21], biosensors [22] genomics [23,24], vaccine making [25,26], immunoassay [27], diagnosis and microorganism control [28], the imaging of cancer-cells, drug delivery [29][30][31], and energy storage [32]. The combination of AuNPs with rGO has led to great opportunities and applications due to the synergistic effects of the component materials and this may enlarge the application area of graphene.…”