In vitro cell cytotoxicity profile and morphological response to polyoxometalate-stabilised gold nanoparticles

Abstract

The size and redox properties of molecular polyoxometalates (POMs) make them extremely relevant for bioapplications: from disrupting tumour growth and enzyme inhibition, to DNA-intercalating agents and antimicrobial applications. Their unique ability to reversibly dominate and receive electrons, coupled with their high anionic charge, also makes them suitable for the preparation of zero-valent state metal nanoparticles (NPs) from molecular precursors. Polyoxometalate-stabilised nanoparticles (NPs@POM) are therefore an ideal delivery vehicle for bioactive POMs. Here we show how POM-stabilised gold NPs (AuNPs@POM) are massively internalised into Vero (kidney epithelial) and B16 (skin melanoma) cell lines with variable cytotoxic effects. Cell viability assays and quantification of cytoplasmic membrane composition revealed that the Vero cell line was unaltered by the internalisation of these hybrid particles; while their internalisation in B16 tumour cells produced mild cytotoxic effects and an antiproliferative cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 and G2/M phases. The observed perturbation of the tumour cell line combined with the high degree of internalisation means that these (or similar) NPs@POM could serve as candidates for a range of bioapplications in diagnostics or therapy.

In Vitro Study: Effect of Cobalt(II) Chloride Against Dengue Virus Type 1 in Vero Cells

“…For Vero cells incubated with polyoxometalate-stabilized gold nanoparticles for 24h was from 20-100µg/mL, approximately 93-95% was shown to be alive, 0.1-0.3% apoptotic. This data is commensurate with little or no toxicity when compared to the control sample (Gabas et al, 2016). The synthesis of metal silver nanoparticles effect to Vero cell lines was found to be 18.15µg/mL.…”

The Aquaporin-3-Inhibiting Potential of Polyoxotungstates

“…The few studies addressing the effect of POMs in melanoma, with most of them using B16 murine melanoma cells, reported a decrease in cell viability and antitumor activity [50,51], as well as impaired cellular tyrosinase activity and melanin formation [52]. More recently, encapsulated polyoxomolybdates and POTs were also studied in murine melanoma [52,53]. Selective cytotoxic tendencies were observed against murine cells causing necrotic cell death, probably due to the disruption of plasma membranes and antiproliferative cell cycle arrest in the gap (G 0 /G 1 ) and G 2 /mitosis (M) phases [53].…”

“…More recently, encapsulated polyoxomolybdates and POTs were also studied in murine melanoma [52,53]. Selective cytotoxic tendencies were observed against murine cells causing necrotic cell death, probably due to the disruption of plasma membranes and antiproliferative cell cycle arrest in the gap (G 0 /G 1 ) and G 2 /mitosis (M) phases [53]. In the present study, we firstly confirmed the highest expression level of AQP3 in a human melanoma cell line, in agreement with the human tumor phenotype.…”

Genotoxicity and acute and subchronic toxicity studies of a bioactive polyoxometalate in Wistar rats

“…In recent years, for minimizing the toxicity of POMs to normal cells, studies have indicated reduced POM toxicity through discovering of new POMs [12], such as encapsulating POMs in biomaterials (such as zeolites and biodegradable/biocompatible hydrogels) [13, 14], and conjugating POMs with organic ligands [15]. Technically, these strategies improve POMs’ biocompatibility [16], allow selective recognition of biological targets [17], and tune the bioactivity and cytotoxicity of POMs [18, 19]. Unfortunately, using POMs for therapy is still in its infancy; the most current research assesses the toxicity of POMs in vitro [12, 19, 20], rarely POM products have been evaluated for their toxic side effects in vivo.…”

“…Technically, these strategies improve POMs’ biocompatibility [16], allow selective recognition of biological targets [17], and tune the bioactivity and cytotoxicity of POMs [18, 19]. Unfortunately, using POMs for therapy is still in its infancy; the most current research assesses the toxicity of POMs in vitro [12, 19, 20], rarely POM products have been evaluated for their toxic side effects in vivo. More importantly, investigation of acute and subchronic toxicity is essential before the development of POMs for clinical trials, because of the mechanism and consequence of toxicity in vivo was different from that of in vitro.…”