<p>Gold nanoparticle uptake is enhanced by estradiol in MCF-7 breast cancer cells</p>

Abstract

Purpose: In the present study, we investigated the effects of 17β-estradiol (E 2 ) on membrane roughness and gold nanoparticle (AuNP) uptake in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Methods: Estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells (MCF-7) were exposed to bare 20 nm AuNPs in the presence and absence of 1×10 −9 M E 2 for different time intervals for up to 24 hrs. The effects of AuNP incorporation and E 2 incubation on the MCF-7 cell surface roughness were measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Endocytic vesicle formation was studied using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Finally, the results were confirmed by hyperspectral optical microscopy. Results: High-resolution AFM images of the surfaces of MCF-7 membranes (up to 250 nm 2 ) were obtained. The incubation of cells for 12 hrs with AuNP and E 2 increased the cell membrane roughness by 95% and 30% compared with the groups treated with vehicle (ethanol) or AuNPs only, respectively. This effect was blocked by an ER antagonist (7α,17β-[9-[(4,4,5,5,5-Pentafluoropentyl)sulfinyl]nonyl]estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17-diol [ICI] 182,780). Higher amounts of AuNPs were localized inside MCF-7 cells around the nucleus, even after 6 hrs of E 2 incubation, compared with vehicle-treated cells. Endolysosome formation was induced by E 2 , which may be associated with an increase in AuNP-uptake. Conclusions: E 2 enhances AuNP incorporation in MCF-7 cells by modulating of plasma membrane roughness and inducing lysosomal endocytosis. These findings provide new insights into combined nanotherapies and hormone therapies for breast cancer.

Comparative effect of thermo/pH-responsive polymer-coated gold nanocages and hollow nanostars on chemo-photothermal therapy of breast cancer cells

“…The physicochemical properties of nanostructures could influence cellular uptake (Jiang 2015;Lara-Cruz 2019;Dykman and Khlebtsov 2014). In PTT, the higher cell uptake of GNSs (as heat transducers), the higher chance of transduction of photon energy into heat.…”

Tailored Gold Nanoparticles for Cancer Imaging and Therapy

“…Passive targeting takes advantage of the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect observed in tumors to increase the concentration of AuNPs. The second process involves the selective molecular recognition of antigens that are expressed on the surfaces of cancer cells to localize AuNPs to malignant cells or the exploitation of the membrane properties associated with malignancy [10,11]. Typically, AuNPs are defined as particles of 1-100 nm in size, which is in the subwavelength regime of visible light [12,13].…”

Novel gold nanoparticle-protein-semiconductor quantum dot hybrid system: synthesis, characterization and application in cancer cell imaging

“…[5][6][7][8].This is due to their unique optical properties, chemical stability, easy synthesis and functionalization, potential biocompatibility, size and surface-dependent properties etc. [9,10]. Moreover, Au NPs do not show cytotoxic effect or severe damage on normal cells even when administered orally for a specific period of time [11].…”