Photothermal Therapeutic Response of Cancer Cells to Aptamer–Gold Nanoparticle-Hybridized Graphene Oxide under NIR Illumination

Abstract

The objective of this study was to synthesize a nanocomposite, aptamer-gold nanoparticle-hybridized graphene oxide (Apt-AuNP-GO), to facilitate targeted treatment of tumor cells by near-infrared (NIR) light-activatable photothermal therapy. We also investigated whether Apt-AuNP-GO with NIR illumination modulates heat shock proteins (HSPs) expression leading to therapeutic response in human breast cancer cells. These findings can provide strategies for improving the photothermal therapy efficacy of cancer. The self-assembled Apt-AuNP-GO nanocomposite could selectively target MUC1-positive human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) due to the specific interaction between the MUC1-binding-aptamer and the MUC1 (type I transmembrane mucin glycoprotein) on cell membrane. In addition, Apt-AuNP-GO has a high light-to-heat conversion capability for photoabsorption of NIR light, and it is able to exert therapeutic effects on MCF-7 cells at an ultralow concentration without inducing adverse effects in healthy cells. The Apt-AuNP-GO nanocomposites combine the advantages of GOs, AuNPs, and Apts, possess specific targeting capability, excellent biocompatibility, and tumor cell destruction ability, suggesting great potential for application in the photothermal therapy of breast cancer. Under NIR illumination, Apt-AuNP-GO induced transient increase in HSP70 expression, which decreased thereafter. This phenomenon may cause irreversible damage to Apt-AuNP-GO-treated MCF-7 cell under NIR illumination. We also demonstrated that the combination therapy of heat and HSP70 inhibitor could synergistically generate marked tumoricidal effects against breast cancer. These results suggest that the degree and duration of HSP70 protein expression are correlated with therapeutic effects against breast cancer for Apt-AuNP-GO-assisted photothermal therapy. We believe that such a nanocomposite can be readily extended to the construction of HSP70 inhibitors-loaded Apt-AuNP-GO, which could deliver both heat and HSP70 inhibitors to tumorigenic regions for the chemo-photothermal therapy.

Photocatalytic activity and NIR laser response of polyaniline conjugated graphene nanocomposite prepared by a novel acid-less method

“…Recently, the photothermal therapy (PTT) method has been introduced as a valuable and increasingly recognized alternative in medical cancer treatments [21–24]. The method uses near-infrared (NIR) laser light to generated heat and destroy tumor cells in vivo .…”

MicroRNA-Responsive Cancer Cell Imaging and Therapy with Functionalized Gold Nanoprobe

“…30,31 A series of metal nanocages, 32,33 hollow nanospheres, 34,35 nanorods, 36−38 and nanocomposites 39,40 are successfully applied as efficient photothermal reagents in therapy and imaging of cancers. 41 For example, the peptide functionalized gold nanorod probe was developed for visualization of matrix metalloprotease activity and photothermal therapy of cancer.…”

Graphene-Based Nanomaterials for Theranostic Applications

“…85 An aptamergold nanoparticle-hybridized graphene oxide nanocomposite was developed by Yang et al for targeted photothermal destruction of MCF-7 cells. 86 MCF-7 cells showed increased cellular uptake of the nanocomposites via speci¯c interaction between MUC-1-binding aptamer and MUC-1 that are present on the cell membrane of MCF-7 cells. In the presence of NIR irradiation, the nanocomposites exhibited excellent photothermal ablation activity at very low concentrations.…”