Chitosan-Modified Stable Colloidal Gold Nanostars for the Photothermolysis of Cancer Cells
Journal
Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Journal Volume
117
Journal Issue
5
Pages
2396-2410
Date Issued
2013
Author(s)
Baginskiy, Ivan
Lai, Tsung-Ching
Cheng, Liang-Chien
Chan, Yung-Chieh
Yang, Kuang-Yu
Hsiao, Michael
Chen, Chung-Hsuan
Hu, Shu-Fen
Her, Li-Jane
Tsai, Din Ping
Abstract
The preparation and properties of plasmonic gold nanostars (Au NSs) modified with a biopolymer chitosan are reported. The colloidal stability of Au NSs at the physiological pH of 7.5 and their performance in the photothermolysis of cancer cells in vitro were compared with those of gold nanorods (Au NRs). The optical characteristics of chitosan-modified Au NSs dispersed in a medium with pH = 7.5 had higher stability than those of chitosan-capped NRs because of the slower aggregation of NSs. At pH = 7.5, the chitosan-modified Au NRs formed aggregates with highly nonuniform sizes. On the other hand, Au NSs formed small chain-like clusters, in which individual NSs were connected to one another, preferably via association of branches with central cores. It is possible that the difference in areal charge density at these parts of NSs is responsible for their preferred association. Flow cytometry analysis showed the relatively nonequivalent distribution of the chitosan-capped Au NRs across the cell line compared with that of Au NSs because of the fast and nonuniform aggregation of NRs. An in-vitro photothermolysis experiment on J5 cancer cells showed that energy fluences of 23 and 33 mJ/cm2 are necessary to cause complete death of J5 cells incubated with 4 μg/mL chitosan-capped Au NSs and NRs, respectively. When chitosan was used as a surface-capping agent, the Au NSs exhibited higher colloidal stability at the physiological pH than the NRs and lower energy fluence necessary for cell photothermolysis because of more uniform cellular uptake. ? 2013 American Chemical Society.
SDGs
Other Subjects
Cancer cells; Cell lines; Cellular uptake; Central core; Chain-like cluster; Colloidal gold; Colloidal Stability; Energy fluences; Flow cytometry analysis; Gold nanorod; In-vitro; Lower energies; Optical characteristics; Photothermolysis; Physiological pH; Plasmonic; Preparation and properties; Surface capping; Cell culture; Cells; Chitosan; Laser surgery; Nanorods; pH effects; Physiology; Plasmons; Gold
Type
journal article