title: Selective targeting of gold nanorods at the mitochondria of cancer cells: implications for cancer therapy.
abstract: We have observed that Au nanorods (NRs) have distinct effects on cell viability via killing cancer cells while posing negligible impact on normal cells and mesenchymal stem cells. Obvious differences in cellular uptake, intracellular trafficking, and susceptibility of lysosome to Au NRs by different types of cells resulted in selective accumulation of Au NRs in the mitochondria of cancer cells. Their long-term retention decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased reactive oxygen species level that enhances the likelihood of cell death. These findings thus provide guidance for the design of organelle-targeted nanomaterials in tumor therapy.
authors.affiliation: CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Liming
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiumei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Yinglu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Xiaochun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ligeng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Taotao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Yufeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yuliang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Chunying
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006046:Gold / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006046:Gold