title: The selective growth inhibition of oral cancer by iron core-gold shell nanoparticles through mitochondria-mediated autophagy.
abstract: Nanoparticles with an iron core and gold shell (denoted "Fe@AuÓ") have been reported to limit cancer-cell proliferation and therefore have been proposed as a potential anti-cancer agent. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. In this study, we used flow cytometry, confocal fluorescence microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy to analyse the morphological and functional alterations of mitochondria in cancerous cells and healthy cells when treated with Fe@Au. It was found that Fe@Au caused an irreversible membrane-potential loss in the mitochondria of cancer cells, but only a transitory decrease in membrane potential in healthy control cells. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed; however, additions of common ROS scavengers were unable to protect cancerous cells from the Fe@Au-induced cytotoxicity. Furthermore, iron elements, before oxidation, triggered mitochondria-mediated autophagy was shown to be the key factor responsible for the differential cytotoxicity observed between cancerous and healthy cells.
authors: Australian Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. yana.wu@sydney.edu.au
authors: Ya-Na
authors: YN
authors: Wu
authors: Li-Xing
authors: LX
authors: Yang
authors: Xuan-Yu
authors: XY
authors: Shi
authors: I-Chen
authors: IC
authors: Li
authors: Joanna M
authors: JM
authors: Biazik
authors: Kyle R
authors: KR
authors: Ratinac
authors: Dong-Hwang
authors: DH
authors: Chen
authors: Pall
authors: P
authors: Thordarson
authors: Dar-Bin
authors: DB
authors: Shieh
authors: Filip
authors: F
authors: Braet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008422:Materials Testing; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D006046:Gold; D007501:Iron