title: Surface functionalities of gold nanoparticles impact embryonic gene expression responses.
abstract: Incorporation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) into consumer products is increasing; however, there is a gap in available toxicological data to determine the safety of AuNPs. In this study, we utilised the embryonic zebrafish to investigate how surface functionalisation and charge influence molecular responses. Precisely engineered AuNPs with 1.5 nm cores were synthesised and functionalized with three ligands: 2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid (MES), N,N,N-trimethylammoniumethanethiol (TMAT), or 2-(2-(2-mercaptoethoxy)ethoxy)ethanol. Developmental assessments revealed differential biological responses when embryos were exposed to the functionalised AuNPs at the same concentration. Using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, AuNP uptake was confirmed in exposed embryos. Following exposure to MES- and TMAT-AuNPs from 6 to 24 or 6 to 48 h post fertilisation, pathways involved in inflammation and immune response were perturbed. Additionally, transport mechanisms were misregulated after exposure to TMAT and MES-AuNPs, demonstrating that surface functionalisation influences many molecular pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, The Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory and the Environmental Health Sciences Center at Oregon State University , Corvallis, OR 97333, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Truong
authors.forename: Susan C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Tilton
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zaikova
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Richman
authors.forename: Katrina M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hutchison
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Tanguay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000187:drug effects*; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks / Q000187:drug effects; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008623:Mercaptoethanol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000633:toxicity; D015080:Mesna / Q000633:toxicity; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D010316:Particle Size; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000633:toxicity; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000633:toxicity; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D006046:Gold; C007638:ethanethiol; D015080:Mesna