title: Smart gold nanoparticles enhance killing effect on cancer cells.
abstract: The present study explored the cellular uptake dynamics, the subcellular             location and the internalization mechanisms of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and glucose-capped             GNPs (Glu-GNPs). The cancer radiotherapy-enhancing effects of GNPs were also evaluated.             We synthesized the GNPs and Glu-GNPs by the seeding technique. The effects on             cellular uptake and the radiosensitizing effect induced by GNPs and Glu-GNPs at             lower doses were investigated using two human cancer cell lines (HeLa and MCF-7).             The intracellular location of the nanoparticles was analyzed by transmission electron             microscopy (TEM). Analysis of cellular apoptosis following GNP-based radiotherapy             was performed by flow cytometry and TUNEL assay. Cancer cells took up more Glu-GNPs             than naked GNPs and the uptake curve showed size- and cell-dependent uptake. GNPs             were mainly located in the cytoplasm and endocytosis is the mechanism behind the             internalization of GNPs and Glu-GNPs. Lower doses of GNPs and Glu-GNPs still enhanced             the killing effect using X-ray irradiation, although the apoptotic rate was not             altered. The results presented in this study provide evidence that Glu-GNPs may             have a bright future in tumor-targeted diagnosis and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Gynecological Cancer                     Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong, P.R.                     China.
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yongde
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Beihua
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kong
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D006046:Gold / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D006046:Gold; D005947:Glucose