title: Pegylated gold nanoparticles induce apoptosis in human chronic myeloid leukemia cells.
abstract: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have several potential biological applications as well as excellent biocompatibility. AuNPs with surface modification using polyethylene glycol (PEG-AuNPs) can facilitate easy conjugation with various biological molecules of interest. To examine the anticancer bioactivity of PEG-AuNPs, we investigated their effect on human chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells. The results indicated that PEG-AuNPs markedly inhibited the viability and impaired the cell membrane integrity of K562 cells. The particles caused morphological changes typical of cell death, and a marked increase in the sub-G1 population in DNA histogram, indicating apoptosis. In addition, PEG-AuNPs reduced the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, a hallmark of the involvement of intrinsic apoptotic pathway in K562 cells. Observation of ultrastructure under a transmission electron microscope revealed that the internalized PEG-AuNPs were distributed into cytoplasmic vacuoles and damaged mitochondria, and subsequently accumulated in areas surrounding the nuclear membrane. In conclusion, PEG-AuNPs may have the potential to inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in human chronic myeloid leukemia cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan ; School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Chuen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yuh-Cheng
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kai-Chien
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hui-Ru
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Shieh
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tao-Yeuan
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Section 2, Taipei 115, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yeukuang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hwu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, 92 Chung San North Road, Section 2, Taipei 104, Taiwan ; Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Jen
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9794-8938
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006046:Gold / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D020014:K562 Cells; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D058726:Nanoconjugates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010316:Particle Size; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D053769:Nanocapsules; D058726:Nanoconjugates; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D006046:Gold