title: Gold nanoparticle-enhanced photodynamic therapy: effects of surface charge and mitochondrial targeting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors aimed to further improve the efficiency and selectivity of gold nanoparticle (Au NP)-assisted photodynamic therapy by modulating the surface charge of Au NPs and delivering Au NPs particularly to mitochondria of breast cancer cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Solid gold nanospheres (˜50 nm) with negative and positive surface charge were synthesized respectively, and mitochondria-targeting Au NPs were prepared by conjugating with triphenylphosphonium molecules.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Positively charged Au NPs were preferably taken up by breast cancer cells. Combination of positive surface charge with mitochondria-targeting domain onto Au NPs allowed their accumulation in the mitochondria of breast cancer cells to significantly elevate reactive oxygen species formation in 5-aminolevulinic-acid-enabled photodynamic therapy and improve selective destruction of breast cancer cells.
authors: Department of Chemistry, Chemical Biology & Biomedical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA.
authors: Yamin
authors: Y
authors: Yang
authors: Ning
authors: N
authors: Gao
authors: Yue
authors: Y
authors: Hu
authors: Chao
authors: C
authors: Jia
authors: Tsengming
authors: T
authors: Chou
authors: Henry
authors: H
authors: Du
authors: Hongjun
authors: H
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006046:Gold / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D006046:Gold