AuNP-PhotoBioDrug · Functionalized AuNPs and their use for biological applications
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2015-05-13 → 2017-05-12
- EU contribution
- €183,455
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
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Results in brief
Functionalized AuNPs and their use for biological applications
The design of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and exploration of their physical and chemical properties is a topic of high interest due to their extensive use in biomedicine and new technologies. The biological function of AuNPs depends on their size, shape and surface charge and functionalisation, etc. Their reactivity in solution and within a biological media can be modified due to the interaction of biomolecules (proteins, etc.) to their surface. In connection to this, the reactivity of AuNPs in solution cannot be directly extrapolated to that of the intracellular media because after interaction in a living milieu the nanoparticle surface is instantaneously coated by proteins, generating the well-known protein corona (PC). This is a key process because PC can modify the biological reactivity of AuNPs and the function of proteins, generating in some cases adverse effects such as cytotoxicity. However, functionalisation of AuNPs with suitable ligands such as drugs, PEG, etc., may help to decrease or even eliminate the undesired side effects and to enhance the biological function, delivery and targeting of the nanomaterial. Thus, a better understanding on the parameters affecting the formation and stability of PC may clearly help in the design of new nanomaterials with enhanced biological function and safety. Moreover, it would be of potential interest to predict the photobehaviour of AuNPs before introducing them in a living cell. The general aim of this project is the design and functionalisation of AuNPs with anti-inflammatory 2-arylpropionic acid drugs and study their photoreactivity in different environments. As the physical and chemical properties of either the nanoparticle or the drug may change after interaction, we have investigated how they vary according to different parameters such as NP-drug distance by using spacers of different length between the drug and the nanoparticle surface; besides, we have also designed NPs of different size and shape. Their photoreactivity have been investigated in different media: solvents, presence of proteins, etc. Spectroscopic techniques such as UV, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence, and laser flash photolysis have been employed. Finally, intracellular studies using SK-Br3 human breast cancer cells as well as non-carcinogenic MCF-10A human breast cells have been performed with the aim of characterising the cytotoxicity of the nanomaterials.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The development of gold nanostructures is a topic of high interest due to their extensive use in biomedical applications, biosensing and bioimaging because of their specific properties: high stability, ease of detection, facile synthesis and functionalization, etc. It would be of potential interest to predict the photobehaviour of AuNPs before introducing them in a biological environment. In this respect, when NPs interact in a living milieu, proteins will adsorb onto its surface generating a protein corona; this may provoke changes in the biological function of the protein and in the photophysical properties of the AuNP; thus, the photophysical behaviour of AuNPs in solution cannot be directly extrapolated to the biological media. These effects have been barely investigated up to now. The design of new gold nanoparticles whose photophysical behaviour can be extrapolated in a greater degree to a biological environment is of potential interest for in vivo applications due to the fact that their photobehaviour would be predictable within cells. Functionalization of AuNPs with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory 2-arylpropionic drugs is proposed. These drugs are widely prescribed and are able to generate cytotoxic singlet oxygen, which induces cell tumour death. Their photophysical properties have been well characterised in solution. However, to the best of our knowledge, functionalization of AuNPs with drugs of this family has never been performed. The photophysical properties of the new nanomaterials will be studied in different microenvironments that tend to mimic cellular milieus, such as micellar or microemulsion media. Investigation of their photobehaviour in the presence of proteins is also planned. Finally, studies in an intracellular environment and in vivo will also be performed in order to check the potential application of the new conjugates as biosensors or photodynamic therapy agents.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA · NorwichCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union