The genotoxic effect of gold nanoparticles in cultured human cells
Abstract
Gold nanoparticles are ultrafine particles which are being used diversely in the medical
field. Despite their versatility, the toxicity research which has been conducted on these
particles is incredibly limited as well as contradictory.
The aim of this study was to determine the genotoxicity of gold nanoparticles on human
hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. This was done by first synthesizing spherical
gold particles; functionalizing, characterizing and then testing their stability in conditions
similar to cellular environments. Once this was done the gold particles were then added
to the cultured HepG2 cells and cytotoxicity was determined by the WST-1 assay and
xCELLigence technology. The ApoPercentage assay was used in order to determine
the cell death mechanism as a result of the gold particles and inductively coupled
plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine their internalization. The
genotoxicity caused as a result of the gold particles was analyzed by the use of an
alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis.
The results obtained indicated that 18nm spherical gold nanoparticles were successfully
synthesized and functionalized. The particles were stable in cellular environments
except for thiol interactions and phosphate buffered saline. Cytotoxicity was evident
however the cells did recover. Some of the gold nanoparticles did induce genotoxicity
however the cells were able to repair the damage with the exception of the cells
exposed to gold nanoparticles functionalized with mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA)