Gold nanoprisms for photothermal cell ablation in vivo. (September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ambrosone, Alfredo; Pino, Pablo del; Marchesano, Valentina; Parak, Wolfgang J; de la Fuente, Jesus M; Tortiglione, Claudia
• Is Part Of: Nanomedicine. Volume 9:Number 13(2014)
• Page Start: 1913
• Page End: 1922
• Publication Date: 2014-09
• Subjects: gold nanoparticles -- Hydra vulgaris -- hyperthermia -- model organism -- near-infrared light -- photothermal cell ablation; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Medical technology -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Therapeutic use -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.2217/nnm.14.100
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-5889

Abstract

Aim : To develop new methodologies for selective cell ablation in a temporally and spatially precise fashion in model organisms.Materials & methods : living polyps ( Hydra vulgaris ) treated with gold nanoprisms were near-infrared (NIR) irradiated and the photothermal effects evaluated at whole-animal, cellular and molecular levels.Results : Nanoprisms showed good efficiency of internalization in living specimens, with no sign of toxicity; under NIR irradiation they induced cell death and the overexpression of the hsp70 gene.Conclusion : gold nanoprisms could be employed as efficient heat mediators in model organisms, and NIR-triggered cell ablation may represent a new advanced tool to study cell function. Solving bioethical and economical issues, invertebrates may provide alternative models bridging the gap between cell research and preclinical studies of photothermal therapy.