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Translating Gold Nanoparticles to Diagnostics and Therapeutics 2.0
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Translating Gold Nanoparticles to Diagnostics and Therapeutics 2.0

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2019) | Viewed by 36622

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Pedro Viana Baptista

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
UCIBIO, Department of Life Sciences, Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Interests: anomedicine; application of DNA/RNA systems for nanobiotechnology; biosensing; molecular diagnostics and therapeutics; advanced drug delivery systems; gene silencing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Due to their distinctive physical-chemical properties, gold nanoparticles are amongst the most widely-used nanoscale platforms for (molecular) diagnostics and therapeutics. The chemical stability and apparent lack of toxicity of gold nanoparticles and their biomolecular conjugates have been proposed for wide application in therapeutics, imaging modalities, and vectorization strategies for molecular modulators such as gene silencing, drug delivery, specific targeting of cellular pathways, etc. Because of their common molecular ground, these approaches have been synergistically coupled together into molecular theranostics systems that allow for radical new in vivo diagnostics modalities with simultaneous tackling of molecular disequilibria leading to disease. We have now reached the moment to evaluate this tremendous potential, that is, how gold nanoparticle-based systems have been making their way to the clinics. From the plethora of conceptual proposals, only a few make it through effective evaluation in the clinical setting. Current trends and the optimization of gold nanoparticle-based platforms for diagnostics and therapeutics towards effective translation to the clinical setting will be the focus of our Special Issue.

Prof. Pedro Viana Baptista
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • gold nanoparticles
  • biosensor
  • DNA/RNA
  • point of care
  • molecular diagnostics
  • drug delivery
  • imaging
  • clinical applications

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 13075 KiB  
Article
Developing Gold Nanoparticles-Conjugated Aflatoxin B1 Antifungal Strips
by Tobiloba Sojinrin, Kangze Liu, Kan Wang, Daxiang Cui, Hugh J. Byrne, James F. Curtin and Furong Tian
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(24), 6260; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20246260 - 12 Dec 2019
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4388
Abstract
Lateral flow immunochromatographic assays are a powerful diagnostic tool for point-of-care tests, based on their simplicity, specificity, and sensitivity. In this study, a rapid and sensitive gold nanoparticle (AuNP) immunochromatographic strip is produced for detecting aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in suspicious fungi-contaminated food samples. [...] Read more.
Lateral flow immunochromatographic assays are a powerful diagnostic tool for point-of-care tests, based on their simplicity, specificity, and sensitivity. In this study, a rapid and sensitive gold nanoparticle (AuNP) immunochromatographic strip is produced for detecting aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in suspicious fungi-contaminated food samples. The 10 nm AuNPs were encompassed by bovine serum albumin (BSA) and AFB1 antibody. Thin-layer chromatography, gel electrophoresis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were employed for analysing the chemical complexes. Various concentrations of AFB1 antigen (0–16 ng/mL) were tested with AFB1 antibody–BSA–AuNPs (conjugated AuNPs) and then analysed by scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and Zetasizer. The results showed that the AFB1 antibody was coupled to BSA by the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester method. The AuNPs application has the potential to contribute to AFB1 detection by monitoring a visible colour change from red to purple-blue, with a detection limit of 2 ng/mL in a 96-well plate. The lateral flow immunochromatographic strip tests are rapid, taking less than 10 min., and they have a detection capacity of 10 ng/g. The smartphone analysis of strips provided the results in 3 s, with a detection limit of 0.3 ng/g for AFB1 when the concentration was below 10 ng/g. Excellent agreement was found with AFB1 determination by high-performance liquid chromatography in the determination of AFB1 among 20 samples of peanuts, corn, rice, and bread. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translating Gold Nanoparticles to Diagnostics and Therapeutics 2.0)
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17 pages, 3834 KiB  
Article
Targeting Cancer Resistance via Multifunctional Gold Nanoparticles
by Pedro Pedrosa, M. Luísa Corvo, Margarida Ferreira-Silva, Pedro Martins, Manuela Colla Carvalheiro, Pedro M. Costa, Carla Martins, L. M. D. R. S. Martins, Pedro V. Baptista and Alexandra R. Fernandes
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(21), 5510; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20215510 - 5 Nov 2019
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 4574
Abstract
Resistance to chemotherapy is a major problem facing current cancer therapy, which is continuously aiming at the development of new compounds that are capable of tackling tumors that developed resistance toward common chemotherapeutic agents, such as doxorubicin (DOX). Alongside the development of new [...] Read more.
Resistance to chemotherapy is a major problem facing current cancer therapy, which is continuously aiming at the development of new compounds that are capable of tackling tumors that developed resistance toward common chemotherapeutic agents, such as doxorubicin (DOX). Alongside the development of new generations of compounds, nanotechnology-based delivery strategies can significantly improve the in vivo drug stability and target specificity for overcoming drug resistance. In this study, multifunctional gold nanoparticles (AuNP) have been used as a nanoplatform for the targeted delivery of an original anticancer agent, a Zn(II) coordination compound [Zn(DION)2]Cl2 (ZnD), toward better efficacy against DOX-resistant colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT116 DR). Selective delivery of the ZnD nanosystem to cancer cells was achieved by active targeting via cetuximab, NanoZnD, which significantly inhibited cell proliferation and triggered the death of resistant tumor cells, thus improving efficacy. In vivo studies in a colorectal DOX-resistant model corroborated the capability of NanoZnD for the selective targeting of cancer cells, leading to a reduction of tumor growth without systemic toxicity. This approach highlights the potential of gold nanoformulations for the targeting of drug-resistant cancer cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translating Gold Nanoparticles to Diagnostics and Therapeutics 2.0)
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14 pages, 2424 KiB  
Article
Parameters for Optoperforation-Induced Killing of Cancer Cells Using Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized With the C-terminal Fragment of Clostridium Perfringens Enterotoxin
by Annegret Becker, Tina Lehrich, Stefan Kalies, Alexander Heisterkamp and Anaclet Ngezahayo
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(17), 4248; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20174248 - 30 Aug 2019
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3442
Abstract
Recently, we used a recombinant produced C-terminus (D194-F319) of the Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (C-CPE) to functionalize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for a subsequent specific killing of claudin expressing tumor cells using the gold nanoparticle-mediated laser perforation (GNOME-LP) technique. For a future in vivo application, [...] Read more.
Recently, we used a recombinant produced C-terminus (D194-F319) of the Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (C-CPE) to functionalize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for a subsequent specific killing of claudin expressing tumor cells using the gold nanoparticle-mediated laser perforation (GNOME-LP) technique. For a future in vivo application, it will be crucial to know the physical parameters and the biological mechanisms inducing cell death for a rational adaptation of the system to real time situation. Regarding the AuNP functionalization, we observed that a relationship of 2.5 × 10−11 AuNP/mL to 20 µg/mL C-CPE maximized the killing efficiency. Regardingphysical parameters, a laser fluence up to 30 mJ/cm2 increased the killing efficiency. Independent from the applied laser fluence, the maximal killing efficiency was achieved at a scanning velocity of 5 mm/s. In 3D matrigel culture system, the GNOME-LP/C-CPE-AuNP completely destroyed spheroids composed of Caco-2 cells and reduced OE-33 cell spheroid formation. At the biology level, GNOME-LP/C-CPE-AuNP-treated cells bound annexin V and showed reduced mitochondria activity. However, an increased caspase-3/7 activity in the cells was not found. Similarly, DNA analysis revealed no apoptosis-related DNA ladder. The results suggest that the GNOME-LP/C-CPE-AuNP treatment induced necrotic than apoptotic reaction in tumor cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translating Gold Nanoparticles to Diagnostics and Therapeutics 2.0)
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Review

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14 pages, 1142 KiB  
Review
Enhancing Breast Cancer Treatment Using a Combination of Cannabidiol and Gold Nanoparticles for Photodynamic Therapy
by Dimakatso R. Mokoena, Blassan P. George and Heidi Abrahamse
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(19), 4771; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20194771 - 26 Sep 2019
Cited by 67 | Viewed by 9443
Abstract
Indisputably, cancer is a global crisis that requires immediate intervention. Despite the use of conventional treatments over the past decades, it is acceptable to admit that these are expensive, invasive, associated with many side effects and, therefore, a reduced quality of life. One [...] Read more.
Indisputably, cancer is a global crisis that requires immediate intervention. Despite the use of conventional treatments over the past decades, it is acceptable to admit that these are expensive, invasive, associated with many side effects and, therefore, a reduced quality of life. One of the most possible solutions to this could be the use of gold nanoparticle (AuNP) conjugated photodynamic therapy (PDT) in combination with cannabidiol (CBD), a Cannabis derivative from the Cannabis sativa. Since the use of Cannabis has always been associated with recreation and psychoactive qualities, the positive effects of Cannabis or its derivatives on cancer treatment have been misunderstood and hence misinterpreted. On the other hand, AuNP-PDT is the most favoured form of treatment for cancer, due to its augmented specificity and minimal risk of side effects compared to conventional treatments. However, its use requires the consideration of several physical, biologic, pharmacologic and immunological factors, which may hinder its effectiveness if not taken into consideration. In this review, the role of gold nanoparticle mediated PDT combined with CBD treatment on breast cancer cells will be deliberated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translating Gold Nanoparticles to Diagnostics and Therapeutics 2.0)
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23 pages, 4717 KiB  
Review
Optical Diagnostic Based on Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles
by Jiemei Ou, Zidan Zhou, Zhong Chen and Huijun Tan
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(18), 4346; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20184346 - 5 Sep 2019
Cited by 45 | Viewed by 7281
Abstract
Au nanoparticles (NPs) possess unique physicochemical and optical properties, showing great potential in biomedical applications. Diagnostic spectroscopy utilizing varied Au NPs has become a precision tool of in vitro and in vivo diagnostic for cancer and other specific diseases. In this review, we [...] Read more.
Au nanoparticles (NPs) possess unique physicochemical and optical properties, showing great potential in biomedical applications. Diagnostic spectroscopy utilizing varied Au NPs has become a precision tool of in vitro and in vivo diagnostic for cancer and other specific diseases. In this review, we tried to comprehensively introduce the remarkable optical properties of Au NPs, including localized surfaces plasmon resonance (LSPR), surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), and metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF). Then, we highlighted the excellent works using Au NPs for optical diagnostic applications. Ultimately, the challenges and future perspective of using Au NPs for optical diagnostic were discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translating Gold Nanoparticles to Diagnostics and Therapeutics 2.0)
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17 pages, 3672 KiB  
Review
Antimicrobial Gold Nanoclusters: Recent Developments and Future Perspectives
by Sibidou Yougbare, Ting-Kuang Chang, Shih-Hua Tan, Jui-Chi Kuo, Po-Hsuan Hsu, Chen-Yen Su and Tsung-Rong Kuo
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(12), 2924; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20122924 - 14 Jun 2019
Cited by 112 | Viewed by 6755
Abstract
Bacterial infections have caused serious threats to public health due to the antimicrobial resistance in bacteria. Recently, gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have been extensively investigated for biomedical applications because of their superior structural and optical properties. Great efforts have demonstrated that AuNCs conjugated with [...] Read more.
Bacterial infections have caused serious threats to public health due to the antimicrobial resistance in bacteria. Recently, gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have been extensively investigated for biomedical applications because of their superior structural and optical properties. Great efforts have demonstrated that AuNCs conjugated with various surface ligands are promising antimicrobial agents owing to their high biocompatibility, polyvalent effect, easy modification and photothermal stability. In this review, we have highlighted the recent achievements for the utilizations of AuNCs as the antimicrobial agents. We have classified the antimicrobial AuNCs by their surface ligands including small molecules (<900 Daltons) and macromolecules (>900 Daltons). Moreover, the antimicrobial activities and mechanisms of AuNCs have been introduced into two main categories of small molecules and macromolecules, respectively. In accordance with the advancements of antimicrobial AuNCs, we further provided conclusions of current challenges and recommendations of future perspectives of antimicrobial AuNCs for fundamental researches and clinical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translating Gold Nanoparticles to Diagnostics and Therapeutics 2.0)
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