Aggregation of gold nanoparticles followed by methotrexate release enables Raman imaging of drug delivery into cancer cells
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Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
JOURNAL OF NANOPARTICLE RESEARCH
Abstract
This study refers an aqueous synthesis of methotrexate (MTX)-conjugated gold nanoparticles (GNPs), their interaction with HepG2 cells, and the use of Raman imaging to observe cellular internalization and drug delivery. GNPs of average size 3.5-5 nm were stabilized using the amine terminated bifunctional biocompatible copolymer and amended by conjugating MTX, an anticancer drug. The nanoparticles were released MTX at a faster rate in acidic pH and subsequently found to form aggregates. The Raman signals of cellular components were found to be enhanced by the aggregated particles enabling the mapping to visualize site-specific drug delivery. The methodology seems to have potential in optimizing the characteristics of nanodrug carriers for emptying the cargo precisely at specified sites.
Description
Keywords
Chemistry; Science & Technology - Other Topics; Materials Science
Citation
14 ,9;-