ABSTRACT
@#[Abstract] Objective: To prepare GNS (gold nanostars) loading photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) and to investigate its photodynamic effects on lung cancerA549 cells. Methods: GNS was firstly modified by SH-PEG-NH2 and then mixed with Ce6 and shaken overnight to prepare GNS-PEG@Ce6, which had photodynamic therapy effects. The characterization, morphology and encapsulation rate were detected. The difference between the phagocytosis of Ce6 and GNS-PEG@Ce6 by A549 cells were observed with a Leical TCS SP8 confocal laser scanning microscope. MTT assay was used to examine the inhibitory effect of GNS-PEG@Ce6 on the proliferation of A549 cells while FCM was used to detect the effect of probe GNS-PEG@Ce6 on the apoptosis ofA549 cells. Results: The particle size of the GNS-PEG@Ce6 was about 100 nm. The prepared GNS-PEG@Ce6 nanoparticles exhibited good dispersion and stability and the encapsulation rate of Ce6 was about 50%. GNS-PEG@Ce6 entered the cells by endocytosis and mainly distributed in the cytoplasm; compared with Ce6, GNS-PEG@Ce6 could enter the cells more effectively. The proliferation-suppression effect of GNS-PEG@Ce6 on A549 cells was significantly stronger than that of Ce6 (P<0.05). The results of flow cytometry showed that the probe exhibited strong apoptotic effect on A549 cells. Conclusion: GNS, as the drug carrier, could effectively increase the Ce6 uptake efficacy in A549 cells, thus further enhancing the killing effects of Ce6 on lung cancerA549 cells.