Organ-specific distribution of gold nanoparticles by their surface functionalization.

The behavior and fate of intravenously (i.v.) injected nanoparticles (NPs) can be controlled by several physicochemical factors including size, shape and surface charge. To evaluate the role of surface charge on distribution of NPs, we used neutral-charged 15-nm-sized polyethylene glycol-coated gold nanoparticles (AuNP(PEG)) as a core NP and carboxyl or amine groups were conjugated to AuNP(PEG) to generate negative (AuNP(COOH)) or positive AuNP (AuNP(NH2)), respectively. Each type of AuNP was i.v. injected into mice (1 mg kg(-1)) and the concentration of Au was measured in different organs at 30 min, 4, 24 h, 7, 14 days, 1, 3 and 6 months post-injection. The organ distribution also showed the higher deposition rate depending on their functional groups: AuNP(PEG) for mesenteric lymph node, kidney, brain and testis; AuNP(COOH) for liver; AuNP(NH2) for spleen, lung and heart. The blood circulation time and the major excretion route were different depending on their functional groups. In conclusion, functional groups conjugated on the surface of AuNPs produce differences in blood kinetics, organ distribution and elimination pattern which can be important information for directing NPs to specific organs or improving the kinetic properties.

Determination of adsorption affinity of nanoparticles for interleukin-8 secreted from A549 cells by in vitro cell-free and cell-based assays.

The evaluation of the potential of nanoparticles (NP) for adsorbing biomolecules and use of control approaches are important for accurate presentation of in vitro analytical data. In this study, seven types of NP including carbon black (CB), cerium dioxide (CeO2), copper oxide (CuO), indium trioxide (In2O3), nickel oxide (NiO), silicon dioxide (SiO2), and titanium dioxide (TiO2) were used for determining the adsorption ability of interleukin-8 (IL-8) under either (1) a cell-free condition where NP were incubated with supernatant of A549 cells, or (2) a cell-based condition, where cells were treated with NP. Under the cell-free condition, CB and TiO2 NP showed a high adsorption affinity for IL-8 in supernatants of both lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated and unstimulated A549 cells. In contrast, SiO2 and In2O3 NP displayed a relatively low adsorption affinity. Further, IL-8 adsorption was markedly reduced when NP were predispersed in fetal bovine serum. The results obtained under cell-based conditions using both stimulated and unstimulated cells were consistent with those of the cell-free condition. Data indicate that adsorption of IL-8 onto NP surface is variable depending on type of NP, preparation method of NP, and cellular inflammatory state. Thus, the cell-free adsorption assay may be utilized for reliable interpretation of data produced by in vitro cell-based methodology.