RTK - Targeting of Gold Nanoparticles to Breast Cancer Cells

School Name

South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Cell and Molecular Biology

Presentation Type

Mentored

Abstract

This research focused on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and their effects on cancer cells. Specific questions were which sizes and constructs of AuNPs are most effective in breast cancer cell treatment. Different AuNP constructs were synthesized and used to treat breast cancer cells. This is significant for determining AuNP efficiency in cell treatment. Fibroblast-Growth-Factor (FGF) and Epidermal-Growth-Factor (EGF) peptides were used to target 4 and 7 nm AuNPs. Six AuNP constructs were made: EGF, FGF, and EGF + FGF targeted AuNPs for both sizes. Cap exchange on citrate AuNPs with Carboxy-PEG-Thiol was done to attach the specific peptides. Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrometer (UV-Vis) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) characterizations were performed on the AuNPs, confirming their qualities for experimental use. These constructs, along with the untargeted AuNP and a media-only control, were used to treat breast cancer cells in triplicates for 24 and 72-hour incubation periods. MTT cell viability assays were performed, indicating mitochondrial activity; results showed that untargeted (UT) and EGF 4 nm constructs showed growth stimulation. For 72-hours, EGF and FGF showed significant cell killing and combining EGF and FGF generally reduced cytotoxicity. We concluded that 4 nm AuNPs have significantly more binding potential to cancer cells and therefore killing potential due to their increased surface area, ligands, and binding peptides. Moreover, 4 nm stimulates growth at 24 hours, but showed significant cell death at 72-hours, especially when targeted with FGF. These results show the impacts of AuNPs differing in size and peptides, indicating their potential uses in cancer cell therapeutics.

Location

Furman Hall 107

Start Date

3-28-2020 2:45 PM

Presentation Format

Oral Only

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 28th, 2:45 PM

RTK - Targeting of Gold Nanoparticles to Breast Cancer Cells

Furman Hall 107

This research focused on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and their effects on cancer cells. Specific questions were which sizes and constructs of AuNPs are most effective in breast cancer cell treatment. Different AuNP constructs were synthesized and used to treat breast cancer cells. This is significant for determining AuNP efficiency in cell treatment. Fibroblast-Growth-Factor (FGF) and Epidermal-Growth-Factor (EGF) peptides were used to target 4 and 7 nm AuNPs. Six AuNP constructs were made: EGF, FGF, and EGF + FGF targeted AuNPs for both sizes. Cap exchange on citrate AuNPs with Carboxy-PEG-Thiol was done to attach the specific peptides. Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrometer (UV-Vis) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) characterizations were performed on the AuNPs, confirming their qualities for experimental use. These constructs, along with the untargeted AuNP and a media-only control, were used to treat breast cancer cells in triplicates for 24 and 72-hour incubation periods. MTT cell viability assays were performed, indicating mitochondrial activity; results showed that untargeted (UT) and EGF 4 nm constructs showed growth stimulation. For 72-hours, EGF and FGF showed significant cell killing and combining EGF and FGF generally reduced cytotoxicity. We concluded that 4 nm AuNPs have significantly more binding potential to cancer cells and therefore killing potential due to their increased surface area, ligands, and binding peptides. Moreover, 4 nm stimulates growth at 24 hours, but showed significant cell death at 72-hours, especially when targeted with FGF. These results show the impacts of AuNPs differing in size and peptides, indicating their potential uses in cancer cell therapeutics.