Sialic acid surface decoration enhances cellular uptake and apoptosis-inducing activity of selenium nanoparticles

A simple method for fabrication of sialic acid surface-decorated selenium nanoparticles (SA-Se-NPs) with enhanced cancer-targeting and cell-penetrating abilities has been demonstrated in the present study. Monodisperse and homogeneous spherical SA-Se-NPs with striking stability were prepared under the optimized conditions. SA surface decoration significantly increased the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of Se-NPs in HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells. Treatments of SA-Se-NPs induced dose-dependent apoptosis in HeLa cells, as evidenced by increase in sub-G1 cell populations, nuclear condensation and formation of apoptotic bodies. Further investigation on molecular mechanisms reveals that SA-Se-NPs triggered cancer cell apoptosis through activation of caspase-3 and subsequent cleavage of PARP.