Cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of lysozyme-stabilized gold nanoparticles

The particle size and surface properties of gold nanoparticles are critical factors for the interactions between nanoparticles and cells. To produce noncytotoxic gold nanoparticles, a straightforward method for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles designed involving the reduction and stabilization by a protein such as a lysozyme in conjunction with microwave irradiation. The cooperative combination of a lysozyme with a high affinity for metal ions and the microwave irradiation allowed to form biocompatible gold nanoparticles in an aqueous system. In addition, the cell toxicity and the cellular uptake pathways of the gold nanoparticles synthesized against mouse embryonic fibroblast NIH-3T3 cells were studied and found to be taken up by receptor-mediated endocytosis. In addition, the lysozyme-stabilized gold nanoparticles are accumulated in the cytoplasm as well as the nucleus without any significant cytotoxicity.