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Nature vs. nurture: gold perpetuates "stemness".
Willi Paul1, Chandra P Sharma, Kaushik Dilip Deb
1Division of Biosurface Technology, Biomedical Technology Wing Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Thiruvananthapuram 695012, India.
Journal of Stem Cells
|April 5, 2013
Summary
Gold nanoparticles enhance stemness and pluripotency in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). This ancient medicine discovery improves self-renewal and proliferation, offering new avenues for regenerative medicine research.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Nanotechnology
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Adult tissues harbor somatic and embryonic-like stem cells (ELSCs) with regenerative potential.
- Gold has a long history in medicine, attributed with regenerative properties.
- Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) serve as a model for studying stemness and pluripotency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of gold nanoparticles on enhancing stemness and pluripotency in hESCs.
- To determine if gold microparticles and nanoparticles can improve stem cell self-renewal and proliferation.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying gold's impact on stem cell behavior.
Main Methods:
- Utilized hESCs as an in-vitro model system.
- Administered Swarna-bhasma (SB), a gold microparticle preparation (41.1 nm), and colloidal gold nanoparticles (GNP) (15.59 nm).
- Assessed stemness, pluripotency, proliferation, karyotypic stability, and gene expression (FGFR1, IGF2, IGF1).
Main Results:
- SB and GNP exposure maintained stemness and karyotypic stability in hESCs.
- Enhanced pluripotency and proliferation were observed, with increased average colony sizes.
- Particulate gold upregulated FGFR1 and IGF2 expression while decreasing IGF1 secretion, suggesting an IGF1/2 mediated mechanism.
Conclusions:
- Nanoparticulate gold, including Swarna-bhasma, effectively enhances the pluripotency and self-renewal of hESCs.
- Gold's effects appear to be mediated by the IGF1/2 signaling pathway.
- These findings support the potential of gold nanoparticles in regenerative medicine and stem cell research.
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