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Polyelectrolyte stiffness on gold nanorods mediates cell membrane damage
Nurul 'Ain Azman1, Laurent Bekale, Thanh Xuan Nguyen
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore. biekahj@nus.edu.sg.
Nanoscale
|June 25, 2020
Summary
The mechanical stability of polyelectrolyte shells on gold nanorods (AuNR-PEs) directly impacts red blood cell damage. Shell rigidity, not just surface charge, determines AuNR-PE cytotoxicity by influencing membrane rupture.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Gold nanorods (AuNRs) surface chemistry and charge are key factors in cell membrane damage.
- Research on AuNRs with polyelectrolyte (PE) shells (AuNR-PEs) has overlooked the link between ligand shell mechanical stability and cytotoxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of polyelectrolyte shell mechanical stability on the cytotoxicity of gold nanorods.
- To elucidate the mechanism of AuNR-PE induced red blood cell hemolysis.
Main Methods:
- Coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) simulations.
- Empirical hemolysis assays of red blood cells.
Main Results:
- CGMD simulations and experimental hemolysis data show a direct correlation between PE shell mechanical stability and lipid membrane rupture.
- The rigidity of PE components dictates the mechanical stability of the shell.
- PE chains adsorb to the lipid bilayer surface without penetrating the hydrophobic core, enabling direct AuNR-lipid bilayer contact and membrane perforation.
Conclusions:
- The mechanical stability of the polyelectrolyte shell is a critical determinant of gold nanorod cytotoxicity.
- PE shell rigidity governs the extent of membrane damage induced by AuNR-PEs.
- Understanding this mechanism is crucial for designing safer nanomaterials.
