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Updated: Aug 10, 2025
Preparation and Photoacoustic Analysis of Cellular Vehicles Containing Gold Nanorods
Published on: May 2, 2016
Laser Ablated Albumin Functionalized Spherical Gold Nanoparticles Indicated for Stem Cell Tracking
Dilcele Silva Moreira Dziedzic1, Bassam Felipe Mogharbel1, Ana Carolina Irioda1
1Advanced Therapy and Cellular Biotechnology in Regenerative Medicine Department, The Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute, Child and Adolescent Health Research & Pequeno Príncipe Faculties, Curitiba 80230-901, PR, Brazil.
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) show promise for cell tracking in regenerative medicine. This study found that laser-ablated albumin-functionalized AuNPs were internalized by adipose-derived stromal cells, with larger sizes and higher concentrations impacting cell viability.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cell Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Cell tracking is crucial for understanding cell behavior in therapies.
- Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) offer potential for cellular labeling and tracking.
- Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) are key players in regenerative medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and tracking capabilities of laser-ablated albumin-functionalized AuNPs (LA-AuNPs) in ASCs.
- To evaluate the influence of LA-AuNPs size and concentration on ASCs.
- To assess the safety and persistence of LA-AuNPs for cell tracking applications.
Main Methods:
- ASCs were incubated with varying sizes (2 nm, 53 nm) and concentrations (23 µM to 127 µM) of LA-AuNPs.
- Cytotoxicity was assessed using Live/Dead assays and erythrocyte hemolysis.
- Cellular uptake and cytoskeletal effects were analyzed via immunocytochemistry for β-actin.
Main Results:
- LA-AuNPs were internalized by ASCs in a size- and concentration-dependent manner.
- Cellular uptake resulted in dispersed cytosolic and perinuclear clusters of LA-AuNPs.
- Higher concentrations of larger (53 nm) LA-AuNPs significantly reduced cell viability, while smaller sizes showed minimal toxicity.
- Labeling persisted for up to two weeks with no significant harmful effects observed at lower concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Laser-ablated albumin-functionalized AuNPs demonstrate effective cellular uptake and labeling persistence in ASCs.
- LA-AuNPs, particularly smaller sizes and lower concentrations, exhibit a favorable safety profile for cell tracking.
- These findings support the potential of LA-AuNPs as non-toxic labels for cell tracking in tissue engineering and cell-based therapies.
