The genotoxic effect of gold nanoparticles in cultured human cells

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles are ultrafine particles which are being used diversely in the medical field. Despite their versatility, the toxicity research which has been conducted on these particles is incredibly limited as well as contradictory. The aim of this study was to determine the genotoxicity of gold nanoparticles on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. This was done by first synthesizing spherical gold particles; functionalizing, characterizing and then testing their stability in conditions similar to cellular environments. Once this was done the gold particles were then added to the cultured HepG2 cells and cytotoxicity was determined by the WST-1 assay and xCELLigence technology. The ApoPercentage assay was used in order to determine the cell death mechanism as a result of the gold particles and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine their internalization. The genotoxicity caused as a result of the gold particles was analyzed by the use of an alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis. The results obtained indicated that 18nm spherical gold nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and functionalized. The particles were stable in cellular environments except for thiol interactions and phosphate buffered saline. Cytotoxicity was evident however the cells did recover. Some of the gold nanoparticles did induce genotoxicity however the cells were able to repair the damage with the exception of the cells exposed to gold nanoparticles functionalized with mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA)