Gold nanoparticles induce oxidative damage in lung fibroblasts in vitro

ENVR 76

Jasmine J. Li, g0700067@nus.edu.sg1, Boon-Huat Bay1, and Lin-Yue Lanry Yung, cheyly@nus.edu.sg2. (1) Department of Anatomy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117576, Singapore, (2) Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Block E5-02-09, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore, 117576, Singapore
Nanomaterials, defined as any material possessing at least one dimension in the nanoscale, are found to have many uses and potential applications in the fields of biology and medicine. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in particular are being developed as novel gene and drug delivery agents, transfection vectors and DNA-binding agents as well as various imaging systems due to the inertness of bulk gold. Recent research findings have brought to light concerns over the safety of nanomaterials and long-term adverse effect of their use. In this study, we demonstrated that AuNPs can induce DNA damage and inhibit cell proliferation in human embryonic lung fibroblasts. Furthermore, we found down-regulation of genes associated with regulation of the cell cycle and DNA repair. The results shown here are substantially different from the general perception that AuNPs only possess limited cytotoxicity. The comparison between the in vitro and in vivo results will also be discussed.
 

Environmental Behavior and Fate of Manufactured Nanomaterials
1:30 PM-5:30 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 235, Oral

Division of Environmental Chemistry

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008