Chitosan functionalisation of gold nanoparticles encourages particle uptake and induces cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory conditions in phagocytic cells, as well as enhancing particle interactions with serum components
Matthew S. P. Boyles, Theresa Kristl, Ancuela Andosch, Mirjam Zimmermann, Ngoc Tran, Eudald Casals, Martin Himly, Victor Puntes, Christian G. Huber, Ursula Lütz‑Meindl and Albert Duschl
Abstract:
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalised with chitosan are a popular choice for medical and biomedical research applications, and can be applied in drug delivery systems and aid in disease diagnosis. It is therefore vital to assess toxicological and immunological implications of exposure to AuNP-chitosan conjugates. We have evaluated how AuNP functionalisation with chitosan can affect uptake, cytotoxicity, and immunological responses within mononuclear cells. Uptake rates of AuNPs by THP-1 cells, and specific routes of intracellular trafficking, were dependent upon chitosan-functionalisation, and corresponded with an enhanced immune response and an increase in cytotoxicity. From this it can be concluded that functionalisation of AuNPs with the perceived non-toxic biocompatible molecule chitosan can provoke strong pro-inflammatory conditions, and induce substantial cell death, and therefore the use of these conjugates in medical applications should proceed with caution.

The open access article can be found  here.
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Reviewed by Hans Brandstetter