Abstract
The interactions between cells and nanomaterials at the nanoscale play a pivotal role in controlling cellular behavior and ample evidence links cell intercommunication to nanomaterial size. However, little is known about the effect of nanomaterial geometry on cell behavior. To elucidate this and to extend the application in cancer theranostics, we have engineered core–shell cobalt–gold nanoparticles with spherical (Co@Au NPs) and elliptical morphology (Co@Au NEs). Our results show that owing to superparamagnetism, Co@Au NPs can generate hyperthermia upon magnetic field stimulation. In contrast, due to the geometric difference, Co@Au NEs can be optically excited to generate hyperthermia upon photostimulation and elevate the medium temperature to 45 °C. Both nanomaterial geometries can be employed as prospective contrast agents; however, at identical concentration, Co@Au NPs exhibited 4-fold higher cytotoxicity to L929 fibroblasts as compared to Co@Au NEs, confirming the effect of nanomaterial geometry on cell fate. Furthermore, photostimulation-generated hyperthermia prompted detachment of anti-cancer drug, Methotrexate (MTX), from Co@Au NEs-MTX complex and which triggered 90% decrease in SW620 colon carcinoma cell viability, confirming their application in cancer theranostics. The geometry-based perturbation of cell fate can have a profound impact on our understanding of interactions at nano-bio interface which can be exploited for engineering materials with optimized geometries for superior theranostic applications.
Highlights
Nanotechnological advancements for cancer treatment have shown an abrupt increase in the past decade and engineering nanoparticles with definitive size and composition is at the core of these advancements
Co@Au NPs and NEs can serve as contrast agents and can generate hyperthermia upon application of alternating magnetic field or photostimulation, respectively
Owing to optical activity, the NEs are more efficient at generating hyperthermia
Summary
Nanotechnological advancements for cancer treatment have shown an abrupt increase in the past decade and engineering nanoparticles with definitive size and composition is at the core of these advancements. A plethora of nanoparticles such as iron oxide, gold, silver, and silica have found applications in cancer therapy owing to properties assisting in medical imaging or drug delivery, thereby improving the disease prognosis [1,2,3]. A majority of nanomaterials are engineered from a single element which limits their application in multiple domains. To overcome these challenges, a new class of multifunctional nanomaterials, such as core–shell nanoparticles, have been engineered comprising a mixture of different elements, which allows for the application of the same nanoparticle in different domains [4,5]. The presence of gold allows for the ease of functionalization with a number of chemodrugs
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