Effect of gold nanoparticles on expression and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor by HepG2 cells

Abstract

Objective To observe the inhibitory effect of gold nanoparticles on the expression and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by HepG2 cells.Methods HepG2 cells were seeded in 96-well plates and treated with different concentrations (5,10,and 20 μg/L) of gold nanoparticles for 12 h.The concentration of VEGF protein expressed and secreted by HepG2 cells was determined by using Western blotting and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) separately.The proliferation rate of HepG2 cells was assessed by using methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay.For mouse ascites model experiments,H22 cells were intraperitoneally injected into BALB/c mice.After 7 days,gold nanoparticles (1 mg/kg) was administered through intraperitoneal injection every 2 days over a period of 14 days.Mice were then sacrificed and ascites fluids collected.The fluid accumulation in the peritoneal carvity,as well as the concentration of VEGF of mouse ascites was determined.Results The VEGF concentration of 4 groups (control,5,10 and 20 μg/L gold nanoparticles) was (351.64 ±7.89),(285.62 ± 3.45),(121.72 ±3.10) and (9.83 ±2.28) ng/L respectively,P ＜0.05.The proliferation rate of HepG2 cells in three gold nanoparticles group (5,10,and 20 μg/L) was (98.98 ±7.57)％,(90.95 ± 11.62)％ and (86.38 ±4.23)％ respectively,P ＞ 0.05.The ascites accumulation and VEGF concentration in control and gold nanoparticles groups were (13.22 ± 1.03) ml and (62.95 ± 11.93) ng/L,and (5.21 ± 0.62) ml and (27.12 ± 8.58) ng/L respectively,P ＜ 0.01.Conclusion Gold nanoparticles can inhibit the expression and secretion of VEGF and cause lesser ascites accumulation of mouse ascites model. Key words: Carcinoma, hepatocellular; Gold nanoparticles; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Ascites accumulation