Gold Nanoparticles Affect Pericyte Biology and Capillary Tube Formation.

Sasikarn Looprasertkul,Depicha Jindatip,Tewarit Sarachana,Kanidta Sooklert,Nakarin Kitkumthorn,Amornpun Sereemaspun

doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13050738

Sasikarn Looprasertkul, Depicha Jindatip + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13050738

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Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, especially antiangiogenesis, which are accomplished via inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation. However, no research has been performed on the effects of AuNPs in pericytes, which play vital roles in endothelial cell functions and capillary tube formation during physiological and pathological processes. Therefore, the effects of AuNPs on the morphology and functions of pericytes need to be elucidated. This study treated human placental pericytes in monoculture with 20 nm AuNPs at a concentration of 30 ppm. Ki-67 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β) mRNA expression was measured using real-time reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Cell migration was assessed by Transwell migration assay. The fine structures of pericytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. In addition, 30 ppm AuNP-treated pericytes and intact human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cocultured on Matrigel to form three-dimensional (3D) capillary tubes. The results demonstrated that AuNPs significantly inhibited proliferation, reduced PDGFR-β mRNA expression, and decreased migration in pericytes. Ultrastructural analysis of pericytes revealed AuNPs in late endosomes, autolysosomes, and mitochondria. Remarkably, many mitochondria were swollen or damaged. Additionally, capillary tube formation was reduced. We found that numerous pericytes on 3D capillary tubes were round and did not extend their processes along the tubes, which resulted in more incomplete tube formation in the treatment group compared with the control group. In summary, AuNPs can affect pericyte proliferation, PDGFR-β mRNA expression, migration, morphology, and capillary tube formation. The findings highlight the possible application of AuNPs in pericyte-targeted therapy for antiangiogenesis.

Highlights

Nanoparticles have been developed for innovative therapeutic strategies involving nanotechnology
Recent studies have reported that AuNPs ranging from 15 to 30 nm in size can aid in antiangiogenesis by inhibiting the activity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) [1,6,7]
AuNPs observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed a spherical morphology with an average diameter of 20.04 ± 0.13 nm (Figure 1A)

Summary

Introduction

Nanoparticles have been developed for innovative therapeutic strategies involving nanotechnology. Nanoparticles are small particles with diameters of diverse sizes from 1 to 100 nm. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which are some of the most. Pharmaceutics 2021, 13, 738 common metal nanoparticles, have been widely used in nanomedicine. The remarkable properties of AuNPs are their low cytotoxicity, good biocompatibility, and ease of conjugation to a variety of biomolecules [1,2]. AuNPs are used for cell imaging, targeted drug delivery, thermal therapy, antiangiogenesis, and anticancer applications [3,4,5]. Recent studies have reported that AuNPs ranging from 15 to 30 nm in size can aid in antiangiogenesis by inhibiting the activity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) [1,6,7]

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