Gold Nanocluster-Mediated Cellular Death under Electromagnetic Radiation.

Abstract

Gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) have become a promising nanomaterial for cancer therapy because of their biocompatibility and fluorescent properties. In this study, the effect of ultrasmall protein-stabilized 2 nm Au NCs on six types of mammalian cells (fibroblasts, B-lymphocytes, glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, and two types of prostate cancer cells) under electromagnetic radiation is investigated. Cellular association of Au NCs in vitro is concentration-dependent, and Au NCs have low intrinsic toxicity. However, when Au NC-incubated cells are exposed to a 1 GHz electromagnetic field (microwave radiation), cell viability significantly decreases, thus demonstrating that Au NCs exhibit specific microwave-dependent cytotoxicity, likely resulting from localized heating. Upon i.v. injection in mice, Au NCs are still present at 24 h post administration. Considering the specific microwave-dependent cytotoxicity and low intrinsic toxicity, our work suggests the potential of Au NCs as effective and safe nanomedicines for cancer therapy.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Protein-stabilized 2 nm gold nanoclusters showed concentration-dependent cellular association and low intrinsic toxicity in vitro. When gold nanocluster-incubated cells were exposed to a 1 GHz electromagnetic field, cell viability significantly decreased, indicating microwave-dependent cytotoxicity (described as likely due to localized heating). After i.v. injection in mice, gold nanoclusters were still present at 24 h post administration.

Outcomes measured

• Cellular association (uptake/association) of gold nanoclusters
• Intrinsic toxicity of gold nanoclusters
• Cell viability under 1 GHz electromagnetic field exposure
• Presence/retention of gold nanoclusters in mice at 24 h post i.v. injection

Limitations

• Exposure metrics (e.g., SAR, power density) and exposure duration are not provided in the abstract.
• In vitro findings are reported across multiple cell types, but quantitative effect sizes are not stated in the abstract.
• The mouse component reports presence at 24 h but does not describe health outcomes under electromagnetic exposure in the abstract.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 1000,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Six types of mammalian cells in vitro (fibroblasts, B-lymphocytes, glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, and two types of prostate cancer cells); mice (i.v. injection)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Cellular association (uptake/association) of gold nanoclusters",
        "Intrinsic toxicity of gold nanoclusters",
        "Cell viability under 1 GHz electromagnetic field exposure",
        "Presence/retention of gold nanoclusters in mice at 24 h post i.v. injection"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Protein-stabilized 2 nm gold nanoclusters showed concentration-dependent cellular association and low intrinsic toxicity in vitro. When gold nanocluster-incubated cells were exposed to a 1 GHz electromagnetic field, cell viability significantly decreased, indicating microwave-dependent cytotoxicity (described as likely due to localized heating). After i.v. injection in mice, gold nanoclusters were still present at 24 h post administration.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Exposure metrics (e.g., SAR, power density) and exposure duration are not provided in the abstract.",
        "In vitro findings are reported across multiple cell types, but quantitative effect sizes are not stated in the abstract.",
        "The mouse component reports presence at 24 h but does not describe health outcomes under electromagnetic exposure in the abstract."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "gold nanoclusters",
        "Au NCs",
        "microwave radiation",
        "1 GHz",
        "electromagnetic field",
        "cell viability",
        "cytotoxicity",
        "localized heating",
        "in vitro",
        "mice",
        "cancer therapy"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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