Surface functionalities of gold nanoparticles impact embryonic gene expression responses.

TitleSurface functionalities of gold nanoparticles impact embryonic gene expression responses.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsTruong, L, Tilton, SC, Zaikova, T, Richman, E, Waters, KM, Hutchison, JE, Tanguay, RL
JournalNanotoxicology
Volume7
Issue2
Pagination192-201
Date Published2013 Mar
ISSN1743-5404
KeywordsAnimals, Embryo, Nonmammalian, Gene Expression Profiling, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Gene Regulatory Networks, Gold, Mass Spectrometry, Mercaptoethanol, Mesna, Metal Nanoparticles, Particle Size, Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, Sulfhydryl Compounds, Surface Properties, Time Factors, Zebrafish
Abstract

Incorporation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) into consumer products is increasing; however, there is a gap in available toxicological data to determine the safety of AuNPs. In this study, we utilised the embryonic zebrafish to investigate how surface functionalisation and charge influence molecular responses. Precisely engineered AuNPs with 1.5 nm cores were synthesised and functionalized with three ligands: 2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid (MES), N,N,N-trimethylammoniumethanethiol (TMAT), or 2-(2-(2-mercaptoethoxy)ethoxy)ethanol. Developmental assessments revealed differential biological responses when embryos were exposed to the functionalised AuNPs at the same concentration. Using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, AuNP uptake was confirmed in exposed embryos. Following exposure to MES- and TMAT-AuNPs from 6 to 24 or 6 to 48 h post fertilisation, pathways involved in inflammation and immune response were perturbed. Additionally, transport mechanisms were misregulated after exposure to TMAT and MES-AuNPs, demonstrating that surface functionalisation influences many molecular pathways.

DOI10.3109/17435390.2011.648225
Alternate JournalNanotoxicology
PubMed ID22263968
PubMed Central IDPMC3399027
Grant ListR01 ES016896 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
F31 ES019445-02 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
F31 ES019445 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
P30 ES000210-38 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
P42 ES016465 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
R01 ES016896-04 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
P30 ES000210 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States