Citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles as negative controls for measurements of neurite outgrowth

摘要: Abstract Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are promising candidates for medical diagnostics and therapeutics, due to their chemical stability, optical properties, ease of functionalization. Citrate-stabilized reference materials also have potential as negative controls in toxicology studies other nanoparticles. Here we examine the impact 30 nm particles on vitro development rat-cortex neural progenitor cells (NPCs), which mimic aspects developing neurological environment. AuNPs dispersed a low-serum culture medium initially agglomerated, but then remained stable during three day incubation period, agglomerated only slightly ten determined by dynamic light scattering. Transmission electron microscopy indicated presence individual at all timepoints examined. Fixed were cross-sectioned ion milling imaged scanning helium-ion evaluate particle incorporation. Individual could be resolved inside cells. incubated with NPCs days concentrations 0.5 μg/mL Au, 0.1 μg/mL or 0.05 μg/mL Au. Adenosine triphosphate levels, bioluminescence measurements sensitive low cell numbers, not affected did interfere assay. Multiple endpoints neurite outgrowth altered AuNPs, particular, total per cell, measure neuronal development. Slide-level comparisons demonstrated consistent response gold positive control chemical, neuroactive lithium. These results indicate that citrate-stabilized serve negative-control outgrowth.