Magnetite nanoparticles functionalized with α-tocopheryl succinate (α-TOS) promote selective cervical cancer cell death
Aracely Angulo-Molina, Miguel Ángel Méndez-Rojas, Teresa Palacios-Hernández,Oscar Edel Contreras-López, Gustavo Alonso Hirata-Flores, Juan Carlos Flores-Alonso, Saul Merino-Contreras, Olivia Valenzuela, Jesús Hernández and Julio Reyes-Leyva
Laboratorio de Inmunología, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C., Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP), Ex-Hda. de Sta. Catarina Mártir, San Andrés Cholula, 72820 Puebla, Mexico
Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP), Puebla, Mexico
Centro de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología (CNYN), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ensenada, BCN, Mexico
Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Oriente (CIBIOR), Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Metepec, Puebla, Mexico
Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), Puebla, Mexico
Departamento de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
The vitamin E analog α-tocopheryl succinate (α-TOS) selectively induces apoptosis in several cancer cells, but it is sensitive to esterases present in cervical cancer cells. Magnetite nanoparticles (Nps) were prepared by a reduction–coprecipitation method; their surface was silanized and conjugated to α-TOS to enhance its resistance. Morphology, size, and crystal structure were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and selected area electron diffraction. Chemical composition was analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy; functional groups were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; and α-TOS content was estimated by thermogravimetric analysis. The cytotoxic activity of α-TOS-Nps was evaluated in non-malignant fibroblasts and cervical cancer cells by means of the colorimetric MTT viability test. Intracellular localization was identified by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Characterization of α-TOS-Nps revealed sphere-like Nps with 15 nm average size, formed by mineral and organic constituents with high stability. α-TOS-Nps were internalized in the nucleus and selectively affected the viability of cervical cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner but were biocompatible with non-malignant fibroblasts. In conclusion, functionalization of magnetite Nps protected the cytotoxic activity of α-TOS in non-sensitive cervical cancer cells.
J Nanopart Res (2014) 16:2528
Link to the paper: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11051-014-2528-6
Comments
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