Formulating RALA/Au nanocomplexes to enhance nanoparticle internalisation efficiency, sensitising prostate tumour models to radiation treatment

Lindsey Bennie, Jie Feng, Christopher Emmerson, Wendy B Hyland, Kyle Matchett, Helen O McCarthy, Jonathan A Coulter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)
3 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) are effective radiosensitisers, however, successful clinical translation has been impeded by short systemic circulation times and poor internalisation efficiency. This work examines the potential of RALA, a short amphipathic peptide, to enhance the uptake efficiency of negatively charged AuNPs in tumour cells, detailing the subsequent impact of AuNP internalisation on tumour cell radiation sensitivity.

Results: RALA/Au nanoparticles were formed by optimising the ratio of RALA to citrate capped AuNPs, with assembly occurring through electrostatic interactions. Physical nanoparticle characteristics were determined by UV-vis spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. Nano-complexes successfully formed at w:w ratios > 20:1 (20 µg RALA:1 µg AuNP) yielding positively charged nanoparticles, sized < 110 nm with PDI values < 0.52. ICP-MS demonstrated that RALA enhanced AuNP internalisation by more than threefold in both PC-3 and DU145 prostate cancer cell models, without causing significant toxicity. Importantly, all RALA-AuNP formulations significantly increased prostate cancer cell radiosensitivity. This effect was greatest using the 25:1 RALA-AuNP formulation, producing a dose enhancement effect (DEF) of 1.54 in PC3 cells. Using clinical radiation energies (6 MV) RALA-AuNP also significantly augmented radiation sensitivity. Mechanistic studies support RALA-AuNP nuclear accumulation resulting in increased DNA damage yields.

Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate meaningful radiosensitisation using low microgram AuNP treatment concentrations. This effect was achieved using RALA, providing functional evidence to support our previous imaging study indicating RALA-AuNP nuclear accumulation.
Original languageEnglish
Article number279
Pages (from-to)1-13
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Nanobiotechnology
Volume19
Early online date19 Sept 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished online - 19 Sept 2021

Data Access Statement

Raw data will be made freely available upon request. Methods contained
within or published elsewhere.

Keywords

  • Gold nanoparticles
  • RALA
  • Radiosensitisation
  • Prostate cancer
  • Nanomedicine

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