Comparative toxicity of PEG and folate-derivated blue-emitting silicon nanoparticles: in vitro and in vivo studies

PRIETO, MARÍA JIMENA; KOTLER MÓNICA LIDIA; LILLO, CRISTIAN R; ALONSO, SILVIA DEL V; MONTANARI, JORGE; CALIENNI, MARÍA NATALIA; GOROJOD ROXANA MAYRA; GONZALEZ MÓNICA CRISTINA

NANOMEDICINE

FUTURE MEDICINE LTD

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2019 vol. 14 p. 375 - 385

1743-5889

Background: Amino-functionalization is a first step modification aiming to achieve biomedical applications of silicon nanoparticles, e.g. for photodynamic therapy or radiotherapy. Nevertheless, toxicity and low quantum yields due to the positive charge of amino groups emerge as a problem that could be solved with subsequent derivatizationsMaterials & methods: Folic and PEG-conjugated nanoparticles were obtained from amino-functionalized siliconnanoparticle (NH2SiNP). Cytotoxicity was determined on a tumor cell line at low and high concentrations. Fourendpoints of in vivo toxicity were evaluated on zebrafish (Danio rerio).Results: Folic acid functionalization reduced the cytotoxicity in comparison to amino and PEG-functionalizednanoparticles. In zebrafish, folic functionalization lowered toxicity in general while PEG increased it.Conclusion: Functionalization of NH2SiNP with folic acid reduced the toxic effects in vitro and in vivo. This could beuseful for therapeutic applications. PEG functionalization did not lower the toxicity.