Differential Uptake of PEG-Silica-FITC Nanoparticles by Human Breast Cancer Cells and Normal Human Breast Epithelial Cells

Keywords:
silica nanoparticles, breast cancer, normal breast epithelial cells, cellular uptake, flow cytometry

Abstract:
Background: An understanding of uptake of nanoparticles (NPs) by human cancer cells and non-cancer cells is important for the development of NPs as novel cancer therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Hypothesis: Uptake of NPs is increased in human breast cancer cells compared to normal human breast epithelial cells. Methods: PEGylated-FITC silica NPs (150nm, [1.18mg/mL]) were synthesized. Human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, BT474) and normal human breast epithelial cells were (MCF10A) cultured. Cells were exposed to NPs for 24h. A quantitative analysis (Flow-Cytometry) and qualitative analysis of cellular uptake (Fluorescence microscopy) were performed. Results: Exposure of cells to NPs did not affect cell viability. After incubation of cells with 20 l of NPs, increased uptake of PEG-silica-FITC NPs was seen in cancer cells (MCF-7, 18.5%; BT474, 16.8%) compared to non-cancer cells (MCF-10A, 9.9%). Incubation of cells with 40 l of NPs demonstrated that uptake of NPs is dose related and confirmed preferential uptake of NPs by cancer cells (MCF-7, 27.3%; BT474, 25.2%) compared to non-cancer cells (MCF-10A, 12.3%). Conclusion: Human breast cancer cells demonstrate increased uptake of NPs compared to normal human breast epithelial cells. This observation has important implications for the development of NPs as cancer therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents.

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Nanotech 2007 Conference Program Abstract