Denver H.T., de Noronha C.M., Borca-Tasciuc D-A.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, US
Keywords: HIV, macrophage, nanoparticle
There is an increased interest in developing alternative therapies to combat deadly infectious disease including HIV. This work investigates the fundamentals of a novel, nanoparticle-based potential treatment method employing macrophage cells. Macrophages are a very important viral reservoir, serving as one of the host cells for HIV multiplication. Nanoparticle loaded, HIV infected macrophages may be stimulated into apoptosis by remote heating of the internalized nanoparticles. Dead macrophages are eliminated from the human body, which leads also to removal of all viral copies present inside the cell from the blood or lymphatic system. This research is based on THP-1 cells, a monocytic cell line that can be differentiated into macrophage like cells. THP-1 cells are differentiated with PMA, next the cells are exposed separately to iron oxide and gold nanoparticles conjugated with fluorescent dye for visualization. After the cells incubate for 24 hours they are inspected with microscopy to confirm nanoparticle cellular uptake. Specimens of differentiated THP-1 cells of both nanoparticle loaded and unaltered conditions are then submitted to an alternating magnetic field at variable power. A parameter study is performed to determine optimum power and frequency to produce efficient apoptosis of nanoparticle loaded cells with minimal effect on control cells.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Nanotechnology 2008: Life Sciences, Medicine & Bio Materials – Technical Proceedings of the 2008 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 2
Published: June 1, 2008
Pages: 361 - 364
Industry sector: Medical & Biotech
Topics: Biomaterials, Materials for Drug & Gene Delivery
ISBN: 978-1-4200-8504-4