The role of surface modification for TiO2 nanoparticles in cancer cells

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2016 Jul 1:143:148-155. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.03.029. Epub 2016 Mar 11.

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have a potential in the field of biological application. However, its poor dispersibility in water hampered its applications. In this study, 3-phosphonopropionic acid and 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane were respectively used for surface modification on TiO2 NPs with negative and positive surface charges (denoted as TiO2-COOH and TiO2-NH2). Zeta potentials of the prepared samples with high absolute value demonstrate the great improvement in their dispersibility. In terms of viability experiment, both TiO2-COOH and TiO2-NH2 showed low cytotoxicity. The cellular uptake efficiency and the uptake pathways of TiO2-COOH and TiO2-NH2 for cancer cells were studied. The exocytosis of TiO2-NH2 was also observed in the experiment.

Keywords: Endocytosis; Surface modification; Titanium dioxide.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Drug Carriers*
  • Endocytosis
  • Exocytosis
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / chemistry*
  • Propylamines / chemistry*
  • Silanes / chemistry*
  • Static Electricity
  • Surface Properties
  • Titanium / chemistry*
  • Titanium / pharmacology

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Propylamines
  • Silanes
  • titanium dioxide
  • beta-phosphonopropionic acid
  • Titanium
  • amino-propyl-triethoxysilane