Publications
Table of Contents (TOC)
Interactions of Skin with Gold Nanoparticles of Different Surface Charge, Shape and Functionality
Small, 2015, 11 (6), 713-721. DOI: 10.1002/smll.201401913
Abstract
We investigate the interactions between skin and colloidal gold nanoparticles of different physicochemical characteristics. By systematically varying the charge, shape, and functionality of gold nanoparticles, we assess nanoparticle penetration through different skin layers. The penetration is evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively using a variety of complementary techniques. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) is used to quantify the total number of particles penetrating into the skin structure. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and two-photon photoluminescence microscopy (TPPL) on skin cross sections provide direct visualization of nanoparticle migration within different skin substructures. Our studies reveal that gold nanoparticles functionalized with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) TAT and R7 are found in the skin in larger quantities than polyethylene glycol-functionalized nanoparticles and are able to enter deep into the skin structure. The systematic studies presented in this work can be of strong interest for new developments in transdermal administration of drugs and therapy.
For citation:
Fernandes, R.; Smyth, N. R.; Muskens, O. L.; Nitti, S.; Heuer-Jungemann, A.; Ardern-Jones, M. R.; Kanaras, A. G.
"Interactions of Skin with Gold Nanoparticles of Different Surface Charge, Shape and Functionality"
Small 2015, 11 (6), 713-721. DOI: 10.1002/smll.201401913