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

摘要

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. Methods: Human breast cancer cells (MCF7, BT474) and normal human breast epithelial cells (MCF10A) were exposed to PEGylated-silica-FITC NPs (1.0 mg/mL) for 24h. Results: After incubation of cells with 20 ul of NPs, increased uptake of PEG-silica-FITC NPs was seen in cancer cells (MCF7, 18.5%; BT474, 16.8%) compared to non-cancer cells (MCF10A, 9.9%). Incubation of cells with 40 ul of NPs demonstrated that uptake of NPs is dose related and confirmed preferential uptake of NPs by cancer cells (MCF7, 27.3%; BT474, 25.2%) compared to non-cancer cells (MCF10A, 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.