Gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) have become a promising nanomaterial for cancer therapy because of their biocompatibility and fluorescent properties. In this study, the effect of ultrasmall protein-stabilized 2 nm Au NCs on six types of mammalian cells (fibroblasts, B-lymphocytes, glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, and two types of prostate cancer cells) under electromagnetic radiation is investigated. Cellular association of Au NCs in vitro is concentration-dependent, and Au NCs have low intrinsic toxicity. However, when Au NC-incubated cells are exposed to a 1 GHz electromagnetic field (microwave radiation), cell viability significantly decreases, thus demonstrating that Au NCs exhibit specific microwave-dependent cytotoxicity, likely resulting from localized heating. Upon i.v. injection in mice, Au NCs are still present at 24 h post administration. Considering the specific microwave-dependent cytotoxicity and low intrinsic toxicity, our work suggests the potential of Au NCs as effective and safe nanomedicines for cancer therapy.

中文翻译：

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金纳米簇介导的电磁辐射下的细胞死亡

金纳米团簇（Au NCs）由于其生物相容性和荧光特性而成为一种有前途的用于癌症治疗的纳米材料。在这项研究中，研究了超细蛋白稳定的2 nm Au NCs在电磁辐射下对六种类型的哺乳动物细胞（成纤维细胞，B淋巴细胞，成胶质细胞瘤，神经母细胞瘤和两种类型的前列腺癌细胞）的影响。Au NCs在体外的细胞缔合是浓度依赖性的，Au NCs的内在毒性低。但是，当将Au NC培养的细胞暴露于1 GHz电磁场（微波辐射）时，细胞活力显着降低，因此表明Au NCs表现出特定的微波依赖性细胞毒性，这可能是由于局部加热所致。在小鼠中静脉注射后，给药后24小时仍存在Au NC。