Gold-Nanoparticle-Conjugated Citrate Inhibits Tumor Necrosis Factor-<i>α</i> Expression via Suppression of Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-<i>κ</i>B) Activation in Breast Cancer Cells
Abdullah S. M. Aljohani, Ahmed A. H. Abdellatif, Zafar Rasheed, Waleed Al Abdulmonem
Abstract
One of the leading causes of death worldwide is cancer. Excessive production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α is known to activate nuclear transcription factor (NF)- κ B, which plays a lethal role in the onset of multiple disorders including cancer. In this study, we aimed to determine the therapeutic role of novel gold nanoparticles conjugated with citrate (AuNPs-CIT) on the elevated expression of TNF- α in breast cancer cells. AuNPs-CIT were synthesized by the citrate-reduction method and were characterized by UV-VIS spectroscopic analysis, zeta-potential analysis, and size analysis. The potential of these newly generated AuNPs-CIT particles was tested on phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated cancer cells. Our data showed that the AuNPs-CIT were spherical, with a mean size of 21.3±0.65 nm and a stabilized zetapotential at −41.4±0.98 mV. These newly generated AuNPs-CIT nanoparticles inhibited PMA-induced activation and nuclear translocation of NF- κ B p65 in MCF-7 cells. They also have the tendency to block TNF- α expression in stimulated cancer cells. In conclusion, AuNPs-CIT inhibits PMA-induced TNF- α mRNA and protein expression via deactivation of NF- κ B signaling in breast cancer cells. These findings suggest that AuNPs-CIT might be useful in cancer treatment.