Effect of Au nanoparticles modified with sulfhydryl-polyethylene glycol on liver cancer cell prolif-eration and radiation damage

Objective Au nanoparticles （AuNPs）was chemically modified with sulfhydryl-polyethylene glycol （ SH-PEG ） and its effects on liver cancer cell survival and radiation damage were assessed. Methods PEG-AuNPs were chemically fabricated with SH-PEG and AuNPs. The size of PEG-AuNPs and uptake by liver cancer cell were observed by field-emission transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The Cell Titer-Glo luminescent cell viability assay and cell colonies were used to examine effect of PEG-AuNPs on liver cancer cells′survival and radiation damage. Results 14.4 nm and 30.5 nm PEG-AuNPs were obtained by above fabrication. 30.5 nm PEG-AuNPs were presented more absorption, inhibi-tion the survival and enhance radiation effect to liver cancer cell. Conclusions After modification with SH-PEG, larger PEG-AuNPs with 30.5 nm showed stronger inhibition in liver cancer cellular survival and promoted liver cancer cells sensitive to radiation. Key words: Polyethylene glycols; Au nanoparticles; Radiosensitive; Liver cancer cell