Cell mechanics characteristics of anti-HER2 modified PPy@GNPs and its photothermal treatment of SKOV-3 cells

Nanomaterials and nanotechnology have been widely used in various fields, such as materials, chemical engineering, optics, and other disciplines. In this paper, gold nanoparticles are prepared by the hydrothermal method and treated with polypyrrole coating (PPy-GNPs). Then, the anti-HER2 protein was conjugated to polypyrrole coated gold nanoparticles, and the nanomaterials are named anti-HER2-PPy@GNPs (anti-PPy@GNPs). Their diameter is about 80–90 nm, and they show a strong absorption peak in the near-infrared band, especially under 808 nm laser irradiation. In the MTT test experiment, anti-HER2-PPy@GNPs show a significant inhibitory effect on the SKOV-3 cell. Fluorescent cytoskeletal analysis of SKOV-3 cells and atomic force microscopy (AFM) of the mechanical characteristics of the cell surface revealed that the cell micro-structure, adhesion, and Young's modulus of anti-HER2-PPy@GNPs have changed under the near-infrared illumination. These results indicate anti-HER2-PPy@GNPs has an inhibitory effect on SKOV-3 cells. AFM detects the mechanical characteristics of SKOV-3 cells. Compared with the control group, Young's modulus is increased 52.7%, while the adhesion force is decreased 14.47%.