Impact of PEGylation on the biological effects and light heat conversion efficiency of gold nanoshells on silica nanorattles

As an excellent photothermal agent candidate, gold nanoshells have attracted a great deal of attention, but the influences of PEGylation on their biological effects and light heat conversion efficiency remain unclear. Here we investigate the influences of PEGylation density on the gold nanoshells on silica nanorattles (GSNPs) to their biological effects, including their cellular uptake, “corona” of biological macromolecules they are covered with, in vivo biodistribution and toxicities, and their in vitro and in vivo light heat conversion efficiency. The results suggest PEGylation obviously impacts the uptake patterns of GSNPs. Less-density PEGylated GSNPs show enhanced cellular uptake caused by the high dose exposure on cell surface due to their rapid aggregation. High-density PEGylated GSNPs show advantages in less toxicity for suppression of aggregation of GSNPs, avoidance of RES, good enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect of cancerous tumors, especially the enhanced light heat conversion efficiency in vivo. Less or insufficient PEGylation may induce in vivo toxicity. This study highlights the need to study the effect of PEGylation for near infrared (NIR) light absorbing nanoparticles to predict the effects and safety of nanotherapeutics.