Size and ligand effects of gold nanoclusters in alteration of organellar state and translocation of transcription factors in human primary astrocytes

Ultra-small gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) with designed sizes and ligands are gaining popularity for biomedical purposes and ultimately for human imaging and therapeutic applications. Human non-tumor brain cells, astrocytes, are of particular interest because they are abundant and play a role in functional regulation of neurons under physiological and pathological conditions. Human primary astrocytes were treated with AuNCs of varying sizes (Au 10 , Au 15 , Au 18 , Au 25 ) and ligand composition (glutathione, polyethylene glycol, N -acetyl cysteine). Concentration and time-dependent studies showed no significant cell loss with AuNC concentrations