Sialic acid surface decoration enhances cellular uptake and apoptosis-inducing activity of selenium nanoparticles

A simple method for fabrication of sialic acid surface-decorated selenium nanoparticles (SA–Se–NPs) with enhanced cancer-targeting and cell-penetrating abilities has been demonstrated in the present study. Monodisperse and homogeneous spherical SA–Se–NPs with striking stability were prepared under the optimized conditions. SA surface decoration significantly increased the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of Se–NPs in HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells. Treatments of SA–Se–NPs induced dose-dependent apoptosis in HeLa cells, as evidenced by increase in sub-G1 cell populations, nuclear condensation and formation of apoptotic bodies. Further investigation on molecular mechanisms reveals that SA–Se–NPs triggered cancer cell apoptosis through activation of caspase-3 and subsequent cleavage of PARP.