[Dynamics of penetration of 'solid' nanoconstructions based on double-stranded DNA complexed with gadolinium into CHO cells]

Currently, neutron capture therapy is a promising cancer treatment. This method is based on the reaction of the thermal neutron capture by some non-radioactive elements (e.g., Gds57), which results in subsequent emission of electrons and gamma rays. An effective instrument for delivery of gadolinium into the tumor tissue are the particles of the "rigid" nanostructures (NS) based on double-stranded DNA complexes with gadolinium (NS-Gd). The local concentration of Gd in such nanostructures may reach 40%. To optimize the process of neutron capture therapy it is very important to investigate possible penetration mechanisms of NS-Gd particles into the tumor cells. In this work, the dynamics of interaction NS-Gd with cultivated chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) was studied by confocal and electron microscopy. It is shown that NS-Gd are able to enter CHO cells. This process begins in about 1 hour after the start ofincubation. After 6 h NS-Gd particles were detected in almost all cells. A further increase of the incubation time does not lead to significant changes in cell morphology, although the number NS-Gd inside the cells increases. The plasma membrane of the cells remains intact. The NS-Gd particles, which entered the cells, remain inside the cells for a long time. The data obtained show that NS-Gd are relatively low-toxic and suggest that the presence of NS-Gd in the tumor cells does not prevent their division. The data obtained are important for improving the efficiency of the neutron capture therapy method.