Gold Nanocrystals with Well-Defined Crystallographic {111} Facets Suppress Pathological Neovascularization

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a main factor in pathological neovascularization in various human diseases including age-related macular degeneration, cancer, and diabetic complications. Interestingly, gold nanospheres are known to bind to VEGF and to suppress VEGF-mediated angiogenesis. The anti-angiogenic effects are known to be governed by the size and surface charge of the nanoparticles. However, studies on the role of the shape in biological actions are limited. In this study, we investigate the anti-angiogenic properties of nanocrystals that have well-defined crystallographic {111} facets. Single-crystalline icosahedral and octahedral gold nanocrystals effectively scavenge VEGF just as nanospheres with similar diameter. In addition, they suppress the in vitro VEGF-induced activation of the VEGF receptor and the proliferation of endothelial cells. They also significantly inhibit in vivo VEGF-mediated retinal vascular permeability. These results thus suggest that gold nanocrystals with {111} facets can provide a useful platform for nanoparticle-based treatment of VEGF-driven pathological neovascularization beyond their current optical and catalytic applications.