Thiolated gold nanoparticle surface ligands (AuNP-S-ligands)

Thiolated ligands on gold nanoparticle surfaces represent a versatile class of nanomedicinal constructs where molecules are attached to a gold core via strong gold-sulfur (Au-S) covalent bonds (Saha et al., 2012). These ligands serve multiple roles, including stabilizing the nanoparticle in biological fluids, providing stealth properties such as PEGylation to evade the immune system, and enabling active targeting of specific cell types through the attachment of antibodies or peptides (Ghosh et al., 2008). While not a biological target itself, this platform is extensively used in oncology for the targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics and in photothermal therapy, where the gold core absorbs near-infrared light to generate localized heat and destroy tumor cells (Paciotti et al., 2004). The modular nature of the thiolated surface allows for the simultaneous attachment of imaging agents and drugs, facilitating theranostic applications. However, the clinical translation of these constructs requires careful consideration of the stability of the Au-S bond in vivo and the long-term biodistribution of the gold core (Zhang et al., 2014).

Other names

Thiol-functionalized gold nanoparticlesAuNP-thiol conjugatesGold-thiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs)Thiolated AuNPsFunctionalized gold nanostructures

Thiolated ligands on gold nanoparticles function primarily as a delivery and stabilization platform. The gold-sulfur bond allows for the dense functionalization of the nanoparticle surface with various moieties. These constructs utilize the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect for passive targeting or specific ligand-receptor interactions for active targeting. Once at the site, they can release therapeutic payloads through environmental triggers (e.g., pH or glutathione) or be used for photothermal ablation by converting light into heat (Saha et al., 2012; Paciotti et al., 2004).