Protein‐Template Gold Nanoclusters Induce Differentiation and Modify the Functional Properties of Primary Astrocytes

Astrocyte ion channels, water channels, and calcium signaling play vital roles in maintaining brain homeostasis, coordinating neural network activity, supporting cognitive functions, and mediating neurovascular coupling. Disruptions in astrocyte dynamics are causally linked to gliosis occurring in pathologies, such as brain injuries and neurological diseases. Despite their importance, the potential to probe and modulate astrocyte molecular, functional, and morphological properties using intracellular light adsorbing nanoscale interfaces has been limited. In this study, we investigate the effects of fluorescent gold nanoclusters (fAuNCs) bound to bovine serum albumin (BSA) on the morphological, molecular, and functional properties of primary rat cortical astrocytes over an extended period. Treatment with fAuNCs‐BSA is not toxic over long term and induces notable morphological changes alongside alterations in whole‐cell chloride currents, cell volume regulation, and calcium signaling magnitude. To leverage the light‐absorbing properties of fAuNCs‐BSA, we expose acutely fAuNCs‐BSA‐treated astrocytes to LED blue light (λ_ex = 450 nm), which modulates potassium currents. Nanodiamond thermometry suggests that this effect results from local heating caused by photoexcitation of the nanoclusters. The potential of nanoclusters as a transformative approach for studying astrocyte function and their role in the biophysical mechanisms underlying neural communication is discussed.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced NanoBiomed Research
Published
2026-02-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/anbr.202500194
Primary Topic
Nanocluster Synthesis and Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Protein‐Template Gold Nanoclusters Induce Differentiation and Modify the Functional Properties of Primary Astrocytes

Denis Gentili, Emanuela Saracino, Diletta Spennato, Maria Grazia Raucci et al.
Advanced NanoBiomed Research
Nanocluster Synthesis and Applications
article

Protein‐Template Gold Nanoclusters Induce Differentiation and Modify the Functional Properties of Primary Astrocytes

Denis Gentili, Emanuela Saracino, Diletta Spennato, Maria Grazia Raucci, Marco Caprini, Maria Grazia Mola, Andrea Candini, A. A. Kovtun, Shashi P. Karna, Vincenzo Palermo, Anna Mariano, Marianna Barbalinardo, Roberto Aricó Zamboni, Raj K. Gupta, Valentina Benfenati, Wolfgang Losert, Roberta Fabbri, Grazia Paola Nicchia, Giorgia Conte, Karima Jeneh Perry
article en

Abstract

Astrocyte ion channels, water channels, and calcium signaling play vital roles in maintaining brain homeostasis, coordinating neural network activity, supporting cognitive functions, and mediating neurovascular coupling. Disruptions in astrocyte dynamics are causally linked to gliosis occurring in pathologies, such as brain injuries and neurological diseases. Despite their importance, the potential to probe and modulate astrocyte molecular, functional, and morphological properties using intracellular light adsorbing nanoscale interfaces has been limited. In this study, we investigate the effects of fluorescent gold nanoclusters (fAuNCs) bound to bovine serum albumin (BSA) on the morphological, molecular, and functional properties of primary rat cortical astrocytes over an extended period. Treatment with fAuNCs‐BSA is not toxic over long term and induces notable morphological changes alongside alterations in whole‐cell chloride currents, cell volume regulation, and calcium signaling magnitude. To leverage the light‐absorbing properties of fAuNCs‐BSA, we expose acutely fAuNCs‐BSA‐treated astrocytes to LED blue light (λ_ex = 450 nm), which modulates potassium currents. Nanodiamond thermometry suggests that this effect results from local heating caused by photoexcitation of the nanoclusters. The potential of nanoclusters as a transformative approach for studying astrocyte function and their role in the biophysical mechanisms underlying neural communication is discussed.

Advanced NanoBiomed Research
DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (US), United States Army Medical Research and Development Command (US), United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (US), Institute of Nanostructured Materials (IT), Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity (IT), Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (IT), LUM Jean Monnet University (IT), Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IT), Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IT), University of Bari Aldo Moro (IT), University of Maryland, College Park (US), University of Bologna (IT)
Clean water and sanitation
Openalex Percentile: Top 31%
Nanocluster Synthesis and Applications
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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