Remote Control and Modulation of Cellular Events by Plasmonic Gold Nanoparticles: Implications and Opportunities for Biomedical Applications

Compared to traditional hyperthermia methods, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) successfully achieve site-specific incremental temperature in deep tissues. By virtue of near-infrared (NIR) laser-mediated photothermal treatment, Au NPs have been widely explored in clinical and preclinical applications, including cancer therapy and tissue engineering. In this issue of ACS Nano, Suzuki, Ciofani, and colleagues demonstrate how gold nanoshells can remotely activate striated muscle cells via inducing myotube contraction and modulating related gene expression by mild heat stimulation under NIR irradiation. This Perspective provides a brief overview of the current developments and future outlook for multifunctional platforms based on Au NPs for cancer treatment, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.