Gold nanoparticles inhibit VEGF165-induced proliferation of HUVEC cells

Gold nanoparticles inhibit VEGF165, a heparin binding growth factor, induced proliferation of HUVEC cells but do not interfere with the activity of VEGF121, a non-heparin binding growth factor. The interaction between gold nanoparticles and VEGF165 primarily occurs through the heparin binding domain of the protein. VEGF121 does not have a heparin binding domain and hence is not inactivated by gold nanoparticles.