Nanoparticle-cell-nanoparticle communication by stigmergy to enhance poly(I:C) induced apoptosis in cancer cells.

Nanoparticle-cell-nanoparticle communication by stigmergy was demonstrated using two capped nanodevices. The first community of nanoparticles (i.e.S(RA)(IFN)) is loaded with 9-cis-retinoic acid and capped with interferon-gamma, whereas the second community of nanoparticles (i.e.S(sulf)(PIC)) is loaded with sulforhodamine B and capped with poly(I:C). The uptake ofS(RA)(IFN)by SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells enhanced the expression of TLR3 receptor facilitating the subsequent uptake ofS(sulf)(PIC)and cell killing.