Silver nanoparticles induce cytotoxicity by a Trojan-horse type mechanism.
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely applied in many household products and medical uses. However, studies on the effects of AgNPs on human health and environmental implications are in the beginning stage. Furthermore, most data on the toxicity of AgNPs have been generated using nanoparticles modified with detergents to prevent agglomeration, which may alter their toxicities. In this study, we studied toxicity using AgNPs prepared by dispersing them in fetal bovine serum (FBS), biocompatible materials. AgNPs (average size; 68.9 nm, concentrations; 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 ppm, exposure time; 24, 48, 72, and 96h) showed cytotoxicity to cultured RAW264.7 cells by increasing sub G1 fraction, which indicates cellular apoptosis. AgNPs decreased intracellular glutathione level, increased NO secretion, increased TNF-alpha in protein and gene levels, and increased gene expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, MMP-11, and MMP-19). When cells were treated with AgNPs, they were observed in the cytosol of the activated cells, but were not observed in the dead cells. It seemed that AgNPs were ionized in the cells to cause cytotoxicity by a Trojan-horse type mechanism suggested by previously reported studies.
Park
Eun-Jung
EJ
College of Pharmacy, Dongduk Women's University, 23-1 Wolgok-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-714, Republic of Korea.
Yi
Jongheop
J
Kim
Younghun
Y
Choi
Kyunghee
K
Park
Kwangsik
K
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000633:toxicity*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D003470:Culture Media; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010316:Particle Size; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012834:Silver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003470:Culture Media; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D012834:Silver; D012313:RNA; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D005978:Glutathione