title: Cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, apoptosis and the autophagic effects of silver nanoparticles in mouse embryonic fibroblasts.
abstract: With the advancement of nanotechnology, nanomaterials have been comprehensively applied in our modern society. However, the hazardous impacts of nanoscale particles on organisms have not yet been thoroughly clarified. Currently, there exist numerous approaches to perform toxicity tests, but common and reasonable bio-indicators for toxicity evaluations are lacking. In this study, we investigated the effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on NIH 3T3 cells to explore the potential application of these nanoparticles in consumer products. Our results demonstrated that AgNPs were taken up by NIH 3T3 cells and localized within the intracellular endosomal compartments. Exposure to AgNPs is a potential source of oxidative stress, which leads to the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the up-regulation of Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) expression, apoptosis and autophagy. Interestingly, AgNPs induced morphological and biochemical markers of autophagy in NIH 3T3 cells and induced autophagosome formation, as evidenced by transmission electron microscopic analysis, the formation of microtubule-associated protein-1 light chain-3 (LC3) puncta and the expression of LC3-II protein. Thus, autophagy activation may be a key player in the cellular response against nano-toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng Kung University, Medical College, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan 704, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Hsuan
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Institute of Oral Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Fong-Yu
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng Kung University, Medical College, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan 704, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hui-Wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jui-Chen
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng Kung University, Medical College, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan 704, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chun-Yong
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health, Ministry of Labor, 99, Lane 407, Hengke Road, Shijr, Taipei 22143, Taiwan. Electronic address: wann@mail.iosh.gov.tw.
authors.forename: Chun-Wan
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng Kung University, Medical College, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan 704, Taiwan. Electronic address: yjwang@mail.ncku.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Ying-Jan
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001343:Autophagy / Q000187:drug effects; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1 / Q000235:genetics; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012834:Silver / Q000633:toxicity*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012834:Silver; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1
keywords: Apoptosis; Autophagy; Cellular uptake; Cytotoxicity; Nanoparticle; ROS