title: In vitro cytotoxicity of SiO2 or ZnO nanoparticles with different sizes and surface charges on U373MG human glioblastoma cells.
abstract: Silicon dioxide (SiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are widely used in various applications, raising issues regarding the possible adverse effects of these metal oxide nanoparticles on human cells. In this study, we determined the cytotoxic effects of differently charged SiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles, with mean sizes of either 100 or 20 nm, on the U373MG human glioblastoma cell line. The overall cytotoxicity of ZnO nanoparticles against U373MG cells was significantly higher than that of SiO2 nanoparticles. Neither the size nor the surface charge of the ZnO nanoparticles affected their cytotoxicity against U373MG cells. The 20 nm SiO2 nanoparticles were more toxic than the 100 nm nanoparticles against U373MG cells, but the surface charge had little or no effect on their cytotoxicity. Both SiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles activated caspase-3 and induced DNA fragmentation in U373MG cells, suggesting the induction of apoptosis. Thus, SiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles appear to exert cytotoxic effects against U373MG cells, possibly via apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science, Gachon University, Seongnam-Si, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science, Gachon University, Seongnam-Si, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hyejin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Bionano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam-Si, South Korea.
authors.forename: Seong Soo A
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: An
authors.affiliation: Korea Testing and Research Institute, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Ho
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Maeng
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University Medical School and College, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Meyoung-Kon
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science, Gachon University, Seongnam-Si, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yoon-Jae
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D005909:Glioblastoma; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D015034:Zinc Oxide
keywords: apoptosis