title: Cell-protection mechanism through autophagy in HGFs/S. mitis co-culture treated with Chitlac-nAg.
abstract: Silver-based products have been proven to be effective in retarding and preventing bacterial growth since ancient times. In the field of restorative dentistry, the use of silver ions/nanoparticles has been explored to counteract bacterial infections, as silver can destroy bacterial cell walls by reacting with membrane proteins. However, it is also cytotoxic towards eukaryotic cells, which are capable of internalizing nanoparticles. In this work, we investigated the biological effects of Chitlac-nAg, a colloidal system based on a modified chitosan (Chitlac), administered for 24-48 h to a co-culture of primary human gingival fibroblasts and Streptococcus mitis in the presence of saliva, developed to mimic the microenvironment of the oral cavity. We sought to determine its efficiency to combat oral hygiene-related diseases without affecting eukaryotic cells. Cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species production, apoptosis induction, nanoparticles uptake, and lysosome and autophagosome metabolism were evaluated. In vitro results show that Chitlac-nAg does not exert cytotoxic effects on human gingival fibroblasts, which seem to survive through a homoeostasis mechanism involving autophagy. That suggests that the novel biomaterial Chitlac-nAg could be a promising tool in the field of dentistry.
authors: Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.|Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, University Hospital Regensburg, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors: Marialucia
authors: M
authors: Gallorini
authors: Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy. v.digiacomo@unich.it.
authors: Viviana
authors: V
authors: di Giacomo
authors: Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Di Valerio
authors: Genetic Molecular Institute of CNR, Unit of Chieti, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Rapino
authors: Genetic Molecular Institute of CNR, Unit of Chieti, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
authors: Domenico
authors: D
authors: Bosco
authors: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Travan
authors: Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
authors: Mara
authors: M
authors: Di Giulio
authors: Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Di Pietro
authors: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors: Sergio
authors: S
authors: Paoletti
authors: Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
authors: Amelia
authors: A
authors: Cataldi
authors: Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Sancilio
mesh_terms: D001343:Autophagy; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival; D048271:Chitosan / Q000494:pharmacology; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry; D003764:Dental Materials; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000737:chemistry; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000737:chemistry; D012834:Silver / Q000494:pharmacology; D034361:Streptococcus mitis / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D003764:Dental Materials; D007477:Ions; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012834:Silver; D048271:Chitosan; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase