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Reactive oxygen species acts as executor in radiation enhancement and autophagy inducing by AgNPs
Hao Wu1, Jun Lin2, Peidang Liu3
1State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, PR China.
Abstract:
Malignant glioma is one of the most common intracranial tumor with a dismal prognosis. The radiosensitizing effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on glioma both in vitro and in vivo were demonstrated in the previous studies of our group. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. In this present study, the use of antioxidants is employed for the regulating of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in U251 cells treated with various agents, and the results shows that ROS played an essential role in the autophagy inducing and radiosensitization effect of AgNPs. Moreover, the inhibition of protective autophagy with 3-MA is another way to increase ROS, resulting in the increasing of cell death and apoptosis. Taken together, understanding the relationship between the elevated ROS and autophagy and the effect of ROS should be useful to the clinical applications of AgNPs. These findings could potentially be exploited for new therapeutic strategies in glioma radiotherapy.
Insights
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) enhance glioma radiotherapy by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS), which induces autophagy. Inhibiting autophagy further boosts ROS, leading to increased cancer cell death and apoptosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanotechnology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Malignant glioma is a prevalent brain tumor with poor outcomes.
- Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have shown radiosensitizing effects on glioma.
- The precise mechanism of AgNPs' radiosensitization in glioma remains elusive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the radiosensitization and autophagy induction by AgNPs in glioma cells.
- To investigate the interplay between ROS and autophagy in mediating AgNPs' effects on U251 glioma cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized antioxidants to modulate ROS levels in U251 cells treated with AgNPs and other agents.
- Examined the impact of inhibiting autophagy using 3-methyladenine (3-MA) on ROS levels and cell death.
- Assessed cell death and apoptosis following various treatment conditions.
Main Results:
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role in mediating the autophagy-inducing and radiosensitizing effects of AgNPs in glioma cells.
- Inhibition of protective autophagy with 3-MA leads to elevated ROS levels.
- Increased ROS levels, particularly when autophagy is inhibited, significantly enhance glioma cell death and apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- The study clarifies the mechanism by which AgNPs enhance glioma radiotherapy, highlighting the crucial role of ROS and autophagy.
- Understanding the ROS-autophagy relationship is vital for optimizing AgNP-based therapeutic strategies.
- These findings pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches in glioma radiotherapy using AgNPs.
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