Exploring the cellular antioxidant mechanism against cytotoxic silver nanoparticles: a Raman spectroscopic analysis
Davide Redolfi-Bristol1,2,3, Kenta Yamamoto2, Elia Marin1,4,5
1Ceramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, 606-8585, Kyoto, Japan. davide.redolfi@unive.it.
Nanoscale
|May 2, 2024
Summary
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) show size- and time-dependent toxicity in human cells, with smaller AgNPs causing long-term harm. Antioxidant proteins help mitigate damage, suggesting pathways for safer nanomaterial development.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Science
- Toxicology
Background:
- Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have diverse applications but their sublethal effects and cellular responses are not fully understood.
- Concerns exist regarding human and ecological well-being due to AgNP incorporation in consumer products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cytotoxicity and cellular antioxidant responses of AgNPs at sublethal concentrations.
- To evaluate the time- and size-dependent toxicity of AgNPs in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF).
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of AgNPs of varying sizes and assessment of their cytotoxicity against HDF.
- In-time investigation of intracellular molecular variations using Raman microspectroscopy.
- Confirmation of antioxidant protein efficacy using fluorescence microscopy.
Main Results:
- AgNP toxicity is time- and size-dependent, with smaller NPs showing higher long-term impact.
- Subtle protein and lipid degradation observed, but no DNA damage, within 24 hours.
- Increased antioxidant protein (SOD, CAT, MTs) signals indicate a cellular defense response.
Conclusions:
- AgNPs exhibit low short-term but significant long-term cytotoxicity, particularly smaller particles.
- Overexpressed antioxidant proteins effectively mitigate reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation.
- Findings provide insights into AgNP cytotoxicity mechanisms and inform safer material development and regulatory guidelines.
