Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely used in a variety of applications in innovative development; consequently, people are more exposed to this particle. Growing concern about toxicity from AgNP exposure has attracted greater attention, while questions about nanosilver-responsive genes and consequences for human health remain unanswered. By considering early detection and prevention of nanotoxicology at the genetic level, this study aimed to identify 1) changes in gene expression levels that could be potential indicators for AgNP toxicity and 2) morphological phenotypes correlating to toxicity of HepG2 cells. To detect possible nanosilver-responsive genes in xenogenic targeted organs, a comprehensive systematic literature review of changes in gene expression in HepG2 cells after AgNP exposure and in silico method, connection up- and down-regulation expression analysis of microarrays (CU-DREAM), were performed. In addition, cells were extracted and processed for transmission electron microscopy to examine ultrastructural alterations. From the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) Series database, we selected genes that were up- and down-regulated in AgNPs, but not up- and down-regulated in silver ion exposed cells, as nanosilver-responsive genes. HepG2 cells in the AgNP-treated group showed distinct ultrastructural alterations. Our results suggested potential representative gene data after AgNPs exposure provide insight into assessment and prediction of toxicity from nanosilver exposure.
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Abbreviations
- Ag+:
-
Silver ion
- AgNPs:
-
Silver nanoparticles
- CCD:
-
Charge-coupled device
- CEBP:
-
CCAAT enhancer binding protein
- CEBPA:
-
CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha
- CEBPB:
-
CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta
- CU-DREAM:
-
Connection up- and down-regulation expression analysis of microarrays
- FITC:
-
Fluorescein isothiocyanate
- GEO:
-
Gene Expression Omnibus
- IC50:
-
Half maximal inhibitory concentration
- ICP-OES:
-
Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry
- LC3:
-
Microtubule-associated protein light chain 3
- PBS:
-
Phosphatebuffered saline
- PI:
-
Propidium iodide
- PVDF:
-
Polyvinylidene difluoride
- TEM:
-
Transmission electron microscopy
- UV:
-
Ultraviolet
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This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Sooklert, K., Wongjarupong, A., Cherdchom, S. et al. Molecular and Morphological Evidence of Hepatotoxicity after Silver Nanoparticle Exposure: A Systematic Review, In Silico, and Ultrastructure Investigation. Toxicol Res. 35, 257–270 (2019). https://doi.org/10.5487/TR.2019.35.3.257
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5487/TR.2019.35.3.257