In recent decades, studies on the functional features of Se nanoparticles (SeNP) have gained great popularity due to their high biocompatibility, stability, and pronounced selectivity. A large number of works prove the anticarcinogenic effect of SeNP. In this work, the molecular mechanisms regulating the cytotoxic effects of SeNP, obtained by laser ablation, were studied by the example of four human cancer cell lines: A-172 (glioblastoma), Caco-2, (colorectal adenocarcinoma), DU-145 (prostate carcinoma), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma). It was found that SeNP had different concentration-dependent effects on cancer cells of the four studied human lines. SeNP at concentrations of less than 1 μg/mL had no cytotoxic effect on the studied cancer cells, with the exception of the A-172 cell line, for which 0.5 μg/mL SeNP was the minimum concentration affecting its metabolic activity. It was shown that SeNP concentration-dependently caused cancer cell apoptosis, but not necrosis. In addition, it was found that SeNP enhanced the expression of pro-apoptotic genes in almost all cancer cell lines, with the exception of Caco-2 and activated various pathways of adaptive and pro-apoptotic signaling pathways of UPR. Different effects of SeNP on the expression of ER-resident selenoproteins and selenium-containing glutathione peroxidases and thioredoxin reductases, depending on the cell line, were established. In addition, SeNP triggered Ca2+ signals in all investigated cancer cell lines. Different sensitivity of cancer cell lines to SeNP can determine the induction of the process of apoptosis in them through regulation of the Ca2+ signaling system, mechanisms of ER stress, and activation of various expression patterns of genes encoding pro-apoptotic proteins.

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The review presents the latest data on the role of selenium-containing agents in the regulation of diseases of the immune system. We mainly considered the contributions of selenium-containing compounds such as sodium selenite, methylseleninic acid, selenomethionine, and methylselenocysteine, as well as selenoproteins and selenium nanoparticles in the regulation of defense mechanisms against various viral infections, including coronavirus infection (COVID-19). A complete description of the available data for each of the above selenium compounds and the mechanisms underlying the regulation of immune processes with the active participation of these selenium agents, as well as their therapeutic and pharmacological potential, is presented. The main purpose of this review is to systematize the available information, supplemented by data obtained in our laboratory, on the important role of selenium compounds in all of these processes. In addition, the presented information makes it possible to understand the key differences in the mechanisms of action of these compounds, depending on their chemical and physical properties, which is important for obtaining a holistic picture and prospects for creating drugs based on them.

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The sodium selenite concentration that reduces the viability of Du-145 human prostate adenocarcinoma cells and F-9 mouse testicular teratocarcinoma cells was determined. We investigated the effect of sodium selenite on the mRNA expression level of the genes encoding mammalian selenocysteine-containing glutathione peroxidases and thioredoxin reductases (key antioxidant enzymes involved in the regulation of intracellular thiol redox balance), endoplasmic reticulum selenoproteins, and selenoproteins located in the testes and prostate.