Effect of silver nanoparticles on human primary keratinocytes

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have many biological applications in biomedicine, biotechnology and other life sciences. Depending on the size, shape and the type of carrier, AgNPs demonstrate different physical and chemical properties. AgNPs have strong antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal activity, thus they are used extensively in a range of medical settings, particularly in wound dressings but also in cosmetics. This study was undertaken to examine the potential toxic effects of 15 nm polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated AgNPs on primary normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK). Cells were treated with different concentrations of AgNPs and then cell viability, metabolic activity and other biological and biochemical aspects of keratinocytes functioning were studied. We observed that AgNPs decrease keratinocyte viability, metabolism and also proliferatory and migratory potential of these cells. Moreover, longer exposure resulted in activation of caspase 3/7 and DNA damage. Our studies show for the first time, that AgNPs may present possible danger for primary keratinocytes, concerning activation of genotoxic and cytotoxic processes depending on the concentration.

Effects triggered by platinum nanoparticles on primary keratinocytes

“…The level of DNA damage was tested by electrophoresis of single cells in agarose gel, with the experiment being carried out exactly as described before, 16 and two concentrations of PtNPs (12.5 and 25 µg/mL) were used at two time points (24 or 48 hours). The data were collected for 50 randomly selected comets from each slide.…”

“…All analyses were done using Hiro software version 1.0.0.4. 16 The experiment was performed three times, and the data were collected each time from 50 cells. Final data are presented as mean values for 150 cells.…”

“…16 The following antibodies and dilutions were used: Akt (1:1,000; Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, MA, USA), Phospho-Akt …”

“…16 However, they are among the most commercialized NPs due to their antimicrobial potential. We are surrounded by therapeutic agents, household products, textiles, and cosmetics containing silver NPs.…”

“…16 Cells seeded on 96-well plates (4 × 10 3 cells/well) were treated for 24 and 48 hours with PtNPs. The ATPlite™ luminescence assay system (PerkinElmer, Waltham, MA, USA) was used for ATP determination.…”