Silica nanoparticle exposure during the neonatal period impairs hippocampal precursor proliferation and social behavior later in life

Abstract

IntroductionSilica nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs) are currently among the most widely used nanomaterials, but their potentially adverse effects on brain development remain unknown. The developing brain is extremely sensitive to NP neurotoxicity during the early postnatal period.Materials and methodsHerein, we investigated the effects of SiO2-NPs (doses of 10, 20, or 50 mg with a particle size of ~91 nm, equivalent to aerosol mass concentrations 55.56, 111.11, and 277.78 mg/m3, respectively) exposure from postnatal day (P) 1 to P7 on hippocampal precursor proliferation at P8 and long-term neurobehavior in adults.ResultsSiO2-NP exposure resulted in inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissue, microglia over-activation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG), and decreased hippocampal precursor proliferation in the DG-subgranular zone at P8. Moreover, after exposure to 20 mg of SiO2-NPs, mice exhibited social interaction deficits and slight anxiety-like behaviors in adulthood, but this exposure did not induce locomotor activity impairment, depression-like behavior, or short-term memory impairment.DiscussionThese findings suggest that early-age SiO2-NP exposure induced inflammation and inhibited precursor proliferation in the DG in a dose-dependent manner, which might be related to the social dysfunction observed in adulthood.

Maternal exposure to silicon dioxide nanoparticles reduces hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptogenesis and induces neurodegeneration in rat offspring hippocampus

“…It has been reported that direct exposure to SiO 2 -NPs via inhalation from PD1 to PD7 does not impair offspring's memory (Fu et al, 2018). In contrast, the present study showed that maternal exposure to these NPs during PD1 to PD21 impairs adulthood's cognitive performance.…”

“…Silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO 2 -NPs), also known as nanosilica, are extensively produced worldwide and used in many products such as ceramics, paints, consumer products, cosmetics, rubs, soups, coffee creamers and composites; and even as food additives (Mohammadipour et al, 2020;Li et al, 2020;Zhu et al, 2019). It is reported that more than 1.5 million tons of SiO 2 -NPs are produced annually, with a high rate of entry into the body (Fu et al, 2018;Mohammadipour and Abudayyak, 2021). Because of the ultra-small size, SiO 2 -NPs enter the body through inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact (Du et al, 2019;Hirai et al, 2012).…”

<p>Low-Dose Exposure of Silica Nanoparticles Induces Neurotoxicity via Neuroactive Ligand–Receptor Interaction Signaling Pathway in Zebrafish Embryos</p>

“…The widespread use of SiO 2 NPs in consumer products has caused controversy and concern due to its known neuro-, teratogenic, and developmental toxicity. [21][22][23] Our previous study showed that nano-scale silica particles can induce more severe cytotoxicity and autophagy dysfunction than micro-scale silica particles in a size-dependent manner. 24 Kim et al observed that approximately 60 nm SiO 2 NPs affect cells differently than nanoparticles of other sizes due to enhanced uptake.…”

Microglia activation in the mPFC mediates anxiety‐like behaviors caused by Staphylococcus aureus strain USA300

“…According to our previous method (Fu et al., 2018 ), mice were anesthetized and transcardially perfused with saline followed by 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA). Subsequently, the brains were postfixed in 30% sucrose solution with 4% PFA.…”