Journal of Jilin University Medicine Edition ›› 2015, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (03): 454-459.doi: 10.13481/j.1671-587x.20150304

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Toxicity of silica nanoparticles on vascular endothelial cells and its induction effect on apoptosis

XIA Yinye1,2, LI Yanbo2,3, NIU Piye1,2, WANG Hui4, WANG Yifei4, LIANG Baolu4, ZHAO Feng1,2, GUO Caixia1,2, SUN Zhiwei2,3   

  1. 1. Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China;
    2. Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China;
    3. Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China;
    4. Experimental Teaching Center for Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Captial Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
  • Received:2013-09-25 Published:2015-08-01

Abstract:

Objective To explore the cytotoxicity of silica nanoparticles(SiNPs) on the vascular endothelial cells and possible mechanism, and to provide reference for the study on the toxic effects and safety evaluation of SiNPs. Methods The in vitro cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were randomly divided into control and SiNPs exposure groups at the concentrations of 12.5, 25.0, 50.0, and 100.0 mg·L-1, respectively.Transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to determine the particle size, morphology and dispersion of SiNPs.After 24 h exposure, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) was used for the measurement of intracellular silicon level, MTT assay for the determination of cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay for membrane integrity, laser confocal microscope with DCFH-DA fluorescence probe for intracellular reactive oxygens pecies (ROS) level, DAPI staining under fluorescence microscope for the observation of nuclear morphology, flow cytometry (FCM) with Annexin Ⅴ and PI double staining for the measurement of apoptosis, and Rhodamine 123 kits for mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Results The TEM Results showed that SiNPs were mostly spherical with uniform size and well dispersed.The average particle size was (57.66±7.30) nm calculated by Image J software.Compared with control group, the cell viabilities in SiNPs exposure groups were decreased(P<0.05), while the intracellular silicon levels and LDH activities in medium were increased (P<0.05);the ROS levels were increased, the MMP was declined, and the apoptosis appeared.All the cell effects mentioned above were enlarged in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion SiNPs have toxicities to vascular endothelial cells, which could induce ROS generation and oxidative stress, further can do damage to cellular membrane and mitochondria, and thus lead to apoptosis eventually.

Key words: silica nanoparticle, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, mitochondrion

CLC Number: 

  • R994