Disturbance of cellular homeostasis as a molecular risk evaluation of human endothelial cells exposed to nanoparticles

Chia nanoemulsion: anti-inflammatory mechanism, biological behavior and cellular interactions

Aim: This study explores chia oil, rich in ω-3 fatty acids and nutraceutical components, as a potential remedy for diseases, especially those linked to inflammation and cancer. Methods/materials: A chia oil-based nanoemulsion, developed through single emulsification, underwent comprehensive analysis using various techniques. In vitro and in vivo assays, including macrophage polarization, nitrite and cytokine production, cellular uptake and biodistribution, were conducted to assess the anti-inflammatory efficacy. Results & conclusion: Results reveal that the chia nanoemulsion significantly inhibits inflammation, outperforming pure oil with twice the efficacy. Enhanced uptake by macrophage-like cells and substantial accumulation in key organs indicate its potential as an economical and effective anti-inflammatory nanodrug, addressing global economic and health impacts of inflammation-related diseases.

Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles from Cyperus conglomeratus Root Extract Inhibit Osteogenic Differentiation of Immortalized Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

BACKGROUND

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are a focus of huge interest in biological research, including stem cell research. AgNPs synthesized using Cyperus conglomeratus root extract have been previously reported but their effects on mesenchymal stromal cells have yet to be investigated.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of C. conglomeratus-derived AgNPs on adipogenesis and osteogenesis of mesenchymal stromal cells.

METHODS

AgNPs were synthesized using C. conglomeratus root extract, and the phytochemicals involved in AgNPs synthesis were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). The cytotoxicity of the AgNPs was tested on telomerase-transformed immortalized human bone marrow-derived MSCs-hTERT (iMSC3) and human osteosarcoma cell line (MG-63) using MTT and apoptosis assays. The uptake of AgNPs by both cells was confirmed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Furthermore, the effect of AgNPs on iMSC3 adipogenesis and osteogenesis was analyzed using stain quantification and reverse transcription- quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

RESULTS

The phytochemicals predominately identified in both the AgNPs and C. conglomeratus root extract were carbohydrates. The AgNP concentrations tested using MTT and apoptosis assays (0.5-64 µg/ml and 1,4 and 32 µg/ml, respectively) showed no significant cytotoxicity on iMSC3 and MG-63. The AgNPs were internalized in a concentration-dependent manner in both cell types. Additionally, the AgNPs exhibited a significant negative effect on osteogenesis but not on adipogenesis.

CONCLUSION

C. conglomeratus-derived AgNPs had an impact on the differentiation capacity of iMSC3. Our results indicated that C. conglomeratus AgNPs and the associated phytochemicals could exhibit potential medical applications.

Nano-based formulations of curcumin: elucidating the potential benefits and future prospects in skin cancer

Skin cancer refers to any malignant lesions that occur in the skin and are observed predominantly in populations of European descent. Conventional treatment modalities such as excision biopsy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, electrodesiccation, and photodynamic therapy (PDT) induce several unintended side effects which affect a patient's quality of life and physical well-being. Therefore, spice-derived nutraceuticals like curcumin, which are well tolerated, less expensive, and relatively safe, have been considered a promising agent for skin cancer treatment. Curcumin, a chemical constituent extracted from the Indian spice, turmeric, and its analogues has been used in various mammalian cancers including skin cancer. Curcumin has anti-neoplastic activity by triggering the process of apoptosis and preventing the multiplication and infiltration of the cancer cells by inhibiting some signaling pathways and thus subsequently preventing the process of carcinogenesis. Curcumin is also a photosensitizer and has been used in PDT. The major limitations associated with curcumin are poor bioavailability, instability, limited permeation into the skin, and lack of solubility in water. This will constrain the use of curcumin in clinical settings. Hence, developing a proper formulation that can ideally release curcumin to its targeted site is important. So, several nanoformulations based on curcumin have been established such as nanogels, nanoemulsions, nanofibers, nanopatterned films, nanoliposomes and nanoniosomes, nanodisks, and cyclodextrins. The present review mainly focuses on curcumin and its analogues as therapeutic agents for treating different types of skin cancers. The significance of using various nanoformulations as well non-nanoformulations loaded with curcumin as an effective treatment modality for skin cancer is also emphasized.

Comparison of tyrosine-modified low molecular weight branched and linear polyethylenimines for siRNA delivery

Polyethylenimines (PEIs) have been previously introduced for siRNA delivery. In particular, in the case of higher molecular weight PEIs, this is associated with toxicity, while low molecular weight PEIs are often insufficient for siRNA complexation. The tyrosine-modification of PEIs has been shown to enhance PEI efficacy and biocompatibility. This paper evaluates a set of tyrosine-modified low molecular weight linear or branched polyethylenimines as efficient carriers of siRNA. Complexation efficacies and biophysical complex properties were analyzed by zeta potential, dynamic light scattering and circular dichroism measurements as well as gel electrophoresis. Biological knockdown was studied in 2 D cell culture and 3 D ex vivo tissue slice air-liquid interface culture. The results demonstrate that siRNAs were able to form stable complexes with all tested polymers. Complexation was able to protect siRNA from degradation by RNase and to mediate target gene knockdown, as determined on the mRNA level and in PC3-Luc3/EGFP and HCT116-Luc3/EGFP expressing reporter cells on the protein level, using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. The direct comparison of the studied polymers revealed differences in biological efficacies. Moreover, the tyrosine-modified PEIs showed high biocompatibility, as determined by LDH release and mitochondria integrity (J-aggregate assay) as well as caspase 3/7 (apoptosis) and H₂O₂ levels (ROS). In 3 D tissue slices, complexes based on LP10Y proved to be most efficient, by combining tissue penetration with efficient gene expression knockdown.

Different Strategies to Attenuate the Toxic Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Spermatogonia Cells

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are one of the most used nanoparticles due to their unique physicochemical and biological properties. There is, however, a growing concern about their negative impact on male reproductive health. Therefore, in the present study, two different strategies were used to evaluate the recovery ability of spermatogonia cells from the first stage of spermatogenesis (GC-1 spg cell line) after being exposed to a cytotoxic concentration of ZnO NPs (20 µg/mL) for two different short time periods, 6 and 12 h. The first strategy was to let the GC-1 cells recover after ZnO NPs exposure in a ZnO NPs-free medium for 4 days. At this phase, cell viability assays were performed to evaluate whether this period was long enough to allow for cell recovery. Exposure to ZnO NPs for 6 h and 12 h induced a decrease in viability of 25% and 41%, respectively. However, the recovery period allowed for an increase in cell viability from 16% to 25% to values as high as 91% and 84%. These results strongly suggest that GC-1 cells recover, but not completely, given that the cell viability does not reach 100%. Additionally, the impact of a synthetic chalcone (E)-3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (1) to counteract the reproductive toxicity of ZnO NPs was investigated. Different concentrations of chalcone 1 (0-12.5 µM) were used before and during exposure of GC-1 cells to ZnO NPs to mitigate the damage induced by NPs. The protective ability of this compound was evaluated through viability assays, levels of DNA damage, and cytoskeleton dynamics (evaluating the acetylated α-tubulin and β-actin protein levels). The results indicated that the tested concentrations of chalcone 1 can attenuate the genotoxicity induced by ZnO NPs for shorter exposure periods (6 h). Chalcone 1 supplementation also increased cell viability and stabilized the microtubules. However, the antioxidant potential of this compound remains to be elucidated. In conclusion, this work addressed the main cytotoxic effects of ZnO NPs on a spermatogonia cell line and analyzed two different strategies to mitigate this damage, which represent a significant contribution to the field of male fertility.

Nanoparticle conjugated with aptamer anti-MUC1/Y for inflammatory arthritis

Aptamers may form well-defined three-dimensional structures binding with high affinity and stability to a specific receptor. The aptamer anti-MUC1 isoform Y is one the most used due the affinity to MUC1, which is overexpressed in several types of cancer and inflammation process. In this study we have developed, characterized, in vitro as in vivo evaluated a nanoaptamer (anti-MUC1/Y) as a nanoagent for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. The results showed that a nanoaptamer with a size range of 241 nm was produced. The entrapment efficacy was 90% with a biodistribution showing a high hepatic uptake (>98%). The results in vivo showed a potent effect in arthritis experimental model, especially in low doses. The results corroborate the applicability of this nanosystem for RA treatment.

Silica-coated magnetic-nanoparticle-induced cytotoxicity is reduced in microglia by glutathione and citrate identified using integrated omics

BACKGROUND

Nanoparticles have been utilized in brain research and therapeutics, including imaging, diagnosis, and drug delivery, owing to their versatile properties compared to bulk materials. However, exposure to nanoparticles leads to their accumulation in the brain, but drug development to counteract this nanotoxicity remains challenging. To date, concerns have risen about the potential toxicity to the brain associated with nanoparticles exposure via penetration of the brain blood barrier to address this issue.

METHODS

Here the effect of silica-coated-magnetic nanoparticles containing the rhodamine B isothiocyanate dye [MNPs@SiO2(RITC)] were assessed on microglia through toxicological investigation, including biological analysis and integration of transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. MNPs@SiO2(RITC)-induced biological changes, such as morphology, generation of reactive oxygen species, intracellular accumulation of MNPs@SiO2(RITC) using transmission electron microscopy, and glucose uptake efficiency, were analyzed in BV2 murine microglial cells. Each omics data was collected via RNA-sequencing-based transcriptome analysis, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based proteome analysis, and gas chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolome analysis. The three omics datasets were integrated and generated as a single network using a machine learning algorithm. Nineteen compounds were screened and predicted their effects on nanotoxicity within the triple-omics network.

RESULTS

Intracellular reactive oxygen species production, an inflammatory response, and morphological activation of cells were greater, but glucose uptake was lower in MNPs@SiO2(RITC)-treated BV2 microglia and primary rat microglia in a dose-dependent manner. Expression of 121 genes (from 41,214 identified genes), and levels of 45 proteins (from 5918 identified proteins) and 17 metabolites (from 47 identified metabolites) related to the above phenomena changed in MNPs@SiO2(RITC)-treated microglia. A combination of glutathione and citrate attenuated nanotoxicity induced by MNPs@SiO2(RITC) and ten other nanoparticles in vitro and in the murine brain, protecting mostly the hippocampus and thalamus.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination of glutathione and citrate can be one of the candidates for nanotoxicity alleviating drug against MNPs@SiO2(RITC) induced detrimental effect, including elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species level, activation of microglia, and reduction in glucose uptake efficiency. In addition, our findings indicate that an integrated triple omics approach provides useful and sensitive toxicological assessment for nanoparticles and screening of drug for nanotoxicity.

Distinct Methodologies to Produce Capped Mesoporous Silica with Hydroxyapatite and the Influence in Intracellular Signaling as Cytotoxicity on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Mesoporous silica has unique properties such as controllable mesoporous structure and size, good biocompatibility, high specific surface area, and large pore volume. For that reason, this material has been broadly functionalized for biomedical applications, such as optical imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound imaging, and widely employed as drug delivery systems. In this study, we synthesized fiber-type mesoporous silica capped with hydroxyapatite (ordered SiO₂-CaO-P₂O₅ mesoporous silica). Its biological activity was evaluated through a cellular and molecular approach using HUVEC cell culture. Two distinct methodologies have produced the ordered SiO₂-CaO-P₂O₅ mesoporous silica: (i) two-step Ca-doped silica matrix followed by hydroxyapatite crystallization inside the Ca-doped silica matrix and (ii) one-step Ca-doped silica matrix formed with the hydroxyapatite crystallization. Further analysis included: elemental analysis, transmission, scanning electron microscopy images, Small and Wide-Angle X-ray Diffraction analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared, and in vitro assays with HUVEC (cytotoxicity and immunoblotting). The hydroxyapatite capping methodology significantly affected the original mesoporous material structure. Furthermore, no cellular or molecular effect has been observed. The promising results presented here suggest that the one-step method to obtain hydroxyapatite capped mesoporous silica was effective, also demonstrating that this material has potential in biomedical applications.

The effect of nanoparticles of cobalt-chromium on human aortic endothelial cells in vitro

Despite advances in stent technology for vascular interventions, in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a main complication. The corrosion of cobalt-chromium (CoCr) alloy coronary stents has been identified to be associated with ISR, whereas its role in ISR has not been elucidated. In the current work, CoCr nanoparticles, simulated corrosion products of CoCr alloy, were used to investigate their effect on the endothelial cells. It has been demonstrated that the cell viability declines and the cell membrane is damaged, indicating the cytotoxicity of CoCr nanoparticles. The expression of GRP78, CHOP, and cleaved-caspase12 proteins has increased when exposed to CoCr nanoparticles, suggesting that CoCr nanoparticles induced cell apoptosis through endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated apoptotic pathway. An increased release of adhesion and inflammatory mediators was also induced by CoCr nanoparticles, including ICAM-1, VCAM-1, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Our results demonstrated that CoCr nanoparticles could trigger apoptosis, adhesion, and inflammation. These findings indicated potential damaging effects of CoCr nanoparticles on the vascular endothelium, which suggested corrosion of CoCr alloy may promote the progression and development of ISR.