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Intracellular ROS levels determine the apoptotic potential of keratinocyte by Quantum Dot via blockade of AKT Phosphorylation
Author(s) -
Lee Eun Young,
Bae Hyun Cheol,
Lee Hana,
Jang Yeonsue,
Park YoonHee,
Kim Jin Hee,
Ryu WooIn,
Choi Byeong Hyeok,
Kim Ji Hyun,
Jeong Sang Hoon,
Son Sang Wook
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0625
pISSN - 0906-6705
DOI - 10.1111/exd.13365
Subject(s) - protein kinase b , apoptosis , microbiology and biotechnology , phosphorylation , chemistry , reactive oxygen species , intracellular , pi3k/akt/mtor pathway , keratinocyte , caspase , biology , biochemistry , programmed cell death , in vitro
Quantum dots ( QD s) have shown great potential for biomedical use in a broad range including diagnostic agents. However, the regulatory mechanism of dermal toxicity is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated how QD s‐induced apoptosis is regulated in human keratinocytes. We also examined the effect of carboxylic acid‐coated QD s ( QD 565 and QD 655) on reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) production and apoptosis‐related cellular signalling. The viability of keratinocyte was inhibited by two types of QD s in a concentration‐dependent manner. QD s induce ROS production and blockade of AKT phosphorylation. Moreover, the cleavage of AKT ‐dependent pro‐apoptotic proteins such as poly ( ADP ‐ribose) polymerase, caspases‐3 and caspases‐9 was significantly increased. We also found that a decrease in cellular ROS level by ROS scavenger, N‐acetylcysteine ( NAC ), resulting in the abolishment of QD s‐induced AKT de‐phosphorylation and cellular apoptosis. Interestingly, QD 655 had a more cytotoxic effect including oxidative stress and AKT ‐dependent apoptosis than QD 565. In addition, QD 655 had the cytotoxic potential in the human skin equivalent model ( HSEM ). These data show that QD ‐induced intracellular ROS levels may be an important parameter in QD ‐induced apoptosis. These findings from this study indicate that intracellular ROS levels might determine the apoptotic potential of keratinocyte by QD via blockade of AKT phosphorylation.