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Silicon‐based quantum dots induce inflammation in human lung cells and disrupt extracellular matrix homeostasis
Author(s) -
Stan MirunaSilvia,
Sima Cornelia,
Cinteza Ludmila Otilia,
Dinischiotu Anca
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the febs journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.981
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1742-4658
pISSN - 1742-464X
DOI - 10.1111/febs.13330
Subject(s) - extracellular matrix , homeostasis , inflammation , microbiology and biotechnology , quantum dot , matrix (chemical analysis) , human lung , extracellular , lung , nanotechnology , chemistry , biology , materials science , immunology , medicine , chromatography
Quantum dots ( QD s) are nanocrystalline semiconductor materials that have been tested for biological applications such as cancer therapy, cellular imaging and drug delivery, despite the serious lack of information of their effects on mammalian cells. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of Si/SiO 2 QD s to induce an inflammatory response in MRC ‐5 human lung fibroblasts. Cells were exposed to different concentrations of Si/SiO 2 QD s (25–200 μg·mL −1 ) for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. The results obtained showed that uptake of QD s was dependent on biocorona formation and the stability of nanoparticles in various biological media (minimum essential medium without or with 10% fetal bovine serum). The cell membrane damage indicated by the increase in lactate dehydrogenase release after exposure to QD s was dose‐ and time‐dependent. The level of lysosomes increased proportionally with the concentration of QD s, whereas an accumulation of autophagosomes was also observed. Cellular morphology was affected, as shown by the disruption of actin filaments. The enhanced release of nitric oxide and the increase in interleukin‐6 and interleukin‐8 protein expression suggested that nanoparticles triggered an inflammatory response in MRC ‐5 cells. QD s decreased the protein expression and enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinase ( MMP )‐2 and MMP ‐9 and also MMP ‐1 caseinase activity, whereas the protein levels of MMP ‐1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 increased. The present study reveals for the first time that silicon‐based QD s are able to generate inflammation in lung cells and cause an imbalance in extracellular matrix turnover through a differential regulation of MMP s and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 protein expression.