Silver nanoparticle induced toxicity and cell death mechanisms in embryonic zebrafish cells
Ana C. Quevedo, Iseult Lynch, Eugenia Valsami‐Jones
Abstract
) were used to investigate whether the size of the nanomaterial, ionic form, and mass concentration were related to the activation of particular cell death mechanisms and/or induction of different signalling pathways. Changes in the physicochemical properties of the AgNPs were also assessed in the presence of complex medium (cell culture) and reference testing medium (ultra-pure water). Results demonstrated that AgNPs underwent dissolution, as well as changes in hydrodynamic size, zeta potential and polydispersity index in both tested media depending on particle size and concentration. Similarly, exposure dose played a key role in regulating the different cell death modalities (apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy), and the signalling pathways (repair mechanisms) in cells that were activated in the attempt to overcome the induced damage. This study contributes to the 3Rs initiative to replace, reduce and refine animal experimentation through the use of alternative models for nanomaterials assessment.