Ag-NPs induce apoptosis, mitochondrial damages and MT3/OSGIN2 expression changes in an in vitro model of human dental-pulp-stem-cells-derived neurons

Abstract Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) are one of the most popular nanotechnologies because of their unique antibacterial and antifungal properties. Given their increasing use in a wide range of commercial, biomedical and food products, exposure to Ag-NPs is now a reality in people’s lives. However, there is a serious lack of information regarding their potential toxic effects in the central nervous system. In this study, we investigated the biocompatibility of “homemade” Ag-NPs in an in vitro model of human neurons derived from dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells. Our results showed that acute exposure to Ag-NPs cause cytotoxicity, by triggering cell apoptosis, damaging neuronal connections, affecting the mitochondrial activity and changing the mRNA expression level of MT3 and OSGIN2 , two genes involved in heavy metals metabolism and cellular growth during oxidative stress conditions. Further studies are needed to understand the molecular mechanisms and the physiological consequences underlying Ag-NPs exposure.