Size and dose dependent effects of silver nanoparticle exposure on intestinal permeability in an in vitro model of the human gut epithelium

Abstract

BackgroundThe antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) has led to interest in their use in consumer products such as food contact materials, utensils, and storage containers. Incorporation of these materials into items intended for food processing and storage suggests that consumer use of these products could result in gastrointestinal exposure to AgNP, should the nanoparticles migrate from the product. The health impact of AgNP exposure is unknown, especially effects related to intestinal epithelial permeability and barrier function. This study examined the effects of AgNP exposure of different sizes (10, 20, 75 and 110 nm) and doses (20 and 100 µg/mL) on the permeability of T84 human colonic epithelial cells, which serve as an in vitro model of the human gut epithelium.ResultsResults showed that effects of AgNP on the T84 epithelial cells were size- and dose-dependent, with the 10 nm AgNP causing the most significant changes. Changes in permeability of the epithelial cell monolayer, as measured by transepithelial electrical resistance, after exposure to 10 nm AgNP were most dramatic at the highest dose (100 µg/mL), but also observed at the lower dose (20 µg/mL). AgNP could be visualized inside cells using transmission electron microscopy and silver was detected in basal wells using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Exposure to AgNP significantly affected the expression of genes involved in anchoring tight junctions, cellular proliferation and signaling, endocytosis, and cell–cell adhesion, with the 10 nm AgNP having the greatest effect.ConclusionsThe results of this study show that small-size AgNP have significant effects on intestinal permeability in an in vitro model of the human gastrointestinal epithelium. Such effects have the potential to compromise the integrity of the intestinal epithelium and this disruption of barrier function could have health consequences for the gastrointestinal tract.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12951-016-0214-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

An Integrated In Vitro–In Silico Approach for Silver Nanoparticle Dosimetry in Cell Cultures

“…Mouse and zebrafish models exposed to ENMs, for example, showed nanotoxicity effects on female reproductive and fetal development 26,39 . In vitro, dose-dependent Ag NPs induced cellular necrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress in living organisms in a size-specific manner 5,15,23,29,33,49 . The oxidative stress was further related to the anti-microbial activity of Ag NPs affecting different types of pathogens 8,14,38 .…”

Silver Nanoparticles Alter Cell Adhesion and Proliferation of Sheep Primary Mesothelial Cells

“…opposite effects of the same NP at low and high concentrations) and this, as well as the different nature of NPs used in the two studies, could explain the differences in cell adhesion mentioned above (13). In addition, one should take into account that different types of NPs may have completely different effects at the same sizes and concentrations (14). in vivo 32: 109-112 (2018) Our findings could be due to NP-mediated disruption of the microtubule network resulting in stronger substrate adhesion, a mechanism described in oral mucosa cells exposed to silica, titanium and hydroxyapatite NPs (15).…”

Analysis of the Exposure of Organisms to the Action of Nanomaterials

“…Exposure to AgNPs significantly affected the expression of genes involved in proliferation, cell signaling, endocytosis and cell-cell adhesion. Such effects may potentially threaten the integrity of the intestinal epithelium and, as a consequence, disrupt the barrier functions of the gastrointestinal tract [109]. Ng et al studied ZnO NPs toxicological profiles in MRC5 human lung fibroblasts in vitro.…”