Investigation the apoptotic effect of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) on MDA-MB 231 breast cancer epithelial cells via signaling pathways

Autor: Soheila Montazersaheb, Raheleh Farahzadi, Ezzatollah Fathi, Mahsan Alizadeh, Shahabaddin Abdolalizadeh Amir, Alireza Khodaei Ardakan, Sevda Jafari
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Heliyon, Vol 10, Iss 5, Pp e26959- (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2405-8440
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26959
Popis: Background: The discovery of novel cancer therapeutic strategies leads to the development of nanotechnology-based methods for cancer treatment. Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have garnered considerable interest owing to their size, shape, and capacity to modify chemical, optical, and photonic properties. This study aimed to investigate the impact of Ag-NPs on inducing of apoptosis in MDA-MB 231 cells by examining specific signaling pathways. Materials and methods: The cytotoxicity of Ag-NPs was determined using an MTT assay in MDA-MB 231 cells. The apoptotic effects were assessed using the Annexin-V/PI assay. Real-time PCR and western blotting were conducted to analyze the expression of apoptosis-related genes and proteins, respectively. Levels of ERK1/2 and cyclin D1 were measured using ELISA. Cell cycle assay was determined by flow cytometry. Cell migration was evaluated by scratch assay. Results: The results revealed that Ag-NPs triggered apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in MDA-MB 231 cells. The expression level of Bax (pro-apoptotic gene) was increased, while Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic gene) expression was decreased. Increased apoptosis was correlated with increased levels of p53 and PTEN. Additionally, notable alterations were observed in protein expression related to the Janus kinase/Signal transducers (JAK/STAT) pathway, including p-AKT. Additionally, reduced expression of h-TERT was observed following exposure to Ag-NPs. ELISA results demonstrated a significant reduction in p-ERK/Total ERK and cyclin D1 levels in Ag-NPs-exposed MDA-MB 231 cells. Western blotting analysis also confirmed the reduction of p-ERK/Total ERK and cyclin D1. Decreased level of cyclin D is associated with suppression of cell cycle progression. The migratory ability of MDA-MB-231 cells was reduced upon treatment with Ag-NPs. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that Ag-NPs influenced the proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and migration in MDA-MB 231 cells, possibly by modulating protein expression of the AKT/ERK/Cyclin D1 axis.
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