Carotenuto R et al. (2023), Adverse Effect of Metallic Gold and Silver Nano...

XB-ART-60289

Nanomaterials (Basel) 2023 Sep 04;1317:. doi: 10.3390/nano13172488.

Show Gene links Show Anatomy links

Adverse Effect of Metallic Gold and Silver Nanoparticles on Xenopus laevis Embryogenesis.

Carotenuto R , Tussellino M , Fusco S , Benvenuto G , Formiggini F , Avallone B , Motta CM , Fogliano C , Netti PA .

???displayArticle.abstract???
Exposure to metal nanoparticles is potentially harmful, particularly when occurring during embryogenesis. In this study, we tested the effects of commercial AuNPs and AgNPs, widely used in many fields for their features, on the early development of Xenopus laevis, an anuran amphibian key model species in toxicity testing. Through the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus test (FETAX), we ascertained that both nanoparticles did not influence the survival rate but induced morphological anomalies like modifications of head and branchial arch cartilages, depigmentation of the dorsal area, damage to the intestinal brush border, and heart rate alteration. The expression of genes involved in the early pathways of embryo development was also modified. This study suggests that both types of nanoparticles are toxic though nonlethal, thus indicating that their use requires attention and further study to better clarify their activity in animals and, more importantly, in humans.

???displayArticle.pubmedLink??? 37686995
???displayArticle.pmcLink??? PMC10489621
???displayArticle.link??? Nanomaterials (Basel)

Species referenced: Xenopus laevis
Genes referenced: bmp4 egr2 fgf8 nps pax6 rax sox9
GO keywords: embryo development

???attribute.lit??? ???displayArticles.show???

	Figure 1. (A,B) Transmission electron microscopy micrographs of AuNPs and AgNPs diluted in FETAX solution; (C,D) average mean of nanoparticles diameters (d). One hundred NPs of each type were measured (n = 100). Bars: 0.5 µm.
	Figure 2. Survival of embryos raised in the presence of AuNPs and AgNPs. The experimental points represent the average of three independent experiments, and the error bars indicate the standard error. No significative differences were reported among control groups and NPs treated. n = total number of embryos analyzed.
	Figure 3. (A,B) Variation in embryo length collected at stage 45/46 following the exposure to AuNPs and AgNPs. Data are means ± standard deviation of three independent experiments. * p < 0.05; **** p < 0.0001. n = total number of embryos analyzed.
	Figure 4. (A,B) Pigment intensity (mean and standard deviation) in embryos treated with AuNPs or AgNPs, collected at stage 45/46; (C) distribution and shape of pigment in the dorsal area in control and 5 mg/L AgNP-treated embryos. Data are means ± standard deviation of three independent experiments. * p < 0.05. n = total number of embryos analyzed.
	Figure 5. (A) Confocal microscopy of the control heart where myocardium (m) and pericardium (p) are visible; (B,C) in AuNP-treated embryos, nanoparticles penetrate the organ and are detected in both the myocardium and pericardium (arrows); (D) vibration of the nanoparticles in the pericardium (arrow); (E) significant bradycardia in embryos treated with 5 mg/L AuNPs, collected at stage 45/46; (F) significant tachycardia in embryos exposed to the two highest concentrations of AgNPs, collected at stage 45/46. Data are means ± standard deviation of three independent experiments. p < 0.01; ** p < 0.0001. n = total number of embryos analyzed.
	Figure 6. (A) Correct folding of the intestine in control embryos at stage 45/46; (B–D) treatment with AuNPs or AgNPs induces defects in maturation, causing altered morphologies concerning controls; (E) TEM micrograph of the control intestine; note the normal organization of microvilli; (F–H) in embryos exposed to both AuNPs or AgNPs, the microvilli are altered, and enterocytes have partly lost connection with the consequent appearance of large intercellular areas (arrows).
	Figure 7. (A) Dorsal view of a control embryo and embryos treated with (B) AuNPs or (C) AgNPs at stage 45/46; (D) dorsal view, control embryo; well-developed gill basket (); (E,F) dorsal view, AuNP- and AgNP-treated embryos with deformed Meckel’s cartilage (arrows) and gill basket (double arrows); (G) ventral view, control embryo; gills () are transparent; (H,I) ventral view, treated embryos; gills are obstructed, respectively, by AuNPs and AgNPs (*). (D–F): Alcian Blue staining.
	Figure 8. Reactive oxygen species in embryos exposed to AuNPs (A) or AgNPs (B) expressed as nanomoles of TBARS per milligram of protein. No significant increase in ROS levels was found compared to the controls. Data are means ± standard deviation of three independent experiments and were collected at stage 45/46.
	Figure 9. Gene expression analysis in Xenopus laevis embryos (stage 45/46) exposed to AuNPs (A) or AgNPs (B). Results are the means ± SEM of three independent experiments. * p < 0.05; p < 0.01; * p < 0.001; **** p < 0.0001.

References [+] :

Ahamed, Silver nanoparticle applications and human health. 2010, Pubmed