Silica nanoparticle uptake induces survival mechanism in A549 cells by the activation of autophagy but not apoptosis

• We report in vitro evaluation of silica nanoparticle uptake by lung epithelial cells (A549).
• We examine the effects of surface charge, serum proteins and the influence of inhibitors.
• Our results suggest an actin dependent, macropinocytotic uptake process.
• Blebbing of shown to be related to autophagy rather than apoptotic cell death.
• We propose autophagic activity and cross-talk between autophagic and apoptotic pathways as a mechanism allowing cell survival.

We report here an in vitro evaluation of silica nanoparticle uptake by lung epithelial cells (A549), the cytotoxic effect of the particles and we propose autophagy as possible survival strategy. The effect of surface charge, serum proteins and the influence of inhibitors on the uptake of 20 nm monodispersed nanoparticles with various functional groups are discussed. Uptake rate of the particles with various functional groups is demonstrated to be similar in the presence of serum proteins, while the uptake rate ranking is COOH > NH2 > OH under serum free conditions. Our results suggest an actin-dependent, macropinocytotic uptake process that was also confirmed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. In spite of the intensive active uptake, significant cytotoxic effect is detected only at relatively high concentrations (above 250 μg/mL). Blebbing of the cell surface is observed already at 5 h of exposure and is shown to be related to autophagy rather than apoptotic cell death. The A549 cells display elevated levels of autophagosomes, however they do not express typical apoptosis markers such as increased amount of active caspase-3 and release of mitochondrial cytochrome C. Based on these results, we propose here an autophagic activity and cross-talk between autophagic and apoptotic pathways as a mechanism allowing the survival of A549 cells under exposure to silica nanoparticles.