Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
10229749 | Biomaterials | 2011 | 7 Pages |
Abstract
Advances in nanotechnology have given rise to the rapid development of novel applications in biomedicine. However, our understanding in the risks and health safety of nanomaterials is still not complete and various investigations are ongoing. Here, we show that gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) significantly altered the expression of 19 genes in human fetal lung fibroblasts (using the Affymetrix Human Gene 1.0 ST Array). Among the differentially expressed genes, up-regulation of microRNA-155 (miR-155) was observed concomitant with down-regulation of the PROS1 gene. Silencing of miR-155 established PROS1 as its possible target gene. DNA methylation profiling analysis of the PROS1 gene revealed no changes in the methylation status of this gene in AuNP-treated fibroblasts. At the ultrastructural level, chromatin condensation and reorganization was observed in the nucleus of fibroblasts exposed to AuNPs. The findings provide further insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying toxicity of AuNPs and their impact on epigenetic processes.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Bioengineering
Authors
Cheng-Teng Ng, S. Thameem Dheen, Wai-Cheong G. Yip, Choon-Nam Ong, Boon-Huat Bay, Lin-Yue Lanry Yung,