The protective effect of silver nanoparticles' on epithelial cornea cells against ultraviolet is accompanied by changes in calcium homeostasis and a decrease of the P2X7 and P2Y2 receptors

• Published in: Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy Vol. 170; p. 116090
• Main Authors: Krzemiński, Patryk, Misiewicz-Krzemińska, Irena, Grodzik, Marta, Padzińska-Pruszyńska, Irena, Kucharzewska, Paulina, Ostrowska, Agnieszka, Sawosz, Ewa, Pomorski, Paweł
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France Elsevier Masson SAS 01.01.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Calcium; Cornea; P2X7; P2Y2; Silver; Ultraviolet; Silver; Cornea; Calcium; P2X7; Ultraviolet; P2Y2
• ISSN: 0753-3322; 1950-6007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116090

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of silver nanoparticles hydrocolloids (AgNPs) on human corneal epithelial cells. Epithelial cells form the outermost and the most vulnerable to environmental stimuli layer of the cornea in the eye. Mechanical stress, UV radiation, and pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites challenge the fragile homeostasis of the eye. To help combat stress, infection, and inflammation wide portfolio of interventions is available. One of the oldest treatments is colloidal silver. Silver nanoparticle suspension in water is known for its anti-bacterial anti-viral and antiprotozoal action. However, AgNPs interact also with host cells, and the character of the interplay between corneal cells and silver seeks investigation. The human epithelial corneal cell line (HCE-2) was cultured in vitro, treated with AgNPs, and subjected to UV. The cell’s viability, migration, calcium concentration, and expression/protein level of selected proteins were investigated by appropriate methods including cytotoxicity tests, “wound healing” assay, Fluo8/Fura2 AM staining, qRT-PCR, and western blot. Incubation of human corneal cells (HCE-2) with AgNP did not affect cells viability but limited cells migration and resulted in altered calcium homeostasis, decreased the presence of ATP-activated P2X7, P2Y2 receptors, and enhanced the expression of PACAP. Furthermore, AgNPs pretreatment helped restrain some of the deleterious effects of UV irradiation. Interestingly, AgNPs had no impact on the protein level of ACE2, which is important in light of potential SARS-CoV-2 entrance through the cornea. Silver nanoparticles are safe for corneal epithelial cells in vitro. [Display omitted] •Silver nanoparticles are safe for human HCE-2 cornea cells in concentrations up to 5 ppm.•ATP-mediated cytoplasmatic Ca2+ increase is affected by AgNPs treatment.•AgNPs induce the decrease of P2Y2 and P2X7 protein levels.•Silver nanoparticles decline UV-induced proapoptotic gene expression.•The ACE2 protein level is not affected by AgNPs.