Gold Nanoparticles-Exposure Induces Cytokine Gene Expression in vivo
Pranav Chandra*, Nilesh Sharma, Sinilal Bhaskaran , Shivendra Sahi
Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101
Abstract
Applications of gold nanoparticles in diagnostics, therapeutics and biotechnology products are everrising, and thus the risk potential of these nanomaterials needs to be assessed. In this investigation, lab
mice (C57BL/6) were administered intraperitoneally 40 nm Au-NP at the rate of 333 µg/kg mice over a
period of 1-4 weeks. Significant accumulations (2 – 33.4 µg/g tissue) of Au-NP were found across organs
(liver, heart, lung, kidney, spleen and brain) over time. Greater accumulations were noticed in spleen (up
to 33 µg/g tissue) and liver (up to 6.7 µg/g tissue). Inflammatory cytokine genes: IL-1α, IFN-γ, TGF-β
and IL-10 were significantly up-regulated following a long-term exposure of nanoparticles. However,
genes for cytokines TNFα and MCP1 were not significantly different for the same treatment. Clinical
parameters such as mortality, body weight change and activity were also monitored. No significant
differences between control and treatment groups were observed.