SiO2 Nanoparticles Alter Basal Intracellular Calcium Concentration by Reducing TRPC1 Channel Expression in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cell Line

• Published in: Russian journal of bioorganic chemistry 2024-10, Vol.50 (5), p.1991-1997
• Main Authors: Kaynar, A. H., Söğüt, F., Yılmaz, Ş. N., Yıldırımcan, S., Çömelekoğlu, Ü.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Bioorganic Chemistry; Calcium ions; Eye diseases; Gene expression; Ion channels; Life Sciences; Membranes; Nanoparticles; Organic Chemistry; Pigments; Polymerase chain reaction; Real time; Retinal cells; Silicon dioxide
• ISSN: 1068-1620; 1608-330X
• DOI: 10.1134/S1068162024050145

Objective: Nowadays, the use of SiO 2 -based nanoparticles in the treatment of ocular diseases has significantly increased. Nanoparticles (NPs) can easily penetrate biological membranes and interact with membrane components such as ion channels. SiO 2 nanoparticles (SiO 2 NPs) are one of the most common used NPs in health field. There are limited studies determining the effects of SiO 2 NPs on the retinal cells. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of SiO 2 NPs on transient receptor potential canonical 1 (TRPC1) expression and intracellular basal calcium concentration in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Methods: Cultured hARPE 19 cells were divided into four groups as control, 50 µg/mL SiO 2 , 100 µg/mL SiO 2 , and 150 µg/mL SiO 2 . All groups except control were incubated for 24 h with SiO 2 NPs. Subsequently, the expression level of TRPC1 was assessed utilizing the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Basal intracellular calcium concentration [Ca 2+ ] i was measured using confocal microscopy. Results and Discussion: Relative TRPC1 gene expression levels and basal [Ca 2+ ] i decreased significantly in the SiO 2 dose groups compared to control group. There was a significant correlation of relative channel expression level and basal [Ca 2+ ] i . Conclusions: Our results show that SiO 2 NPs reduce the expression of TRPC1 channels, leading to a decrease in basal [Ca 2+ ] i . The decrease in [Ca 2+ ] i is likely to affect calcium-related physiological processes in RPE cells. However, more investigations are required regarding this subject.