Effect and mechanism of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in the apoptosis of GC-1 cells induced by nickel nanoparticles

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2020-09, Vol.255, p.126913-126913, Article 126913
• Main Authors: Wu, Yongya, Ma, Jun, Sun, Yufei, Tang, Meng, Kong, Lu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apoptosis; GC-1 cells; Nickel nanoparticles; PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway; Toxicity
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126913

Nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) have a wide range of application prospects, but there is still a lack of their safety evaluation for the reproductive system. Nowadays, male reproductive health has been widely concerned because of the increasing incidence of male infertility. Studies have shown that Ni NPs can cause male reproductive toxicity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the toxicity of Ni NPs on GC-1 cells, a mouse spermatogonia cell line, and to explore the possible mechanism underlying the induction of apoptosis via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The cell ultrastructure was firstly observed under a transmission electron microscope. Then, cell proliferation, cycle and apoptosis were detected by CCK-8 and flow cytometry, respectively. Furthermore, the expression levels of related proteins and genes were determined by Western blot and Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The results showed that Ni NPs could not only cause changes in cell ultrastructure, decreased survival rate and arrested G1 phase cell cycle, but also activated apoptosis pathway by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The results of this study provide novel insights to explore the mechanisms of reproductive toxicity of Ni NPs and are of great significance to develop safety evaluation criteria for Ni NPs. [Display omitted] •Nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) can cause cytotoxicity of GC-1 cells.•Cell ultrastructure, proliferation, cycle and apoptosis can be affected by Ni NPs.•The protein expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway can be reduced by Ni NPs.•Ni NPs can induce cell apoptosis by inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.