Effect of maghemite nanoparticles in the induction of apoptosis on human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep G2) cell line

Abstract

The present study focuses on the effect ofmaghemite nanoparticle in the induction of apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep G2) cells. The antiproliferative effect of maghemite nanoparticle was analysed by cell viability assay and results showed less cytotoxicity at 50 to 250 µg/mL concentration. However, further increase in particle concentration exhibited higher cytotoxicity. Dysfunction of cell was noted by shrinking and small size of the cells in morphological analysis. The induction of apoptosis was revealed with live/dead assay and DNA fragmentation assay results by noticing increasing apoptotic fluorescent cells and fragmented DNA pattern, respectively. The cell cycle analysis of Hep G2 cells illustrated that they were arrested at G2/M phase transition and favoured induction of apoptosis. The expression of inflammatory cytokines interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) were analysed by semi quantitative polymerase chain reaction that showed altered expression compared to the control. Thus the present study shows that maghemite nanoparticles induced apoptosis in Hep G2 cells through arresting the cell cycle at G2/M phase transition mediated by IFN-γ pathway.