Nickel Nanoparticles Induce the Synthesis of a Tumor-Related Polypeptide in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes

Javier Jiménez-Lamana (1) , Simon Godin (1) , Gerard Aragonès (2) , Cinta Bladé (2) , Joanna Szpunar (1) , Ryszard Lobinski (1)

1 IPREM - Institut des sciences analytiques et de physico-chimie pour l'environnement et les materiaux
2 Universitat Rovira i Virgili

Although nickel allergy and carcinogenicity are well known, their molecular mechanisms are still uncertain, thus demanding studies at the molecular level. The nickel carcinogenicity is known to be dependent on the chemical form of nickel, since only certain nickel compounds can enter the cell. This study investigates, for the first time, the cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and molecular targets of nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs) in human skin cells in comparison with other chemical forms of nickel. The dose-response curve that was obtained for NiNPs in the cytotoxicity assays showed a linear behavior typical of genotoxic carcinogens. The exposure of keratinocytes to NiNPs leads to the release of Ni 2+ ions and its accumulation in the cytosol. A 6 kDa nickel-binding molecule was found to be synthesized by cells exposed to NiNPs at a dose corresponding to medium mortality. This molecule was identified to be tumor-related p63-regulated gene 1 protein.

Mots clés: nickel nanoparticles; human keratinocytes; cytotoxicity; protein induction; high resolution mass spectrometry

Domaines: Matériaux; Polymères; Chimie théorique et/ou physique; Chimie analytique

Javier Jiménez-Lamana, Simon Godin, Gerard Aragonès, Cinta Bladé, Joanna Szpunar, et al.. Nickel Nanoparticles Induce the Synthesis of a Tumor-Related Polypeptide in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes. Nanomaterials, 2020, 10 (5), pp.992. ⟨10.3390/nano10050992⟩. ⟨hal-02734588⟩