Robert Carleer, Jan-Pieter Ploem, Frank Van Belleghem, Elsy Thijssen, Annelies Wouters, Tom Artois, Hannelore Bové, Marcel Ameloot, Karen Smeets, Sabine A. S. Langie, Nathalie Leynen, Department Science, RS-Research Line Resilience (part of LIRS program), LEYNEN, Nathalie, VAN BELLEGHEM, Frank, WOUTERS, Annelies, BOVE, Hannelore, PLOEM, Jan-Pieter, THIJSSEN, Elsy, LANGIE, Sabine, CARLEER, Robert, AMELOOT, Marcel, ARTOIS, Tom, and SMEETS, Karen
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) currently belong to the most commercialized nanomaterials, used in both consumer products and medical applications. Despite its omnipresence, in-depth knowledge on the potential toxicity of nanosilver is still lacking, especially for developing organisms. Research on vertebrates is limited due to ethical concerns, and planarians are an ideal invertebrate model to study the effects of AgNPs on stem cells and developing tissues in vivo, as regeneration mimics development by triggering massive stem cell proliferation. Our results revealed a strong interference of AgNPs with tissue- and neuroregeneration which was related to an altered stem cell cycle. The presence of a PVP-coating significantly influenced toxicity outcomes, leading to elevated DNA-damage and decreased stem cell proliferation. Non-coated AgNPs had an inhibiting effect on stem cell and early progeny numbers. Overall, regenerating tissues were more sensitive to AgNP toxicity, and careful handling and appropriate decision making is needed in AgNP applications for healing and developing tissues. We emphasize on the importance of AgNP characterization, as we showed that changes in physicochemical properties influence toxicity. This study was financially supported by Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds Hasselt University; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Onderzoek Vlaanderen; Province of Limburg and Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek.