How Does the Cell Overcome LCP Nanoparticle-Induced Calcium Toxicity?

Abstract

To address the question of how cells respond to the possible Ca²⁺ toxicity caused by the release of Ca²⁺ into the cytoplasm by LCP nanoparticles, a series of <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> studies using Ca²⁺ pump inhibitors were conducted. The results indicated that two major Ca²⁺ pumps on the plasma membrane and the mitochondrial membrane, respectively, were able to rapidly respond to the elevated cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration and prevent Ca²⁺-induced apoptosis or necrosis. However, exposure to specific inhibitors of calcium pumps would cause LCP-treated H460 cells to undergo necrosis both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>. These results demonstrated that the Ca²⁺ delivered by LCP was not toxic to cells when the cells contain functional Ca²⁺ pumps