Effect of iron oxide nanoparticles on PC12 cells by MTS and p53

Iron oxide nanoparticles(Fe₃O₄ NPs) have recently received increasing interest in the biotechnology and life science. However, little is known about the nanoneurotoxicity of Fe₃O₄ NPs following exposure to neurons. This study was to elucidate the cytotoxicity and its mechanism of Fe₃O₄ NPs on PC12 cells line which derived from Rattus norvegicus pheochromocytoma. The cell viability was observed by MTS assay and P53 gene was determined by RT-PCR. The result showed exposure to Fe₃O₄ NPs at dosage levels between 25 and 400 ug/ml decreased cell viability differently. P53 mRNA levels increased when PC12 cells were incubated with different concentrations Fe₃O₄ NPs. In summary, exposure to Fe₃O₄ NPs resulted in a dose-dependent cytotoxicity in cultured PC12 cells that was associated with increased P53 gene expression and much attention should be paid to the potential impact of Fe₃O₄ NPs on the central nervous system.