Silica nanoparticle-exposure during neuronal differentiation modulates dopaminergic and cholinergic phenotypes in SH-SY5Y cells

Background Silica-e-polycaprolactone-nanoparticles (SiPCL-NPs) represent a promising tool for laser-tissue soldering in the brain. After release of the SiPCL-NPs in the brain, neuronal differentiation might be modulated. The present study was performed to determine effects of SiPCL-NP-exposure at different stages of neuronal differentiation in neuron-like SH-SY5Y cells. The resulting phenotypes were analyzed quantitatively and signaling pathways involved in neuronal differentiation and degeneration were studied. SH-SY5Y cells were differentiated with all-trans retinoic acid or staurosporine to obtain predominantly cholinergic or dopaminergic neurons. The resulting phenotype was analyzed at the end of differentiation with and without the SiPCL-NPs given at various times during differentiation.