The Combination of Gold and Silver Food Nanoparticles with Gluten Peptides Alters the Autophagic Pathway in Intestinal Crypt-like Cells

Metallic nanoparticles (mNPs) are widely used as food additives and can interact with gliadin triggering an immune response, but evaluation of the effects on crypts, hypertrophic in celiac subjects, is still lacking. This study evaluated gold silver mNPs combination crypt-like cells (HIEC-6). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was to evaluate gliadin-mNP aggregates cells. Western blot immunofluorescence analysis assessed autophagy-related molecule levels (p62, LC3, beclin-1, EGFR). Lysosome functionality tested acridine orange (AO) Magic Red assays. TEM identified increase autophagic vacuoles after exposure + mNPs, also detected by significant increments LC3-II p62 expression. Immunofluorescence confirmed presence mature autophagosomes, showing LC3 colocalization, indicating altered flux, further EGFR degradation, AO The results showed a reduction lysosomal enzyme activity modest acidity. Thus, block flux inducing defect. alteration this pathway, essential for cell function, lead damage death. potential copresence should be characterized avoid negative impact disease subjects.