Investigating Anticancer Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on Bladder Cancer 5637 Cells in Comparison to Human Embryonic Kidney Normal Cells (HEK-293)

Background & aim: Nanotechnology is a modern research field with broad applications in cancer management. Among the various metal nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been used in cancer therapy due to their promising anti-tumor properties. Despite the great advantages of AgNPs, their effects on normal cells have become a challenge. Besides, their anti-cancer effects have not previously been well noted on human bladder cancer 5637 cells. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of AgNPs on 5637 and HEK-293 cells viability and also to explore their effects on vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) gene expression and cell migration in 5637 cells.     Methods: In the current in vitro study, after 24-h exposure to different concentrations of AgNPs (0-125 μg/ml), the viability of 5637 and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293) were assessed by using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol, 2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Moreover, the morphological alterations were studied using an inverted microscope. VEGFA gene expression level and migration rate were evaluated by qRT-PCR and wound healing assay, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA and Two-way ANOVA methods with the aid of SPSS and GraphPad Prism softwares.   Results: The results indicate that AgNPs can reduce 5637 and human embryonic kidney HEK-293 cells viability in a dose-dependent manner. However, the reduction in 5637 cell viability was significantly higher than that of the normal HEK-293 cells (p < 0.05). It is also observed that AgNPs lead to reduction of VEGFA gene expression (p < 0.05) and 5637 cells migration at concentrations of 50 and 60 μg/ml compared to the control (p < 0.001).   Conclusion: AgNPs could reduce the viability of 5637 and HEK-293 cells as their inhibitory effects on 5637 cells viability are significantly more than HEK-293. Furthermore, AgNPs suppressed the 5637 cells migration.