Influence of the platinum nanoparticles on the cell viability of the mouse organ of Corti cell line (HEI-OC1) and the rat spiral ganglion neurons (SGN)

Introduction So far, systemic application of cortisone and antibiotics are not able to recover CI-patients from increased impedances. Recent studies revealed corroded platinum electrode contacts which may cause the reduced speech perception. Aim of this study is the characterisation of the effects of platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NP, 3 nm) on HEI-OC1 cells and rat primary SGN.

Methods: The metabolic activity of the HEI-OC1 cells was determined at 50-150 μg/ml Pt-NP by using resazurine. The SGN were dissociated from the cochleae of postnatal rats (P5) and cultivated for 48 h following exposition to 20-100 μg/ml Pt-NP. The SGN survival rate and neurite outgrowth were quantified by staining of the neurofilament antigene. Also, scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to examine morphological changes.

Results: 75 and 150 μg/ml of the Pt-NP reduced the metabolic activity of the HEI-OC1 cells. SEM and TEM demonstrated not only apoptosis at 100 μg/ml Pt-NP, but also induction of repair processes by means of autophagosomale-lysosomale mechanisms. Neither SGN loss nor reduction of the neurite outgrowth was found at any Pt-NP concentration. Only SEM revealed a decline of the Schwann cells in a concentration depending manner.

Conclusions Eventhough, Pt-NP had no effects on the metabolic activities of the SGN, reduction of the Schwann cells were found at higher Pt-NP concentrations. It may be assumed that within a certain period glial cells are able to protect the neurons. The progressive loss of the glial cells may also induce cell death of the SGN at longer cultivation period.

Poster-PDF A-1639.pdf

Conflict of interest

Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenskonflikt an.

Publication History

Article published online:
13 May 2021