Figure 6
The expression of apoptotic proteins (A) p53, B) PARP-1, C) bax and D) smac/DIABLO) in AA AgNP treated and untreated cells. Western blotting assessed the expression of selected apoptotic proteins. Levels of p53 were significantly higher post AAAgNP exposure (1.0 ± 0.018RBI vs. control: 0.82 ± 0.045RBI, 95% Cl = −0.42 to −0.00037; p = 0.0498). Cleavage of PARP-1 was distinct with significant increase in the 24kDa fragment after AAAgNP treatment (3.5 ± 0.069RBI vs. control: 3.1 ± 0.0043RBI, 95% Cl = −0.65 to −0.058; p = 0.0359). The expression of bax was significantly higher in cells that were treated with AAAgNP (3.4 ± 0.11RBI) compared to untreated cells (2.1 ± 0.047RBI, 95% Cl = −1.9 to −0.81; p = 0.0083). AAAgNP treated cells presented with a 4.1-fold greater band intensity for smac/DIABLO (1.1 ± 0.045RBI vs. control: 0.27 ± 0.010RBI, 95% Cl = −0.99 to −0.59; p = 0.0033). Protein bands were standardized against β-actin.