Fig. 9

Schematic representation of molecular mechanisms of AgNP toxicity in ESCs, which are similar to those previously reported for somatic cells. AgNPs enter ESCs via endocytosis, release Ag⁺ within the cell after lysosome rupture, and subsequently generate ROS. The elevated ROS may lead to DNA damage and cause the cell into cycle arrest in order to repair damaged DNA. Cells failed to do so will eventually undergo apoptosis