ABSTRACT
Introduction. Rare-earth orthovanadate nanoparticles (ReVO4:Eu3+, Re = Gd, Y or La) are promising agents for photodynamic therapy of cancer due to their modifiable redox properties. However, their toxicity limits their application.Objective. The aim of this research was to elucidate pro-eryptotic effects of GdVO4:Eu3+and LaVO4:Eu3+nanoparticles with identification of underlying mechanisms of eryptosis induction and to determine their pharmacological potential in eryptosis-related diseases.Methods. Blood samples (n= 9) were incubated for 24 h with 0-10-20-40-80 mg l-1GdVO4:Eu3+or LaVO4:Eu3+nanoparticles, washed and used to prepare erythrocyte suspensions to analyze the cell membrane scrambling (annexin-V-FITC staining), cell shrinkage (forward scatter signaling), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation through 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) staining and intracellular Ca2+levels via FLUO4 AM staining by flow cytometry. Internalization of europium-enabled luminescent GdVO4:Eu3+and LaVO4:Eu3+nanoparticles was assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy.Results.Both nanoparticles triggered eryptosis at concentrations of 80 mg l-1. ROS-mediated mechanisms were not involved in rare-earth orthovanadate nanoparticles-induced eryptosis. Elevated cytosolic Ca2+concentrations were revealed even at subtoxic concentrations of nanoparticles. LaVO4:Eu3+nanoparticles increased intracellular calcium levels in a more pronounced way compared with GdVO4:Eu3+nanoparticles. Our data disclose that the small-sized (15 nm) GdVO4:Eu3+nanoparticles were internalized after a 24 h incubation, while the large-sized (â¼30 nm) LaVO4:Eu3+nanoparticles were localized preferentially around erythrocytes.Conclusions.Both internalized GdVO4:Eu3+and non-internalized LaVO4:Eu3+nanoparticles (80 mg l-1) promote eryptosis of erythrocytes after a 24 h exposurein vitrovia Ca2+signaling without involvement of oxidative stress. Eryptosis is a promising model for assessing nanotoxicity.