Mechanisms of cytotoxicity of nickel ions based on gene expression profiles.

This study investigated cytotoxic effects of Ni(II) to mouse fibroblast cells (L-929) on the level of gene expression profiles with cDNA microarray. The gene expression profiles of L-929 were detected after the cells were cultured in the medium with 200 microm Ni(II) for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively, and the cytotoxicity of Ni(II) was evaluated with methylthiazoltetrazolium (MTT) assay. 20 up-regulated genes and 19 down-regulated genes were differentially expressed in all three-culture periods. Gene ontology analysis showed that the L-929 cells which responded to Ni(II) covered a broad range of functional gene groups including cellular biological process, molecular function, and cellular component. Ni(II) has extensive effects on cells by inhibiting cell proliferation and differentiation through inducing cell apoptosis, affecting cell development and influencing cholesterol metabolism.