Modulation of Inflammation in McCoy Cells by Zinc Nanoparticles Conjugated With β-Chitosan

Introduction: This study investigated biosynthetically derived β-chitosan-derived zinc nanoparticles (β-Ch-Zn NPs) for their potential anti-inflammatory properties on McCoy cells. β-Ch-Zn NPs were synthesized using a green chemistry approach, and their characterization confirmed successful synthesis, appropriate size, and morphology. The study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of β-Ch-Zn NPs and their effects on inflammatory responses in McCoy cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Methods: β-Ch-Zn NPs were synthesized and characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to confirm their structural and morphological properties. The cytotoxicity of β-Ch-Zn NPs was assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay at various concentrations to determine safe doses for subsequent experiments. To induce inflammation, McCoy cells were pretreated with β-Ch-Zn NPs at different concentrations before LPS stimulations. Gene expression analysis using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of proinflammatory cytokine.

Results: FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and XRD confirmed the successful synthesis of β-Ch-Zn NPs with the desired size and morphology. The MTT assay demonstrated concentration-dependent cytotoxicity of β-Ch-Zn NPs, indicating safety for cellular studies. Pretreatment with β-Ch-Zn NPs significantly downregulated the mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines. The nanoparticles effectively downregulate proinflammatory cytokines and promote anti-inflammatory pathways, as evidenced by the significant reduction in interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, hypoxia-inducible factor, and nuclear factor kappa B expression in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that biosynthetically derived β-Ch-Zn NPs exhibit potent anti-inflammatory effects in McCoy cells. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of β-Ch-Zn NPs for treating inflammatory conditions and support further investigation into their in vivo efficacy and safety.