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In vitro tolerability of soluble silicic acid and tetraethyl orthosilicate in ocular epithelial cells




TekijätPoluianova, Aleksandra; Robciuc, Alexandra; Pollari, Ville; Moilanen, Jukka A. O.; Kaarniranta, Kai; Leino, Lasse

Julkaisuvuosi2026

Lehti: Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine

ISSN0957-4530

eISSN1573-4838

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-026-07048-9

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Julkaisukanavan avoimuus Kokonaan avoin julkaisukanava

Verkko-osoitehttps://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-026-07048-9


Tiivistelmä

Biodegradable silica microparticles (SiMPs) are a promising carrier matrix for controlled ocular drug delivery. In tissues, SiMPs degrade into silicic acid (SiA), a soluble inorganic weak acid. This study evaluated the in vitro toxicity and tolerability of SiA and SiMPs’ precursor, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), in human corneal epithelial cells (HCE-2) and retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19). Cells were exposed to serial dilutions of SiA and TEOS. Cell viability was assessed after 24, 48, and 72 h using the alamarBlue assay, while membrane integrity was analyzed through LDH release. To evaluate cellular stress from SiA and TEOS, levels of pro-inflammatory, apoptosis, and heat shock stress response markers were measured. Neither viability assay revealed significant differences in survival rates between the control group and 30 µg/mL SiA in ARPE-19 and HCE-2 cells at all time points. ARPE-19 viability decreased with low SiA concentrations, but this was not supported by LDH release or caspase-3 activation. Inflammatory markers IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 secretion or heat shock protein 70 expression levels were not changed in either cell line in response to SiA. Conversely, TEOS reduced cell viability at high concentrations (0.6–2.4 mg/mL) and affected the cytokine response in both cell lines. Our results indicate that both cell lines can tolerate SiA concentrations up to 30 µg/mL. In contrast, TEOS showed toxicity at concentrations above 0.6 mg/mL, which greatly exceeds expected levels in the SiMP formulation. These findings support the use of SiMPs as drug delivery vehicles in ophthalmic formulations.


Julkaisussa olevat rahoitustiedot
The project was supported by grants from the Academy of Finland (No. 296840 and 333302, GeneCellNano Flagship), Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation, Kuopio University Hospital VTR (No. 5503770), Sigrid Juselius Foundation, Finnish Eye Foundation (No. 20220021 and 20230011), Sokeain Ystävät ry - De Blindas Vänner sr, Eye and Tissue Bank Foundation (No. 20220017), and Evald and Hilda Nissi Foundation (No. 202300122).


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