Fig. 4

The influences of AgNPs on cell death modalities and cell cycle distribution. A The apoptotic and necrotic events occurring in AML12 cells treated with 15 µg/ml of SCS, SAS, LCS, and LAS respectively for 24 h. Total apoptosis represents the sum of the cells undergoing early-stage or late-stage apoptosis over the entire cell population. B The dose-dependent response pattern of LCS-evoked apoptosis in AML12 cells. C Time course analysis of the autophagic events taking place in AML12 cells treated with the respective one of the four AgNP types (15 µg/ml; 12, 18, and 24 h). D The dose- response pattern of LCS-induced autophagy in AML12 cells. E Time-course analysis of the impacts of nontoxic-dose LCS exposure (5 µg/ml) on cell cycle phase distribution. The DNA content of the cells was measured by flow cytometry in combination with PI staining. The representative cell cycle histograms for untreated control and LCS-treated AML12 cells are shown as follows: F G0/G1 phase, G S phase, and H G2/M phase. Results were representative of three independent experiments performed in triplicate. *(P < 0.05), **(P < 0.01) and *** (P < 0.005) denote significant differences between the control and treatment groups