Adverse outcome pathway analysis identifies DRP1-driven mitochondrial dysfunction as a central event in silver nanoparticle-induced hepatocyte ferroptosis

Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are increasingly employed across diverse applications, raising concerns regarding their potential biosafety risks. The liver plays a pivotal role as a target organ upon exposure to AgNPs. The adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework provides a structured, mechanism-based approach for assessing and managing toxicological risks.

Results: In this study, we applied the AOP framework to construct a mechanistic relationship map of AgNP-induced hepatotoxicity. Using in vitro (HepG2 cells) and in vivo (C57BL/6 mice) models, we identified mitochondrial dysfunction as a molecular initiating event (MIE), characterized by excessive dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1)-mediated mitochondrial fission and increased mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species (mtROS), which serve as key events (KEs). The cascade ultimately leads to programmed cell death and structural/functional liver injury, which constitute the AO. Further mechanistic investigations revealed that DRP1 phosphorylation at the Ser616 site activated sequestration 1 (p62)/PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1)-dependent Mitophagy, which partially mitigated the severity of the AO by preserving mitochondrial integrity and reducing oxidative damage.

Conclusion: These findings not only demonstrate the critical role of DRP1 activation in linking mitochondrial dynamics to hepatocellular Ferroptosis, but also highlight the value of the AOP framework as a tool for predicting NPs risk assessment and regulatory decision-making.