Table 3.

Similarities and differences in the response of cells to nAg at lethal and sublethal concentrations.

Mechanisms	Similarity	Difference
Lethal effects ROS generation and oxidative stress Sublethal effects Disruption of energy homeostasis Induction of proliferation-related genes Inhibition of RNA transcription	Deposition in cells and organelles Physicochemical characteristics of Ag nanoparticles A combination of Ag ion toxicity and particle effects	Lethal effects Induction of cell death Increased ROS production Inflammatory response Oxidative damage of DNA Enhanced permeability of mitochondrial membrane Sublethal effects Without significant reduction of cell viability No obvious ROS generation Changes in gene and protein expression levels Disruption in function of crucial proteins