biostudies-literatureMarino AMinistero della SaluteJapan Society for the Promotion of Science7678-89https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9003232biostudies-literatureUnknown9(7)Tetragonal barium titanate nanoparticles (BTNPs) have been exploited as nanotransducers owing to their piezoelectric properties, in order to provide indirect electrical stimulation to SH-SY5Y neuron-like cells. Following application of ultrasounds to cells treated with BTNPs, fluorescence imaging of ion dynamics revealed that the synergic stimulation is able to elicit a significant cellular response in terms of calcium and sodium fluxes; moreover, tests with appropriate blockers demonstrated that voltage-gated membrane channels are activated. The hypothesis of piezoelectric stimulation of neuron-like cells was supported by lack of cellular response in the presence of cubic nonpiezoelectric BTNPs, and further corroborated by a simple electroelastic model of a BTNP subjected to ultrasounds, according to which the generated voltage is compatible with the values required for the activation of voltage-sensitive channels.ACS nanoPiezoelectric Nanoparticle-Assisted Wireless Neuronal Stimulation.PMC9003232RF-2011-0235046423687021Arai SSinibaldi ESuzuki MMattoli VCiofani GMarino APellegrino MChang YTHou YMazzolai BfalsePiezoelectric Nanoparticle-Assisted Wireless Neuronal Stimulation.Tetragonal barium titanate nanoparticles (BTNPs) have been exploited as nanotransducers owing to their piezoelectric properties, in order to provide indirect electrical stimulation to SH-SY5Y neuron-like cells. Following application of ultrasounds to cells treated with BTNPs, fluorescence imaging of ion dynamics revealed that the synergic stimulation is able to elicit a significant cellular response in terms of calcium and sodium fluxes; moreover, tests with appropriate blockers demonstrated that voltage-gated membrane channels are activated. The hypothesis of piezoelectric stimulation of neuron-like cells was supported by lack of cellular response in the presence of cubic nonpiezoelectric BTNPs, and further corroborated by a simple electroelastic model of a BTNP subjected to ultrasounds, according to which the generated voltage is compatible with the values required for the activation of voltage-sensitive channels.2015-01-01T00:00:00Z2015 Jul2025-04-21T17:32:36.26Z2025-04-05T16:40:36.088ZS-EPMC90032322616807410.1021/acsnano.5b03162