Size of silver nanoparticles determines proliferation ability of human circulating lymphocytes in vitro

•CBMN test represents a good model for studying genotoxicity and cytotostasis of nanoparticles.•Inhibition of cell proliferation by AgNPs depends on size of the particles.•AgNPs sized 2nm stimulate cell proliferation enhancing ILGF1-1. In this work we present biological effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized by picosecond laser ablation of silver in deionized water. We examined induction of chromosomal aberrations, lymphocyte micronuclei, appearance and recovery of double strand breaks (DSBs) of DNA, cell proliferation potential, concentration of lipid peroxidation products and insulin-like growth factor 1 (ILGF-1). We found that AgNPs sized from 3nm to 8nm induce cell cytostasis, which is accompanied with its clastogenic action on DNA, while AgNPs, sized 2nm behaves contrary stimulating cell proliferation by enhancing ILGF-1 concentration.