The impact on human health of long-term exposure to low doses of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) remains understudied. Cellular studies have shown the intracellular dissolution of AgNPs within endolysosomes followed by Ag( i ) binding to biomolecular thiolate-containing molecules. However, the precise subcellular distribution of Ag( i ) and the nature of the disrupted physiological pathways remained unknown. Novel imaging approaches enabled us to visualize the trafficking of AgNP-containing lysosomes towards a perinuclear location and a nuclear transfer of Ag( i ) species with accumulation in the nucleoli. These Ag( i ) species impaired nuclear receptor activity, disrupting critical mechanisms of liver physiology in low dose exposure scenarios, thus justifying further research into defining a framework for the safe use of AgNPs. Upon exposure to non-toxic concentration of silver nanoparticles, only the ionic form of silver is found in the nucleus leading to an endocrine disruptor-like effect.