Nanomaterial cytotoxicity is composition, size, and cell type dependent

By Syed K Sohaebuddin, P. Thevenot, David A. Baker, J. Eaton, Liping Tang. Particle and Fibre Toxicology, 2010

653 citations recorded by the source corpus.

BackgroundDespite intensive research efforts, reports of cellular responses to nanomaterials are often inconsistent and even contradictory. Additionally, relationships between the responding cell type and nanomaterial properties are not well understood. Using three model cell lines representing different physiological compartments and nanomaterials of different compositions and sizes, we have systematically investigated the influence of nanomaterial properties on the degrees and pathways of cytotoxicity. In this study, we selected nanomaterials of different compositions (TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles, and multi-wall carbon nanotubes [MWCNTs]) with differing size (MWCNTs of different diameters < 8 nm, 20-30 nm, > 50 nm; but same length 0.5-2 μm) to analyze the effects of composition and size on toxicity to 3T3 fibroblasts, RAW 264.7 macrophages, and telomerase-immortalized (hT) bronchiolar epithelial cells.ResultsFollowing characterization of nanomaterial properties in PBS and serum containing solutions, cells were exposed to nanomaterials of differing compositions and sizes, with cytotoxicity monitored through reduction in mitochondrial activity. In addition to cytotoxicity, the cellular response to nanomaterials was characterized by quantifying generation of reactive oxygen species, lysosomal membrane destabilization and mitochondrial permeability. The effect of these responses on cellular fate - apoptosis or necrosis - was then analyzed. Nanomaterial toxicity was variable based on exposed cell type and dependent on nanomaterial composition and size. In addition, nanomaterial exposure led to cell type dependent intracellular responses resulting in unique breakdown of cellular functions for each nanomaterial: cell combination.ConclusionsNanomaterials induce cell specific responses resulting in variable toxicity and subsequent cell fate based on the type of exposed cell. Our results indicate that the composition and size of nanomaterials as well as the target cell type are critical determinants of intracellular responses, degree of cytotoxicity and potential mechanisms of toxicity.

Subfields: Biomedical Engineering, Materials Chemistry

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/2b53710464a904e5b2a3803deabdc86dd02575b3

How researchers see this paper

The researchers whose trusted networks rank it highest, strongest advocate first. Every researcher gets a different order.

In Biomedical Engineering

In Materials Chemistry

Citations in the corpus

Autophagy and lysosomal dysfunction as emerging mechanisms of nanomaterial toxicity (2012, background): “LMP has been identified as a potential mechanism of carbon nanotube toxicity in human fibroblasts [35] and cationic polystyrene nanosphere toxicity in human macrophages [58], and in both cases LMP was associated with loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis.”
Techniques for physicochemical characterization of nanomaterials (2013, background): “For example, TiO2 induced an inflammatory neutrophil response when intratracheally instilled in rat and mouse lungs (Oberdörster, 2005; Sohaebuddin et al., 2010).”
Graphene oxide functionalized with ethylenediamine triacetic acid for heavy metal adsorption and anti-microbial applications (2014, background): “The time dependency of GO and GO–EDTA inactivation on bacterial cells was also observed with other carbon based nanomaterials [31,32,58].”
Interaction of nanoparticles with proteins: relation to bio-reactivity of the nanoparticle (2013, background): “NP composition [66,67], hydrophobicity [33], presence of specific functional groups, pH and temperature [68] have been shown to affect protein adsorption on the surface of NPs.”
Mechanisms of nanotoxicity: Generation of reactive oxygen species (2014, background): “Sohaebuddin et al [28] determined the effects of the chemical composition”
The nanosilica hazard: another variable entity (2010, background): “7 • MTS assay • Uptake (flow cytometry) • DCFH assay • Lysosomal membrane integrity • Mitochodrial membrane potential • Apoptosis (caspase3, and caspase-7 activation; Annexin VPI assay) • SNPs depleted serum proteins from cell culture media • SNPs cytotoxicity was dose-, time- and cell line dependen”
Mechanisms of Nanoparticle-Induced Oxidative Stress and Toxicity (2013, background): “Accordingly, nano-sized SiO 2 and TiO 2 andMWCNT induce greater ROS as compared to their larger counterparts [41].”