Nanoparticles (NPs) have been shown to accumulate in organs, cross the blood–brain barrier and placenta, and have the potential to elicit developmental neurotoxicity (DNT). Here, we developed a human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived 3-dimensional (3-D) in vitro model that allows for testing of potential developmental neurotoxicants. Early central nervous system PAX6+ precursor cells were generated from hESCs and differentiated further within 3-D structures. The 3-D model was characterized for neural marker expression revealing robust differentiation toward neuronal precursor cells, and gene expression profiling suggested a predominantly forebrain-like development. Altered neural gene expression due to exposure to non-cytotoxic concentrations of the known developmental neurotoxicant, methylmercury, indicated that the 3-D model could detect DNT. To test for specific toxicity of NPs, chemically inert polyethylene NPs (PE-NPs) were chosen. They penetrated deep into the 3-D structures and impacted gene expression at non-cytotoxic concentrations. NOTCH pathway genes such as HES5 and NOTCH1 were reduced in expression, as well as downstream neuronal precursor genes such as NEUROD1 and ASCL1. FOXG1, a patterning marker, was also reduced. As loss of function of these genes results in severe nervous system impairments in mice, our data suggest that the 3-D hESC-derived model could be used to test for Nano-DNT.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00204-012-0984-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The three-dimensional orientation monitoring of anisotropic nanoparticles during dynamic processes is a fundamental issue. Herein we show that incorporation of a single fluorescent reporter molecule is a promising concept toward this goal. As a model system, shape anisotropic single lamella polyethylene (PE) nanocrystals bearing one single fluorescent reporter molecule were prepared via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of highly ring-strained trans-cyclooctene ( tr COE) using a mixture of a dye-functionalized ruthenium-based initiator (1; perylene diimide (PDI) substituted Hoveyda−Grubbs second generation Ru alkylidene) and an appropriate excess of the unlabeled analogue (2; Hoveyda−Grubbs second generation Ru alkylidene) in aqueous microemulsion as a key step and subsequent exhaustive hydrogenation (>99.9%) of the main-chain unsaturated polymer in the nanoparticles to yield nanocrystals of high molecular weight, strictly linear PE (M n = 8 × 10 5 g mol −1 ; M w /M n = 1.4). TEM and AFM show a particle thickness of ca. 12 nm with a lateral extension of typically 45 nm. Comparable initiation kinetics of both complexes 1 and 2, which is a key requirement for this approach, were revealed by fluorescence spectroscopy studies (ΔH ‡ = 57.4 kJ mol −1 , ΔS ‡ = −73.0 J mol −1 K −1 for 1 vs ΔH ‡ = 63.6 kJ mol −1 , ΔS ‡ = −80.8 J mol −1 K −1 for 2 for the initiation with n-butyl vinyl ether, respectively). The labeled nanocrystals were characterized by means of single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy. Orientational analysis via defocused wide-field fluorescence microscopy (DWFM) revealed a fixed orientation of the chromophores within the nanocrystals, with their long molecular axis predominantly oriented parallel to the polar axis of the nanoparticles.

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Spatial patterning of a polymerization catalyst can be achieved rapidly and efficiently by means of laser interference. In their Communication on S. Mecking et al. describe how monomers, upon polymerization, give a replica of the patterned catalyst. The approach is illustrated by the generation of “wires” of polyacetylene, a prototype of a polymer that is not amenable to any postpolymerization processing.