In vitro assessment of engineered nanomaterials using a hepatocyte cell line: cytotoxicity, pro-inflammatory cytokines and functional markers

Abstract

Effects on the liver C3A cell line treated with a panel of engineered nanomaterials (NMs) consisting of two zinc oxide particles (ZnO; coated 100 nm and uncoated 130 nm), two multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), one silver (Ag < 20 nm), one 7 nm anatase, two rutile TiO2 nanoparticles (10 and 94 nm) and two derivatives with positive and negative covalent functionalisation of the 10 nm rutile were evaluated. The silver particles elicited the greatest level of cytotoxicity (24 h LC50 - 2 µg/cm(2)). The silver was followed by the uncoated ZnO (24 h LC50 - 7.5 µg/cm(2)) and coated ZnO (24 h LC50 - 15 µg/cm(2)) particles with respect to cytotoxicity. The ZnO NMs were found to be about 50-60% soluble which could account for their toxicity. By contrast, the Ag was <1% soluble. The LC50 was not attained in the presence of any of the other engineered NMs (up to 80 µg/cm(2)). All NMs significantly increased IL-8 production. Meanwhile, no significant change in TNF-α, IL-6 or CRP was detected. Urea and albumin production were measured as indicators of hepatic function. These markers were only altered by the coated and uncoated ZnO, which significantly decreased albumin production.

Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of in vitro toxicity in hepatocytes of linear polyesters with varied aromatic and aliphatic co-monomers

“…immune cells, epithelial cells). [42,43] A limitation of in vitro studies is that it is more challenging to assess chronic toxicity. In future studies the development of in vitro assays which enable toxicity to be assessed after repeated exposures or longer exposure periods would allow for the assessment of recovery or increased cytotoxicity over time.…”

Engineered Nanomaterial Impact in the Liver following Exposure via an Intravenous Route–The Role of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes and Gene Expression in the Organ

“…Sub-sampling was completed into 20 ml Scint-Burk glass pp-lock with Alu-Foil (WHEA986581; Wheaton Industries Inc.), after pooling. NRCWE 001, TiO 2 rutile 10 nm was purchased from NanoAmor (Houston, USA), and also used for production of NRCWE 002 (TiO 2 rutile 10 nm with positive charge) [16]. Investigated nanomaterials were characterised by a combination of analytical techniques, in order to infer primary physical and chemical properties useful to understand their toxicological behaviour.…”

A comparative study of metal oxide nanoparticles embryotoxicity using the embryonic stem cell test

“…This is an in vitro toxicity test able to predict embryotoxicity of soluble chemical compounds and recommended by ZnO and TiO 2 NPs were first dispersed in BSA-ddH2O (2.56 mg/mL) and then sonicated using a probe sonicator (Branson Sonifier 150) for 4 min on ice, immediately before making the appropriate dilutions in culture medium. b As reported in [7]. nd, not determined.…”

“…For each tested nanoparticle, an evident decrease of mES cell viability was observed above the concentration of to discriminate the weak embryotoxic TiO 2 NP from the not embryotoxic ZnO NP, irrespective of the two different forms tested for each metal oxide. However, in the evaluation of the reported results, it has to be considered that ZnO NP undergo fast dissolution [7,10], with consequent release of Zn ions. It has been reported that 50%-60% of the ZnO NP are dissolved in the cell medium after 24 h [7].…”

“…However, in the evaluation of the reported results, it has to be considered that ZnO NP undergo fast dissolution [7,10], with consequent release of Zn ions. It has been reported that 50%-60% of the ZnO NP are dissolved in the cell medium after 24 h [7]. This could determine a short lived toxicity for the ZnO nanoparticles that is not observed for TiO2 NPs, which display longer term toxicity.…”