In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Nanoparticles in Mammalian Germline Stem Cells

Abstract

Gametogenesis is a complex biological process that is particularly sensitive to environmental insults such as chemicals. Many chemicals have a negative impact on the germline, either by directly affecting the germ cells, or indirectly through their action on the somatic nursing cells. Ultimately, these effects can inhibit fertility, and they may have negative consequences for the development of the offspring. Recently, nanomaterials such as nanotubes, nanowires, fullerene derivatives (buckyballs), and quantum dots have received enormous national attention in the creation of new types of analytical tools for biotechnology and the life sciences. Despite the wide application of nanomaterials, there is a serious lack of information concerning their impact on human health and the environment. Thus, there are limited studies available on toxicity of nanoparticles for risk assessment of nanomaterials. The purpose of this study was to assess the suitability of a mouse spermatogonial stem cell line as a model to assess nanotoxicity in the male germline in vitro. The effects of different types of nanoparticles on these cells were evaluated by light microscopy, and by cell proliferation and standard cytotoxicity assays. Our results demonstrate a concentration-dependent toxicity for all types of particles tested, whereas the corresponding soluble salts had no significant effect. Silver nanoparticles were the most toxic while molybdenum trioxide (MoO 3 ) nanoparticles were the least toxic. Our results suggest that this cell line provides a valuable model with which to assess the cytotoxicity of nanoparticles in the germ line in vitro.

The effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on mouse spermatogenesis

“…Previous studies demonstrate that NPs have the capacity to penetrate the blood-testis barrier and some of them have toxic action on male germ cells [30][31][32][33]. Braydich-Stolle et al showed that mammalian spermatogonial stem cells are sensitive to Ag-NPs [5].…”

“…Many recent in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate that most nanoparticles (NPs) show an adverse or toxic effect on male germ cells [4,5]. NPs are materials with at least one dimension ≤100 nm, and this large surface-to-volume ratio results in unique characteristics compared to their corresponding bulk materials [6].…”

Effect of beta-carotene on titanium oxide nanoparticles-induced testicular toxicity in mice

“…Braydich-Stolle et al showed that mammalian spermatogonial stem cells are sensitive to TNP [5]. Gromadzka-Ostrowska et al demonstrated that even small amounts of silver NPs had a toxic impact on the germ cells and reduced sperm quality [31].…”

“…Many recent in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate that most nanoparticles (NPs) have an adverse or toxic action on male germ cells [4,5]. NPs are materials with at least one dimension ≤100 nm, and this large surface-to-volume ratio results in unique characteristics compared to their corresponding bulk materials [6].…”

In vitro effect of nanosilver on gene expression of superoxide dismutases and nitric oxide synthases in chicken sertoli cells

“…It has been reported that kinematic parameters of sperm was progressively reduced by higher concentrations of nanosilver in vitro (Mirshokraei et al, 2011). Following exposure to silver nanoparticles, liver, neuroendocrine and germ cell lines have shown impaired function of mitochondria (Braydich-Stolle et al, 2005;Hussain et al, 2005;Hussain et al, 2006). This characteristic of response was similar in all cells.…”