Low Cytotoxicity of Inorganic Nanotubes and Fullerene-Like Nanostructures in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells: Relation to Inflammatory Gene Induction and Antioxidant Response

Abstract

The cytotoxicity of tungsten disulfide nano tubes (INT-WS2) and inorganic fullerene-like molybdenum disulfide (IF-MoS2) nanoparticles (NPs) used in industrial and medical applications was evaluated in comparison to standard environmental particulate matter. The IF-MoS2 and INT-WS2 reside in vesicles/inclusion bodies, suggestive of endocytic vesicles. In cells representing the respiratory, immune and metabolic systems, both IF-MoS2 and INT-WS2 NPs remained nontoxic compared to equivalent concentrations (up to 100 μg/mL in the medium) of silica dioxide (SiO2), diesel engine-derived and carbon black NPs, which induced cell death. Associating with this biocompatibility of IF-MoS2\INT-WS2, we demonstrate in nontransformed human bronchial cells (NL-20) relative low induction of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. Moreover, IF-MoS2 and INT-WS2 activated antioxidant response as measured by the antioxidant response element (ARE) using a luciferase reporter, and induced Nrf2-mediated Phase II detoxification genes. Collectively, our findings suggest that the lower cytotoxicity of IF-MoS2 and INT-WS2 NPs does not reflect general biological inertness. Rather, compared to other NP's, it likely results from decreased pro-inflammatory activation, but a comparable significant capacity to induce protective antioxidant/detoxification defense mechanisms.

Nanocomposite biomaterials based on poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) and WS2 inorganic nanotubes

“…Thus, INT-WS 2 are low-cost, environmentally friendly and biocompatible nanollers since they possess much lower cytotoxicity than other nanoparticles like silica or carbon black. 16 Taking advantage of their properties, advanced polymer/INT nanocomposites with different morphologies, such as epoxy/INT-WS 2 and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/INT-WS 2 nanobers have been successfully developed. 17,18 More speci-cally in the eld of biodegradable and renewable thermoplastics, we have recently demonstrated that the incorporation of INT-WS 2 offers new possibilities to improve the crystallization and mechanical performance of these polymers in order to compete with increasingly expensive petroleum based materials.…”

Non-Isothermal Cold-Crystallization Behavior and Kinetics of Poly(l-Lactic Acid)/WS2 Inorganic Nanotube Nanocomposites

“…Their optical properties allow various other applications in fields such as nanolithography or photocatalysis [19]. Equally important, the cytotoxicity of the INT-WS 2 was evaluated positively in comparison to standard environmental particulate matter, demonstrating much lower cytotoxicity than other nanoparticles, such as silica or carbon black [20]. Promising results have also been recently found with respect to the biocompatibility of INT(IF)-WS 2 with salivary gland cells [21].…”

Isothermal crystallization kinetics and melting behavior of poly(l-lactic acid)/WS2 inorganic nanotube nanocomposites

“…tungsten oxide and H 2 S or sulfur) are relatively inexpensive. In addition, INT-WS 2 (or IF-MoS 2 ) are low-cost, environmentally friendly and biocompatible nanofillers with much lower cytotoxicity than other nanoparticles, such as silica or carbon black [28]. Positive results were recently also obtained in testing the biocompatibility of INT(IF)-WS 2 with salivary gland cells, suggesting promising future medical applications of these nanoparticles [29].…”