Potentiometric biosensor for studying hydroquinone cytotoxicity in vitro

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cell Biology
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Cellular processes exhibit electrochemical properties amenable to biosensor detection.
• Potentiometric biosensors offer non-invasive, real-time monitoring of extracellular environment changes.
• Cellular potential changes at the cell/sensor interface indicate cytotoxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate hydroquinone cytotoxicity in cultured mammalian V79 cells using a potentiometric sensor array.
• Evaluate electrode substrates (Au, PPy-HQ, PPy-PS) for cell growth and controllable hydroquinone release.
• Assess the potential of potentiometric biosensors for in vitro cytotoxicity studies and drug discovery.

Main Methods:

• Designed and characterized electrode substrates (Au, PPy-HQ, PPy-PS) for cell culture.
• Studied controllable release of hydroquinone from polypyrrole (PPy) substrates.
• Employed a potentiometric sensor array for real-time monitoring of V79 cell responses to hydroquinone.

Main Results:

• Hydroquinone exposure demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of V79 cell proliferation, growth, and attachment.
• Low-dose hydroquinone (5 microM) exposure for over 15 hours induced enhanced V79 cell adaptability to subsequent high toxic doses.
• Potentiometric biosensor monitoring revealed dose-dependent effects and adaptive responses in real-time.

Conclusions:

• Potentiometric biosensors provide sensitive, non-invasive, real-time monitoring for in vitro cytotoxicity assessment.
• Hydroquinone exhibits dose-dependent cytotoxicity and induces adaptive survival mechanisms in V79 cells.
• The developed potentiometric sensor system shows promise for drug discovery applications.