Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
07:45
Estimation of Urinary Nanocrystals in Humans using Calcium Fluorophore Labeling and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis
Published on: February 9, 2021
4.1K
Intracellular calcium levels as screening tool for nanoparticle toxicity
Claudia Meindl1, Tatjana Kueznik1, Martina Bösch2
1Center for Medical Research, Medical University of Graz, Austria.
Journal of Applied Toxicology : JAT
|May 16, 2015
Summary
Engineered nanoparticles can cause cell damage, impacting viability and inducing apoptosis. Particle size and surface properties significantly influence these toxic effects, with calcium ion levels indicating damage.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterial science
- Toxicology
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Engineered nanoparticles offer revolutionary industrial and medical applications.
- Nanoparticle properties like size, surface charge, and shape influence cytotoxicity.
- Cell damage mechanisms include membrane disruption, apoptosis, organelle damage, and oxidative stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of nanoparticle size and surface properties on cellular toxicity.
- To determine the role of surface charge in nanoparticle-induced cell damage.
- To correlate intracellular calcium levels with cytotoxic effects.
Main Methods:
- Utilized polystyrene and silica nanoparticles of varying sizes and surface charges.
- Assessed cell viability, membrane integrity, apoptosis, lysosome function, oxidative stress, and intracellular calcium levels.
- Exposed cells to nanoparticles and analyzed outcomes after short and 24-hour intervals.
Main Results:
- 20 nm polystyrene and 12/40 nm silica particles induced membrane damage and apoptosis regardless of surface charge.
- Oxidative stress was observed with 20 nm polystyrene particles (plain and amine-functionalized).
- Lysosomal damage occurred with plain 20 nm polystyrene and amidine 200 nm polystyrene particles, suggesting a role for surface charge in specific cases.
Conclusions:
- Nanoparticle size and surface properties are critical determinants of cytotoxicity.
- Intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]) increases are linked to cytotoxicity and can help characterize membrane damage.
- Further research into surface charge effects is warranted for specific nanoparticle sizes.
