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Effect of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles on Skin Tumor Cells and Dermal Fibroblasts
Lirija Alili1, Swetlana Chapiro1, Gernot U Marten2
1Institute of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology I, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Abstract:
Iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles have been used in many biomedical approaches. The toxicity of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on mammalian cells was published recently. Though, little is known about the viability of human cells after treatment with Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Herein, we examined the toxicity, production of reactive oxygen species, and invasive capacity after treatment of human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) and cells of the squamous tumor cell line (SCL-1) with Fe3O4 nanoparticles. These nanoparticles had an average size of 65 nm. Fe3O4 nanoparticles induced oxidative stress via generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent initiation of lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, the question was addressed of whether Fe3O4 nanoparticles affect myofibroblast formation, known to be involved in tumor invasion. Herein, Fe3O4 nanoparticles prevent the expression alpha-smooth muscle actin and therefore decrease the number of myofibroblastic cells. Moreover, our data show in vitro that concentrations of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, which are nontoxic for normal cells, partially reveal a ROS-triggered cytotoxic but also a pro-invasive effect on the fraction of squamous cancer cells surviving the treatment with Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The data herein show that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles appear not to be adequate for use in therapeutic approaches against cancer cells, in contrast to recently published data with cerium oxide nanoparticles.
Insights
Iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles show toxicity to human cells, inducing oxidative stress and affecting cancer cell invasion. These nanoparticles are not suitable for cancer therapy, unlike cerium oxide nanoparticles.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Nanotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles are utilized in various biomedical applications.
- Limited data exists on the viability of human cells exposed to Fe3O4 nanoparticles.
- Understanding nanoparticle toxicity is crucial for safe biomedical use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the toxicity of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) and squamous cell carcinoma line (SCL-1).
- To assess the impact of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cellular invasion.
- To evaluate the potential of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in cancer therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of HDF and SCL-1 cells with 65 nm Fe3O4 nanoparticles.
- Measurement of cell viability, ROS generation, and lipid peroxidation.
- Analysis of alpha-smooth muscle actin expression to assess myofibroblast formation and invasive capacity.
Main Results:
- Fe3O4 nanoparticles induced oxidative stress through ROS generation and lipid peroxidation in human cells.
- Fe3O4 nanoparticles inhibited myofibroblast differentiation by reducing alpha-smooth muscle actin expression.
- Non-toxic concentrations for normal cells exhibited a dual effect on cancer cells: cytotoxicity and promotion of invasion.
Conclusions:
- Fe3O4 nanoparticles are toxic to human cells and induce oxidative stress.
- Fe3O4 nanoparticles negatively impact cancer cell invasion by affecting myofibroblast formation.
- Fe3O4 nanoparticles are not suitable for therapeutic applications against cancer cells, contrasting with other nanoparticles like cerium oxide.
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