Layered double hydroxide nanoparticles: Impact on vascular cells, blood cells and the complement system

Area of Science:

• Nanomedicine
• Biomaterials Science
• Toxicology

Background:

• Layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles are increasingly explored for drug delivery and bio-imaging.
• Assessing the biosafety of LDH nanoparticles is crucial for their clinical translation.
• Blood circulation significantly influences nanoparticle biodistribution and potential toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the biosafety of Magnesium Aluminum (MgAl)-LDH nanoparticles.
• To investigate the impact of MgAl-LDHs on key circulatory system components.
• To assess potential toxicity to vascular cells, red blood cells, and complement activation.

Main Methods:

• Assessed proliferation and viability of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to MgAl-LDHs.
• Evaluated SMC migration in the presence of MgAl-LDHs.
• Quantified red blood cell (RBC) lysis and complement activation (C5a levels) upon LDH exposure.

Main Results:

• MgAl-LDHs demonstrated no cytotoxicity to SMCs and HUVECs up to 500 and 10 µg/mL, respectively.
• LDH nanoparticles did not affect SMC migration at 10 µg/mL.
• Negligible RBC lysis observed at 400 µg/mL, with no significant complement activation (C5a) at 20 or 200 µg/mL.

Conclusions:

• MgAl-LDH nanoparticles exhibit low toxicity towards vascular and blood cells.
• The nanoparticles demonstrate low immunogenicity, indicated by minimal complement activation.
• These findings support the potential of LDH nanoparticles for safe biomedical applications.