Changes in human cultured cells exposed to a perfluorocarbon emulsion

A perfluorocarbon emulsion (Fluosol-DA, 20%) produced persistent cytotoxic changes and growth inhibition in fibroblast-like human cells. After 18 hours of exposure to culture medium containing 4 percent of this perfluorochemical emulsion, normal embryonic lung fibroblasts (IMR 90 cells) and their SV40 virus-transformed counterparts (AG 2804 cells) ceased proliferation and showed degenerative changes, even if Fluosol was washed off the cell monolayer and replaced with normal medium. The morphological manifestations of Fluosol cytotoxicity included cytoplasmic vacuolation of varying but frequently marked degree. These findings raised concerns about the use of perfluorochemicals in patients until safe dose limits can be established.