Assessing two-way interactions between cells and inorganic nanoparticles.
C Cristallini1, N Barbani2,3, S Bianchi4
1Institute for Chemical and Physical Processes, IPCF ss Pisa, CNR, c/o Largo Lucio Lazzarino, 56126, Pisa, Italy. caterina.cristallini@cnr.it.
Journal of Materials Science. Materials in Medicine
|December 8, 2019
Summary
This study investigated interactions between inorganic nanomaterials (INMs) and lung cancer cells. Silica INMs showed no toxicity, while zinc oxide INMs exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity and cellular changes, highlighting the need for rigorous nanomaterial safety assessments.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterial science
- Cell biology
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Understanding nanoparticle-cell interactions is crucial for safe applications in medicine.
- Inorganic nanomaterials (INMs) require thorough evaluation of their biological impact.
- A549 human lung carcinoma cells provide a relevant model for studying nanomaterial-cell interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the two-way interactions between silica and zinc oxide INMs and A549 lung carcinoma cells.
- To evaluate the effects of INMs on cell viability, chemistry, and volume.
- To assess the impact of cells and culture medium on INM properties.
Main Methods:
- Dynamic light scattering (DLS) for particle size and stability.
- Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) for surface analysis.
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for chemical characterization.
Main Results:
- Silica INMs showed no cytotoxicity; zinc oxide INMs exhibited reduced cell survival at high doses and increased cell volume.
- DLS indicated better homogeneity and stability for silica INMs compared to zinc oxide INMs.
- FTIR revealed chemical modifications in cellular phospholipids, nucleic acids, and proteins upon exposure to zinc oxide INMs.
Conclusions:
- The study underscores the differential biological responses to silica and zinc oxide INMs.
- Zinc oxide INMs may pose risks due to cytotoxicity and induced cellular changes.
- Advanced characterization techniques are essential for a comprehensive understanding of nanomaterial biosafety.
