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Risk assessment on-a-chip: a cell-based microfluidic device for immunotoxicity screening.
Arianna Oddo1,2, Mariana Morozesk1,3, Enzo Lombi4
1Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University Parkville Victoria 3052 Australia nicolas.voelcker@monash.edu tommy.tong@monash.edu.
Nanoscale Advances
|September 22, 2022
Summary
This study developed a microfluidic device to test nanoparticle toxicity on immune cells. Flow conditions significantly increased silver nanoparticle toxicity, suggesting static tests may underestimate nanomaterial risks.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Immunotoxicology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Nanomaterials offer unique properties for industrial and clinical use.
- Concerns exist regarding nanomaterial toxicity and immune system interactions.
- Assessing nanomaterial cytotoxicity accurately is crucial for safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a microfluidic device for assessing nanoparticle cytotoxicity on immune cells under flow.
- To compare nanoparticle toxicity under static versus dynamic flow conditions.
- To evaluate the suitability of current toxicological screening methods.
Main Methods:
- Development of a microfluidic-based cell biochip.
- Administration of 10 nm silver nanoparticles to human B lymphocytes under laminar flow.
- Comparison of cytotoxicity in microfluidic devices and conventional well plates (static vs. dynamic flow).
Main Results:
- Exposure to silver nanoparticles under flow conditions showed a 3-fold increase in toxicity compared to static conditions.
- Flow administration potentially enhances cell-nanoparticle interactions.
- Static platforms may underestimate nanomaterial cytotoxic effects.
Conclusions:
- Microfluidic devices with flow administration offer a more accurate method for nanomaterial toxicity screening.
- Conventional static methods may lead to underestimation of nanoparticle toxicity.
- The developed flow system is a valuable tool for preliminary nanomaterial screening.
