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Exposure to Cadmium Telluride Quantum Dots and Gene Expression Profile of Huh-7 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line
Hani Alothaid1, Mashael R Al-Anazi2, Arwa A Al-Qahtani3
1Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Nanoparticles have shown promising potential for efficient drug delivery, circumventing biological interferences like immunological and renal clearance and mechanical and enzymatic destruction. However, a handful of research papers have questioned the biomedical use of metal-based nanoparticles like cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe-QDs) for their cytotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic potential. Herein, we examined the effects of CdTe-QD NPs on gene expression profile of hepatocellular carcinoma (Huh-7) cell line. Huh-7 cells were treated with CdTe-QD NPs (10 μg/ml for 6, 12, and 24 hours, and 25 μg/ml for 6 and 12 hours), and transcriptomic analysis was performed using microarray to evaluate the global gene expression profile. Differential expressed genes (DEGs) were observed for both the doses (10 and 25 μg/ml) of CdTe-QD NPs at different time points. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed that genes involved in molecular function of cell cycle, organizational injury and abnormalities, cell death and survival, gene expression, cancer, organismal survival, and cellular development were differentially expressed. Overall, we have demonstrated differential expression of several genes, involved in maintaining cell survival, metabolism, and genome integrity. These findings were confirmed by RT-qPCR study for some canonical pathway genes signifying possible implication in NP toxicity-mediated cell survival and inhibition of cell death.
Insights
Cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe-QDs) impact gene expression in liver cancer cells, affecting cell cycle and survival pathways. This study highlights potential toxicity concerns for biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Nanoparticles offer advanced drug delivery but raise safety concerns.
- Metal-based nanoparticles, like CdTe-QDs, face scrutiny for potential toxicity.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (Huh-7) cell lines are a model for liver cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of CdTe-QD NPs on the gene expression profile of Huh-7 cells.
- To identify specific genes and pathways affected by CdTe-QD NP exposure.
- To assess the potential toxicological implications of CdTe-QDs in a cancer cell model.
Main Methods:
- Huh-7 cells were exposed to varying doses and durations of CdTe-QD NPs.
- Transcriptomic analysis using microarray was employed to assess global gene expression.
- Differential gene expression was analyzed, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) analysis.
- Key findings were validated using RT-qPCR.
Main Results:
- CdTe-QD NPs induced differential gene expression in Huh-7 cells at tested doses and time points.
- GO analysis indicated significant changes in genes related to cell cycle, cell death, survival, and cancer.
- Genes involved in maintaining cell survival, metabolism, and genome integrity were notably affected.
Conclusions:
- CdTe-QD NPs alter the gene expression profile of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
- The observed gene expression changes suggest potential implications for NP toxicity, cell survival, and cell death.
- Further research is warranted to fully understand the safety and efficacy of CdTe-QDs in biomedical contexts.
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