Acute Toxicity of Cu-MOF Nanoparticles (nanoHKUST-1) towards Embryos and Adult Zebrafish.

Natalia Abramenko,Leonid Kustov,Lyubov Pelgunova,Eugeny Krysanov,Evgeny Abkhalimov,Vera Isaeva,Gregory Deyko

doi:10.3390/ijms22115568

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) demonstrate unique properties, which are prospective for drug delivery, catalysis, and gas separation, but their biomedical applications might be limited due to their obscure interactions with the environment and humans. It is important to understand their toxic effect on nature before their wide practical application. In this study, HKUST-1 nanoparticles (Cu-nanoMOF, Cu3(btc)2, btc = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate) were synthesized by the microwave (MW)-assisted ionothermal method and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The embryotoxicity and acute toxicity of HKUST-1 towards embryos and adult zebrafish were investigated. To gain a better understanding of the effects of Cu-MOF particles towards Danio rerio (D. rerio) embryos were exposed to HKUST-1 nanoparticles (NPs) and Cu2+ ions (CuSO4). Cu2+ ions showed a higher toxic effect towards fish compared with Cu-MOF NPs for D. rerio. Both forms of fish were sensitive to the presence of HKUST-1 NPs. Estimated LC50 values were 2.132 mg/L and 1.500 mg/L for zebrafish embryos and adults, respectively. During 96 h of exposure, the release of copper ions in a stock solution and accumulation of copper after 96 h were measured in the internal organs of adult fishes. Uptake examination of the major internal organs did not show any concentration dependency. An increase in the number of copper ions in the test medium was found on the first day of exposure. Toxicity was largely restricted to copper release from HKUST-1 nanomaterials structure into solution.

Highlights

Introduction published maps and institutional affilMetal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a new class of hybrid porous materials composed of metal ions and organic linkers connected via coordination bonds
Cu ions were both toxic to Previously reported toxicity nanoHKUST-1 for similar exposure conditions and species [24] is in good agreement with our results found for D. rerio embryos
Our results showed that the HKUST-1 suspension was toxic for both D. rerio adults and embryos starting withthat

Summary

Introduction

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a new class of hybrid porous materials composed of metal ions and organic linkers connected via coordination bonds. Due to their unique structure, record-high surface area, and extremely high porosity, MOFs have a great perspective in various applications. MOF materials are widely studied for gas storage, separation, agriculture, geology, sensing applications, biomedicine, and catalysis [1,2,3]. It was shown that MOF particles can be a good candidate for bactericidal application alone and as a part of composite materials resistant to bacterium strains [15,16] The ability of MOF to accommodate multiple therapeutic agents, potential antimicrobial features of some MOFs [11,12,13] in combination with unique properties of NPs [14] make nanosized MOF particles better materials for drug delivery and integration in biomedicine [7].

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Methods

Conclusion