Abstract

Surface properties are often hypothesized to be important factors in the development of safer forms of nanomaterials (NMs). However, the results obtained from studying the cellular responses to NMs are often contradictory. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the surface properties of silica nanoparticles and their cytotoxicity against a murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7). The surface of the silica nanoparticles was either unmodified (nSP70) or modified with amine (nSP70-N) or carboxyl groups (nSP70-C). First, the properties of the silica nanoparticles were characterized. RAW264.7 cells were then exposed to nSP70, nSP70-N, or nSP70-C, and any cytotoxic effects were monitored by analyzing DNA synthesis. The results of this study show that nSP70-N and nSP70-C have a smaller effect on DNA synthesis activity by comparison to unmodified nSP70. Analysis of the intracellular localization of the silica nanoparticles revealed that nSP70 had penetrated into the nucleus, whereas nSP70-N and nSP70-C showed no nuclear localization. These results suggest that intracellular localization is a critical factor underlying the cytotoxicity of these silica nanoparticles. Thus, the surface properties of silica nanoparticles play an important role in determining their safety. Our results suggest that optimization of the surface characteristics of silica nanoparticles will contribute to the development of safer forms of NMs.

Highlights

  • A range of nanomaterials (NMs) have been designed and used in a number of different industrial applications, such as medicine, cosmetics, and foods

  • We have previously shown that silica nanoparticles display a different intracellular localization compared with submicron- and micro-sized silica particles, and induce a greater cytotoxic response [15]

  • The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxicity caused by exposure of a murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) to silica nanoparticles whose surface was either unmodified or modified with amine or carboxyl groups

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Summary

Introduction

A range of nanomaterials (NMs) have been designed and used in a number of different industrial applications, such as medicine, cosmetics, and foods. We have previously shown that silica nanoparticles display a different intracellular localization compared with submicron- and micro-sized silica particles, and induce a greater cytotoxic response [15]. Some recent articles have focused on the possible influence of surface charge in terms of the cellular uptake and/or cytotoxicity of nanoparticles [16,17,18,19].

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