Abstract
(1) Background: Graphene is a two-dimensional atomic structure with a wide range of uses, including for biomedical applications. However, knowledge of its hazards is still limited. This work brings new cytotoxic, cytostatic, genotoxic and immunotoxic data concerning the in vitro exposure of human cell line to two types of graphene platelets (GP). It also contributes to the formation of general conclusions about the health risks of GP exposure. (2) Methods: In vitro exposure of a THP-1 cell line to three concentrations of two GP over 40 h. The cytotoxic potential was assessed by the measurement of LDH and glutathione (ROS) and by a trypan blue exclusion assay (TBEA); the cytostatic and genotoxic potential were assessed by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) test; and the immunotoxic potential was assessed by the measurement of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α. (3) Results: We found a significant dose-dependent increase in DNA damage (CBMN). The lowest observed genotoxic effect levels (LOGEL) were 5 µg/mL (GP1) and 30 µg/mL (GP2). We found no significant leaking of LDH from cells, increase in dead cells (TBEA), induction of ROS, increased levels of cytostasis, or changes in IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α levels. (4) Conclusions: The genotoxicity increased during the short-term in vitro exposure of THP-1 to two GP. No increase in cytotoxicity, immunotoxicity, or cytostasis was observed.
Highlights
Graphene is a two-dimensional (2D) atomic structure with a honeycomb lattice that has extraordinary properties, such as elasticity, mechanical stiffness and strength, high thermal and electrical conductivity, high transparency, a large specific surface area and high molecular adsorption [1,2,3]
The findings were confirmed by a trypan blue exclusion assay, where we did not observe any increase in the number of damaged cells
There was no significant change between the total number of cells exposed to graphene platelets (GP) when compared to controls after 40 h of exposure (Figure 2a)
Summary
Graphene is a two-dimensional (2D) atomic structure with a honeycomb lattice that has extraordinary properties, such as elasticity, mechanical stiffness and strength, high thermal and electrical conductivity, high transparency, a large specific surface area and high molecular adsorption [1,2,3]. The drawing of general conclusions about the degree of health hazard in human exposure to graphene is very complicated because the interactions of graphene with an organism are influenced by many physicochemical properties, such as the size, shape, purity, number of layers, surface charge, hydrophilicity, synthesis methods, dispersion state, oxidative state and the route and dose of administration [2,3,5]. The blood components circulate throughout the body and are in contact with tissue cells, organ cells and xenobiotics. From this point of view, the blood cells represent a suitable model for the evaluation of interactions between xenobiotics and tissue/organ cells and the related assessment of health hazards [1]. The human acute monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1 cell line) is considered as a suitable model for in vitro toxicological/biocompatibility studies [4]
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