Susceptibility of HepG2 Cells to Silver Nanoparticles in Combination with other Metal/Metal Oxide Nanoparticles.

Sylwia Męczyńska-Wielgosz,Magdalena Czajka,Marcin Kruszewski,Lucyna Kapka-Skrzypczak,Maria Wojewódzka,Magdalena Matysiak-Kucharek,Barbara Jodłowska-Jędrych

doi:10.3390/ma13102221

Abstract

The fast-growing use of nanomaterials in everyday life raises the question about the safety of their use. Unfortunately, the risks associated with the use of nanoparticles (NPs) have not yet been fully assessed. The majority of studies conducted so far at the molecular and cellular level have focused on a single-type exposure, assuming that NPs act as the only factor. In the natural environment, however, we are likely exposed to a mixture of nanoparticles, whose interactions may modulate their impact on living organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicological effects caused by in vitro exposure of HepG2 cells to AgNPs in combination with AuNPs, CdTe quantum dot (QD) NPs, TiO2NPs, or SiO2NPs. The results showed that the toxicity of nanoparticle binary mixtures depended on the type and ratio of NPs used. In general, the toxicity of binary mixtures of NPs was lower than the sum of toxicities of NPs alone (protective effect).

Highlights

Nanoparticles (NPs) are defined as a material that has all dimensions less than 100 nm.Chemical, physical, and biological properties of NPs are determined by their size, shape, structure, composition, and surface coating and usually differ from those of the bulk material of the same form [1]
As there is a lack of systematic studies on this topic, in this study, we aimed to investigate the toxicity of AgNPs, renowned for their toxicity, in combination with AuNPs, cadmium–tellurium quantum dots (CdTeQDs), SiO2 NPs, and TiO2 NPs
NPs as compared to single ones showed an increase in hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential, as well as the polydispersity index (PDI) (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Nanoparticles (NPs) are defined as a material that has all dimensions less than 100 nm. Physical, and biological properties of NPs are determined by their size, shape, structure, composition, and surface coating and usually differ from those of the bulk material of the same form [1]. Unique physicochemical properties make NPs a superior material, indispensable in numerous commercial and medical applications. NPs penetrate the human body and cross all-natural barriers [2]. The same properties that make NPs beneficial for society raise concerns about their potential toxicity to cells, organisms, and the environment. Numerous scientific studies have been focused on the identification of expressed toxicity of different NPs. Many studies have shown detrimental effects that NPs exert on cells, tissues, and whole organisms. The toxicity of silver NPs (AgNPs), cadmium–tellurium quantum dots (CdTeQDs), and silica NPs (SiO2 NPs) has been described by us and others several times

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion