Jandhyam S., Lai J.C.K., Lai M.B., Dukhande V.V., Bhushan A., Daniels C.K., Leung S.W., Lai J.C.K., Lai M.B.
Idaho State University, US
Keywords: cytotoxicity, human cell types, nanotoxicity of nanoparticles, silicon dioxide nanoparticles
Applications of nanomaterials (e.g., silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles) are ubiquitous. Thus, environmental and occupational exposure to these nanoparticles could pose potential health risk. SiO2 microparticles are toxic in animals in vivo and SiO2 nanoparticles are toxic in some mammalian cell types in vitro although studies using human cell types are scarce. Our goal is to systematically characterize the cytotoxic effects of SiO2 nanoparticles on various human cell types and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. In this study, we have compared the effects of the nanoparticles on human astrocytoma U-87 (astrocytes-like), human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH (neurons-like), and normal human fibroblasts. Results from MTT assay and cellular lactate dehydrogenase release suggest that treatment of the cell types with SiO2 nanoparticles (0.1-100 ug/ml) exerted dose-related, differential cytotoxic effects on the human cell types studied, the effect being least pronounced in fibroblasts. Observations of the treated cells using bright-field light microscopy were compatible with the results noted using MTT assay. We are investigating the cell signaling mechanism underlying cell death induced by SiO2 nanoparticles. Thus, our results indicate SiO2 nanoparticles exert differential cytotoxic effect on human cell types and may have implications in risk assessment of environmental and occupational exposure to these nanoparticles. (Our studies were supported by an USAMRMC Project Grant (Contract #W81XWH-07-2-0078) and NIH Grant #P20 RR016454 from the Idaho INBRE Program of the National Center for Research Resources.)
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Nanotechnology 2008: Life Sciences, Medicine & Bio Materials – Technical Proceedings of the 2008 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 2
Published: June 1, 2008
Pages: 126 - 129
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Personal & Home Care, Food & Agriculture
Topic: Environmental Health & Safety of Nanomaterials
ISBN: 978-1-4200-8504-4