title: In vitro cytotoxicity of oxide nanoparticles: comparison to asbestos, silica, and the effect of particle solubility.
abstract: Early indicators for nanoparticle-derived adverse health effects should provide a relative measure for cytotoxicity of nanomaterials in comparison to existing toxicological data. We have therefore evaluated a human mesothelioma and a rodent fibroblast cell line for in vitro cytotoxicity tests using seven industrially important nanoparticles. Their response in terms of metabolic activity and cell proliferation of cultures exposed to 0-30 ppm nanoparticles (microg g(-1)) was compared to the effects of nontoxic amorphous silica and toxic crocidolite asbestos. Solubility was found to strongly influence the cytotoxic response. The results further revealed a nanoparticle-specific cytotoxic mechanism for uncoated iron oxide and partial detoxification or recovery after treatment with zirconia, ceria, or titania. While in vitro experiments may never replace in vivo studies, the relatively simple cytotoxic tests provide a readily available pre-screening method.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Tobias J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Brunner
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wick
authors.forename: Pius
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manser
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spohn
authors.forename: Robert N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Grass
authors.forename: Ludwig K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Limbach
authors.forename: Arie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bruinink
authors.forename: Wendelin J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Stark
mesh_terms: D001194:Asbestos / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles; D012015:Reference Standards; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D001194:Asbestos; D012822:Silicon Dioxide