title: An investigation into the potential for different surface-coated quantum dots to cause oxidative stress and affect macrophage cell signalling in vitro.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of a series of different surface-coated quantum dots (QDs) to cause oxidative stress and affect cell signalling in J774.A1 macrophages. Organic QDs caused a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in glutathione (GSH) levels over 24 h, while COOH and NH(2) (PEG) QDs induced a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in GSH at 6 and 24 h only. J774.A1 cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration significantly increased (p < 0.01) 30 min after treatment with all QDs. Trolox was, however, able to prevent the COOH and NH(2) (PEG) QD-induced Ca(2+) signal, but not the organic QD induced effect. All QDs tested were observed to have a relatively low ability to stimulate increased expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). In conclusion, QDs differ in their interactions with macrophages according to their specific surface properties.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Nano Safety, School of Life Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK. martin.clift@ana.unibe.ch
authors.forename: Martin J D
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Clift
authors.forename: Matthew S P
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Boyles
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002460:Cell Line; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D045663:Quantum Dots; D012666:Semiconductors / Q000009:adverse effects; D013499:Surface Properties; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols