In vitro biocompatibility of calcined mesoporous silica particles and fetal blood cells.
BACKGROUND
The biocompatibility of two forms of calcined mesoporous silica particles, labeled as MCM41-cal and SBA15-cal, with fetal blood mononuclear cells was assessed in vitro.


RESULTS
Fetal mononuclear cells were isolated from umbilical cord blood and exposed to 0.5 mg/mL of MCM41-cal or SBA15-cal for several hours. Transmission electron micrographs confirmed the presence of particles in the cytosol of macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes without noticeable damage to the cellular organelles. The particles (especially MCM41-cal) were in close proximity to plasma, and nuclear and mitochondrial membranes. Biocompatibility was assessed by a functional assay that measured cellular respiration, ie, mitochondrial O(2) consumption. The rate of respiration (k(c), in μM O(2) per minute per 10(7) cells) for untreated cells was 0.42 ± 0.16 (n = 10), for cells treated with MCM41-cal was 0.39 ± 0.22 (n = 5, P > 0.966) and for cells treated with SBA15-cal was 0.44 ± 0.13 (n = 5, P > 0.981).


CONCLUSIONS
The results show reasonable biocompatibility of MCM41-cal and SBA15-cal in fetal blood mononuclear cells. Future studies are needed to determine the potential of collecting fetal cells from a fetus or neonate, loading the cells in vitro with therapeutic MCM41-cal or SBA15-cal, and reinfusing them into the fetus or neonate.
Department of Pediatrics, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Mohammed T
MT
Al Samri
Ankush V
AV
Biradar
Ahmed R
AR
Alsuwaidi
Ghazala
G
Balhaj
Suleiman
S
Al-Hammadi
Safa
S
Shehab
Suhail
S
Al-Salam
Saeed
S
Tariq
Thachillath
T
Pramathan
Sheela
S
Benedict
Tewodros
T
Asefa
Abdul-Kader
AK
Souid
D019069:Cell Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008422:Materials Testing; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D016062:Porosity; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology*
C509968:MCM-41; C509969:SBA-15; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen