title: Quantum dot-related genotoxicity perturbation can be attenuated by PEG encapsulation.
abstract: Nanomaterial-biosystem interaction is emerging as a major concern hindering wide adoption of nanomaterials. Using quantum dots (Qdots) of different sizes (Qdot-440nm and Qdot-680nm) as a model system, we studied the effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG) thin-layer surface modification in attenuating Qdot-related cytotoxicity, genotoxicity perturbation and oxidative stress in a cellular system. We found that uncoated Qdots (U-Qdots) made of core/shell CdSe/ZnS could indeed induce cytotoxic effects, including the inhibition of cell growth. Also, both the neutral comet assay and γH2AX foci formation showed that U-Qdots caused significant DNA damage in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In contrast, results from cytotoxicity analysis and γH2AX generation indicate minimal impact on cells after exposure to PEG-coated Qdots. This lack of observed toxic effects from PEG-coated Qdots may be due to the fact that PEG-coating can inhibit ROS generation induced by U-Qdots. Based on these observations, we conclude that the genotoxicity of Qdots could be significantly decreased following proper surface modification, such as PEG encapsulation. In addition, PEG encapsulation may also serve as a general method to attenuate nanotoxicity for other nanoparticles.
authors: State Key Laboratory for Infectious Diseases Diagnosis and Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Ju
authors: Guanglin
authors: G
authors: Zhang
authors: Chen
authors: C
authors: Zhang
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Sun
authors: Ying
authors: Y
authors: Jiang
authors: Chunlan
authors: C
authors: Yan
authors: Penelope J
authors: PJ
authors: Duerksen-Hughes
authors: Xing
authors: X
authors: Zhang
authors: Xinqiang
authors: X
authors: Zhu
authors: Fanqing Frank
authors: FF
authors: Chen
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020552:Comet Assay; D053903:DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded / Q000187:drug effects; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D004339:Drug Compounding; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology; D006657:Histones / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008422:Materials Testing; D010316:Particle Size; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045663:Quantum Dots; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000032:analysis; D018036:Selenium Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology; D013440:Sulfides / Q000633:toxicity*; D013499:Surface Properties / Q000187:drug effects; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D015415:Biomarkers; D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; C468783:H2AX protein, human; D006657:Histones; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D018036:Selenium Compounds; D013440:Sulfides; D017967:Zinc Compounds; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C058667:cadmium selenide; C031238:zinc sulfide; D000111:Acetylcysteine