title: Facet Energy and Reactivity versus Cytotoxicity: The Surprising Behavior of CdS Nanorods.
abstract: Responsible development of nanotechnology calls for improved understanding of how nanomaterial surface energy and reactivity affect potential toxicity. Here, we challenge the paradigm that cytotoxicity increases with nanoparticle reactivity. Higher-surface-energy {001}-faceted CdS nanorods (CdS-H) were less toxic to Saccharomyces cerevisiae than lower-energy ({101}-faceted) nanorods (CdS-L) of similar morphology, aggregate size, and charge. CdS-H adsorbed to the yeast's cell wall to a greater extent than CdS-L, which decreased endocytosis and cytotoxicity. Higher uptake of CdS-L decreased cell viability and increased endoplasmatic reticulum stress despite lower release of toxic Cd(2+) ions. Higher toxicity of CdS-L was confirmed with five different unicellular microorganisms. Overall, higher-energy nanocrystals may exhibit greater propensity to adsorb to or react with biological protective barriers and/or background constituents, which passivates their reactivity and reduces their bioavailability and cytotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University , Wei Jin Rd. 94, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University , Wei Jin Rd. 94, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Meiqing
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University , Wei Jin Rd. 94, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Haijun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, College of Life Science, Nankai University , Wei Jin Rd. 94, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Qilin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, College of Life Science, Nankai University , Wei Jin Rd. 94, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Mingchun
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University , Wei Jin Rd. 94, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University , Wei Jin Rd. 94, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Chengdong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University , Wei Jin Rd. 94, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Guandao
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Tianjin University , Wei Jin Rd. 92, Tianjin 300072, China.
authors.forename: Yingjin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Airport Economic Zone, Seven West Rd. 32, Tianjin 300308, China.
authors.forename: Huanhuan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhai
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University , Wei Jin Rd. 94, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University , 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States.
authors.forename: Pedro J J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Alvarez
mesh_terms: D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D059865:Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry*; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000737:chemistry; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000187:drug effects; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D013440:Sulfides
keywords: CdS nanorods; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Surface energy; crystal facets; nanotoxicity