title: Copper ferrite nanoparticle-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.
abstract: Copper ferrite (CuFe2O4) nanoparticles (NPs) are important magnetic materials currently under research due to their applicability in nanomedicine. However, information concerning the biological interaction of copper ferrite NPs is largely lacking. In this study, we investigated the cellular response of copper ferrite NPs in human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. Copper ferrite NPs were prepared by co-precipitation technique with the thermal effect. Prepared NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission transmission electron microscopy (FETEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Characterization data showed that copper ferrite NPs were crystalline, spherical with smooth surfaces and average diameter of 15nm. Biochemical studies showed that copper ferrite NPs induce cell viability reduction and membrane damage in MCF-7 cells and degree of induction was dose- and time-dependent. High SubG1 cell population during cell cycle progression and MMP loss with a concomitant up-regulation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 genes suggested that copper ferrite NP-induced cell death through mitochondrial pathway. Copper ferrite NP was also found to induce oxidative stress in MCF-7 cells as indicated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and glutathione depletion. Cytotoxicity due to copper ferrite NPs exposure was effectively abrogated by N-acetyl-cysteine (ROS scavenger) suggesting that oxidative stress could be the plausible mechanism of copper ferrite NPs toxicity. Further studies are underway to explore the toxicity mechanisms of copper ferrite NPs in different types of human cells. This study warrants further generation of extensive biointeraction data before their application in nanomedicine.
authors.affiliation: King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: maqusood@gmal.com.
authors.forename: Maqusood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahamed
authors.affiliation: King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mohd Javed
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Akhtar
authors.affiliation: King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Hisham A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Alhadlaq
authors.affiliation: King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Nanomedicine Research Unit, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Aws
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alshamsan
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053453:Caspase 9 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology; D015870:Gene Expression; D005978:Glutathione / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010316:Particle Size; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C523076:CuFe2O4; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D003300:Copper; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; C506433:CASP9 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D053453:Caspase 9; D005978:Glutathione; D000111:Acetylcysteine
keywords: Biointeraction; Copper ferrite NPs; MCF-7 cells; Nanomedicine; Oxidative stress