Aerosol generation and characterization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes exposed to cells cultured at the air-liquid interface.
Aerosol generation and characterization are critical components in the assessment of the inhalation hazards of engineered nanomaterials (NMs). An extensive review was conducted on aerosol generation and exposure apparatus as part of an international expert workshop convened to discuss the design of an in vitro testing strategy to assess pulmonary toxicity following exposure to aerosolized particles. More specifically, this workshop focused on the design of an in vitro method to predict the development of pulmonary fibrosis in humans following exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Aerosol generators, for dry or liquid particle suspension aerosolization, and exposure chambers, including both commercially available systems and those developed by independent researchers, were evaluated. Additionally, characterization methods that can be used and the time points at which characterization can be conducted in order to interpret in vitro exposure results were assessed. Summarized below is the information presented and discussed regarding the relevance of various aerosol generation and characterization techniques specific to aerosolized MWCNTs exposed to cells cultured at the air-liquid interface (ALI). The generation of MWCNT aerosols relevant to human exposures and their characterization throughout exposure in an ALI system is critical for extrapolation of in vitro results to toxicological outcomes in humans.
Integrated Laboratory Systems, Inc, Contractor Supporting the National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
William W
WW
Polk
PETA International Science Consortium Ltd, London, UK.
Monita
M
Sharma
Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.
Christie M
CM
Sayes
The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI, USA.
Jon A
JA
Hotchkiss
PETA International Science Consortium Ltd, London, UK. AmyJC@piscltd.org.uk.
Amy J
AJ
Clippinger
D055371:Acute Lung Injury / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000336:Aerosols; D000826:Animal Testing Alternatives; D000818:Animals; D015824:Blood-Air Barrier / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D010316:Particle Size; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000379:methods*
D000336:Aerosols; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon
ALI; Aerosol engineering; Air-liquid interface; Cell culture model; Characterization; Exposure; MWCNTs