Silver nanoparticles: Significance of physicochemical properties and assay interference on the interpretation of in vitro cytotoxicity studies.
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have generated a great deal of interest in the research, consumer product, and medical product communities due to their antimicrobial and anti-biofouling properties. However, in addition to their antimicrobial action, concerns have been expressed about the potential adverse human health effects of AgNPs. In vitro cytotoxicity studies often are used to characterize the biological response to AgNPs and the results of these studies may be used to identify hazards associated with exposure to AgNPs. Various factors, such as nanomaterial size (diameter), surface area, surface charge, redox potential, surface functionalization, and composition play a role in the development of toxicity in in vitro test systems. In addition, the interference of AgNPs with in vitro cytotoxicity assays may result in false negative or false positive results in some in vitro biological tests. The goal of this review is to: 1) summarize the impact of physical-chemical parameters, including size, shape, surface chemistry and aggregate formation on the in vitro cytotoxic effects of AgNPs; and 2) explore the nature of AgNPs interference in in vitro cytotoxicity assays.
Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, United States.
Kausar B
KB
Riaz Ahmed
Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, United States.
Amber M
AM
Nagy
Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, United States.
Ronald P
RP
Brown
Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, United States.
Qin
Q
Zhang
Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, United States.
Subhas G
SG
Malghan
Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, United States. Electronic address: peter.goering@fda.hhs.gov.
Peter L
PL
Goering
D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
D012834:Silver
Assay interference; Cytotoxicity; Nanoparticle biosynthesis; Physico-chemical characteristics; Silver nanoparticles