Matthias Voetz

Cytotoxicity screening of 23 engineered nanomaterials using a test matrix of ten cell lines and three different assays

BackgroundEngineered nanomaterials display unique properties that may have impact on human health, and thus require a reliable evaluation of their potential toxicity. Here, we performed a standardized in vitro screening of 23 engineered nanomaterials. We thoroughly characterized the physicochemical properties of the nanomaterials and adapted three classical in vitro toxicity assays to eliminate nanomaterial interference. Nanomaterial toxicity was assessed in ten representative cell lines.ResultsSix nanomaterials induced oxidative cell stress while only a single nanomaterial reduced cellular metabolic activity and none of the particles affected cell viability. Results from heterogeneous and chemically identical particles suggested that surface chemistry, surface coating and chemical composition are likely determinants of nanomaterial toxicity. Individual cell lines differed significantly in their response, dependent on the particle type and the toxicity endpoint measured.ConclusionIn vitro toxicity of the analyzed engineered nanomaterials cannot be attributed to a defined physicochemical property. Therefore, the accurate identification of nanomaterial cytotoxicity requires a matrix based on a set of sensitive cell lines and in vitro assays measuring different cytotoxicity endpoints.

Interaction of differently functionalized fluorescent silica nanoparticles with neural stem- and tissue-type cells.

Abstract Engineered amorphous silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs), due to simple and low cost production, are increasingly used in commercial products and produced on an industrial scale. Despite the potential benefits, there is a concern that exposure to certain types of SiO2 NPs may lead to adverse health effects. As some NPs can cross the blood--brain barrier and may, in addition, reach the central nervous system through the nasal epithelium, this study addresses the responses of different neural tissue-type cells including neural stem cells, neurons, astrocytes and microglia cells to increasing doses of 50 nm fluorescent core/shell SiO2 NPs with different [–NH2, –SH and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)] surface chemistry. The SiO2 NPs are characterized using a variety of physicochemical methods. Assays of cytotoxicity and cellular metabolism indicates that SiO2 NPs cause cell death only at high particle doses, except PVP-coated SiO2 NPs which do not harm cells even at very high concentrations. All SiO2 NPs, except those coated with PVP, form large agglomerates in physiological solutions and adsorb a variety of proteins. Except PVP-NPs, all SiO2 NPs adhere strongly to cell surfaces, but internalization differs depending on neural cell type. Neural stem cells and astrocytes internalize plain SiO2, SiO2–NH2 and SiO2–SH NPs, while neurons do not take up any NPs. The data indicates that the PVP coat, by lowering the particle–biomolecular component interactions, reduces the biological effects of SiO2 NPs on the investigated neural cells.

Toward advancing nano-object count metrology: a best practice framework.

Background: A movement among international agencies and policy makers to classify industrial materials by their number content of sub–100-nm particles could have broad implications for the development of sustainable nanotechnologies. Objectives: Here we highlight current particle size metrology challenges faced by the chemical industry due to these emerging number percent content thresholds, provide a suggested best-practice framework for nano-object identification, and identify research needs as a path forward. Discussion: Harmonized methods for identifying nanomaterials by size and count for many real-world samples do not currently exist. Although particle size remains the sole discriminating factor for classifying a material as “nano,” inconsistencies in size metrology will continue to confound policy and decision making. Moreover, there are concerns that the casting of a wide net with still-unproven metrology methods may stifle the development and judicious implementation of sustainable nanotechnologies. Based on the current state of the art, we propose a tiered approach for evaluating materials. To enable future risk-based refinements of these emerging definitions, we recommend that this framework also be considered in environmental and human health research involving the implications of nanomaterials. Conclusion: Substantial scientific scrutiny is needed in the area of nanomaterial metrology to establish best practices and to develop suitable methods before implementing definitions based solely on number percent nano-object content for regulatory purposes. Strong cooperation between industry, academia, and research institutions will be required to fully develop and implement detailed frameworks for nanomaterial identification with respect to emerging count-based metrics. Citation: Brown SC, Boyko V, Meyers G, Voetz M, Wohlleben W. 2013. Toward advancing nano-object count metrology: a best practice framework. Environ Health Perspect 121:1282–1291; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1306957

The suppression of water-diffusion in polycarbonate through Ar- and He-plasma as a new model for the origin of improved adhesion of Al

Abstract The diffusion process from water into and out of the bulk of an injection-molded bisphenol-A-polycarbonate sample has been characterized by weighing. In the equilibrium state, the amount of water inside the polycarbonate depends, therefore, on the environmental humidity. Transferring the experiments into UHV showed that the amount of water could be determined by the time-integrated H 2 O-signal of a mass-spectrometer as depending on the storage time in vacuum before measurement. After Ar-plasma etching; samples showed a reduced H 2 O-signal, which is the consequence of a hydrophobic barrier on the sample’s surface created by the plasma. The thesis of a barrier was supported by XPS-measurements, which showed a decrease of the polar carboxylic group of the polycarbonate.

Transport of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Across Calu-3 Cell Monolayers Modelling the Air-Blood Barrier

Abstract As inhalation is the major exposure route for nanoparticles, the question if inhaled particles can overcome the respiratory epithelial barrier and hence enter the body is of great interest. Here, we adapted the for soluble substances well established Calu-3 in vitro air-blood barrier model to the use of nanoparticle transport testing. As the usually used filter supports hindered particle transport due to their small pore size, supports with a pore size of 3 μm had to be used. On those filters, barrier and transport characteristics of the cells were tested and culture conditions changed to obtain optimal conditions. Functionality was confirmed with transport experiments with polystyrene model particles prior to testing of industrially relevant engineered metal oxide particles. Except for CeO2 nanoparticles, no transport across the epithelial barrier model could be detected. Paracellular permeability and barrier function was not affected by any of the nanoparticles, except for ZrO2.

Antibodies under pressure: A Small-Angle X-ray Scattering study of Immunoglobulin G under high hydrostatic pressure

In the present work two subclasses of the human antibody Immunoglobulin G (IgG) have been investigated by Small-Angle X-ray Scattering under high hydrostatic pressures up to 5kbar. It is shown that IgG adopts a symmetric T-shape in solution which differs significantly from available crystal structures. Moreover, high-pressure experiments verify the high stability of the IgG molecule. It is not unfolded by hydrostatic pressures of up to 5kbar but a slight increase of the radius of gyration was observed at elevated pressures.