Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Panel of Single- and Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes:In VitroEffects on Normal Syrian Hamster Embryo and Immortalized V79 Hamster Lung Cells

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) belong to a specific class of nanomaterials with unique properties. Because of their anticipated use in a wide range of industrial applications, their toxicity is of increasing concern. In order to determine whether specific physicochemical characteristics of CNTs are responsible for their toxicological effects, we investigated the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of eight CNTs representative of each of the commonly encountered classes: single- SW-, double- DW-, and multiwalled (MW) CNTs, purified and raw. In addition, because most previous studies of CNT toxicity were conducted on immortalized cell lines, we decided to compare results obtained from V79 cells, an established cell line, with results from SHE (Syrian hamster embryo) cells, an easy-to-handle normal cell model. After 24 hours of treatment, MWCNTs were generally found to be more cytotoxic than SW- or DWCNTs. MWCNTs also provoked more genotoxic effects. No correlation could be found between CNT genotoxicity and metal impurities, length, surface area, or induction of cellular oxidative stress, but genotoxicity was seen to increase with CNT width. The toxicity observed for some CNTs leads us to suggest that they might also act by interfering with the cell cycle, but no significant differences were observed between normal and immortalized cells.

Evaluating the mechanistic evidence and key data gaps in assessing the potential carcinogenicity of carbon nanotubes and nanofibers in humans

“…In contrast to animal data, there is ample evidence of genotoxicity in cultured cells following exposure to MWCNTs. Of the studies on pristine (as produced CNTs), 14 were positive for DNA damage (Karlsson et al 2008; Barillet et al 2010; Migliore et al 2010; Di Giorgio et al 2011; Ghosh et al 2011; Cavallo et al 2012; Kermanizadeh et al 2012, 2013; Aldeiri et al 2013; Lindberg et al 2013; Darne et al 2014; Ursini et al 2014; Visalli et al 2015; Kim et al 2016) and 4 studies showed unaltered levels of DNA strand breaks for some types of MWCNTs (Thurnherr et al 2011; Aldeiri et al 2013; Darne et al 2014; Jackson et al 2015). In a large study with 15 different MWCNTs, DNA strand break induction was determined in FE1-Muta™ mouse lung epithelial cells (5 concentrations, 12.5–200 μg/mL for 24 hr) (Jackson et al 2015).…”

Medical Aspects of Nanomaterial Toxicity

“…NIOSH has classified TiO 2 as carcinogenic. Interesting results were obtained by Darnes et al who observed that genotoxicity of carbon nanotubes increased with their width [40].…”

Stress oxidativo e alterações enzimáticas induzidas por nanotubos de carbono de paredes múltiplas (MWCNTs) funcionalizados com polietileno glicol no tecido hepático de camundongos

“…No entanto, também é correto indicar que o excesso de espécies reativas de oxigênio é prejudicial e deletério para a fisiologia hepática (TONG;YIN, 2013). De fato, há evidências abundantes que associam estresse oxidativo e distúrbios e evolução das doenças, dentre as quais a toxicidade hepática induzida por MWCNT, tanto em estudos in vitro como in vivo (DARNE et al, 2014;POLAND, 2012;PATLOLLA et al, 2011).…”