Evaluation of the Cytotoxicity and Oxidative Stress Response of CeO2-RGO Nanocomposites in Human Lung Epithelial A549 Cells

Abstract

Graphene-based nanocomposites have attracted enormous interest in nanomedicine and environmental remediation, owing to their unique characteristics. The increased production and widespread application of these nanocomposites might raise concern about their adverse health effects. In this study, for the first time, we examine the cytotoxicity and oxidative stress response of a relatively new nanocomposite of cerium oxide-reduced graphene oxide (CeO2-RGO) in human lung epithelial (A549) cells. CeO2-RGO nanocomposites and RGO were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method and characterized by relevant analytical techniques. Cytotoxicity data have shown that RGO significantly induces toxicity in A549 cells, evident by cell viability reduction, membrane damage, cell cycle arrest, and mitochondrial membrane potential loss. However, CeO2-RGO nanocomposites did not cause statistically significant toxicity as compared to a control. We further observed that RGO significantly induces reactive oxygen species generation and reduces glutathione levels. However, CeO2-RGO nanocomposites did not induce oxidative stress in A549 cells. Interestingly, we observed that CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs) alone significantly increase glutathione (GSH) levels in A549 cells as compared to a control. The GSH replenishing potential of CeO2 nanoparticles could be one of the possible reasons for the biocompatible nature of CeO2-RGO nanocomposites. Our data warrant further and more advanced research to explore the biocompatibility/safety mechanisms of CeO2-RGO nanocomposites in different cell lines and animal models.

Amination of Graphene Oxide Leads to Increased Cytotoxicity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

“…These conclusions are also supported by literature data on the ability of GO to induce the generation of intracellular ROS in other cell lines. A549 cells exposed to 10 µg/mL GO for 24 h, in comparable ROS levels to those determined in this study [48]. In human skin fibroblasts, however, no significant increase with respect to the control could be detected after 24 h of exposure to concentrations as high as 25 µg/mL [49].…”

SnO2-Doped ZnO/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites: Synthesis, Characterization, and Improved Anticancer Activity via Oxidative Stress Pathway

“… 21 Semiconductor tin oxide (SnO 2 ) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have shown great potential for biomedical applications. 5 , 22 SnO 2 and rGO can also be applied to tune physicochemical properties of metal oxide NPs including ZnO. 23 , 24 …”

<p>The Advances of Ceria Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications in Orthopaedics</p>

“…The solvents, stabilizers, and synthesis condition can influence CeO 2 -NPs' biomedical-related performances (seen in Table 2). 7,[49][50][51][52]…”