Silver nanoparticles induce cytotoxicity, but not cell transformation or genotoxicity on Balb3T3 mouse fibroblasts

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are one of the most common nanomaterials present in nanotechnologybased products. Here, the physical chemical properties of Ag NPs suspensions of 44 nm, 84 nm and 100 nm sizes synthesized in our laboratory were characterized. The NM-300 material (average size of 17 nm), supplied by the Joint Research Centre Nanomaterials Repository was also included in the present study. The Ag NPs potential cytotoxicity was tested on the Balb3T3 cell line by the Colony Forming Efficiency assay, while their potential morphological neoplastic transformation and genotoxicity were tested by the Cell Transformation Assay and the micronucleus test, respectively. After 24 h of exposure, NM-300 showed cytotoxicity with an IC50 of 8 µM (corresponding to 0.88 µg/mL) while for the other nanomaterials tested, values of IC50 were higher than 10 µM (1.10 µg/mL). After 72 h of exposure, Ag NPs showed size-dependent cytotoxic effect with IC50 values of 1.5 µM (1.16 µg/mL) for NM-300, 1.7 µM (1.19 µg/mL) for Ag 44 nm, 1.9 µM (0.21 µg/mL) for Ag 84 nm and 3.2 µM (0.35 µg/mL) for Ag 100 nm. None of the Ag NPs tested was able to induce either morphological neoplastic transformation or micronuclei formation.

Morphological transformation induced by silver nanoparticles in a Balb/c 3T3 A31-1-1 mouse cell model to evaluate in vitro carcinogenic potential

“…The effective concentration (10.60 μg/mL) of AgNPs in our study is comparable to that published by others (0.01-20.00 μg/mL). In contrast, Broggi et al [ 24 ] showed a negative impact of AgNPs on MN formation in the same cell line used in our study. In dispersion conditions without the use of a stabilizing agent, the diameter of AgNPs in our study was 80.0 ± 6.0 nm, which is smaller than that reported in the study by Broggi et al [ 24 ] (117.8 ± 16.6 nm).…”

“…In contrast, Broggi et al [ 24 ] showed a negative impact of AgNPs on MN formation in the same cell line used in our study. In dispersion conditions without the use of a stabilizing agent, the diameter of AgNPs in our study was 80.0 ± 6.0 nm, which is smaller than that reported in the study by Broggi et al [ 24 ] (117.8 ± 16.6 nm). In addition, the effective concentration (10.60 μg/mL) of AgNPs in our study was higher than the exposure concentration (0.11-1.08 μg/mL) of AgNPs reported by Broggi et al [ 24 ].…”

“…In addition, the effective concentration (10.60 μg/mL) of AgNPs in our study was higher than the exposure concentration (0.11-1.08 μg/mL) of AgNPs reported by Broggi et al [ 24 ]. Therefore, we suggest that the positive results obtained in our study may be due to differences in size and exposure concentration compared to the study by Broggi et al [ 24 ]. Several in vivo MN tests of AgNPs have shown controversial results.…”

“…In dispersion conditions without the use of a stabilizing agent, the diameter of AgNPs in our study was 80.0 ± 6.0 nm, which is smaller than that reported in the study by Broggi et al [ 24 ] (117.8 ± 16.6 nm). In addition, the effective concentration (10.60 μg/mL) of AgNPs in our study was higher than the exposure concentration (0.11-1.08 μg/mL) of AgNPs reported by Broggi et al [ 24 ]. Therefore, we suggest that the positive results obtained in our study may be due to differences in size and exposure concentration compared to the study by Broggi et al [ 24 ].…”

Predictability of silver nanoparticle speciation and toxicity in ecotoxicological media

“…for Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, 2,26 Lemna minor, 27 bacteria 28 and cells. 29 Effective toxic concentrations were obtained for diverse aquatic organisms (Daphnia magna, Lemna minor and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata) and for terrestrial organisms like Arthrobacter globiformis and Eisenia andrei. 30,31 Depending on the test media composition and the sensitivity of the organisms, the effective concentrations of AgNPs and the most frequently used control AgNO 3 exhibit considerable differences which are shown for bacteria 30 and algae.…”