Cell-based Assays for Cytotoxic and Pro-inflammatory Effects of Gold Nanoparticles

摘要

Nanoparticles are widely used in industrial products and have great potential in medical applications, however, their toxicity and effects on health are unknown. This study has explored the in vitro cytotoxic and proinflammatory effects of 15 nm gold nanoparticles. Little to no cytotoxicity was observed in RAW264.7 murine macrophages, Jurkat T lymphocytes, RAJIB lymphocytes, and WHTBF-6 lung fibroblasts after 24 hour treatment with up to 2.5 μg/cm~2 nanoparticles. The ability for RAW264.7 cells to internalize fluorescent latex beads was not significantly inhibited by 24 hr treatment with nanoparticles. An increase in the production of the cytokine TNF-α was observed in RAW264.7 cells after treatment with 2.5 μg/cm~2 nanoparticles. TNF-α levels in freshly isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were elevated after treatment with 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 ug/cm~2 nanoparticles. An increase in phosphorylation of the MAP kinase proteins SAPK and INK, was observed in RAW264.7 cells after treatment with 0.25 to 2.5 μg/cm~2 nanoparticles.