TOXICOLOGY AND CELLULAR EFFECT OF MANUFACTURED NANOMATERIALS

摘要

The increasing use of nanotechnology in consumer products and medical applications underlies the importance of understanding its potential toxic effects to people and the environment. Herein are described methods and assays to predict and evaluate the cellular effects of nanomaterial exposure. We have performed whole genome expression array analysis and high content image analysis-based phenotypic measurements on human skin fibroblast cell populations exposed to multiwall carbon nano-onions (MWCNOs), multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and semiconductor nanocrystals. Here we demonstrate that exposing cells to nanomaterials at cytotoxic doses induces cell cycle arrest and increases apoptosis/necrosis, activates genes involved in cellular transport, metabolism, cell cycle regulation, and stress response. Certain nanomaterials induce genes indicative of a strong immune and inflammatory response within skin fibroblasts. Furthermore, the described MWCNOs can be used as a therapeutic in the treatment of cancer due to its cytotoxicity.