The Role of Iron Impurities in the Toxic Effects Exerted by Short Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) in Murine Alveolar Macrophages

Lung toxicity mediated by multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) has been widely demonstrated and recently associated with induction of carcinogenic asbestos-like effects, but the chemical features that drive this toxic effect have still not been well elucidated. The presence of metals as trace contam...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A Part A, 2013-09, Vol.76 (18), p.1056-1071
Main Authors: Aldieri, E., Fenoglio, I., Cesano, F., Gazzano, E., Gulino, G., Scarano, D., Attanasio, A., Mazzucco, G., Ghigo, D., Fubini, B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Asbestos
Carbon
Cell Line
Comet Assay
Cytotoxicity
Free Radical Scavengers
Glutamic Acid - metabolism
Iron - chemistry
Iron - toxicity
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase - metabolism
Lipid Peroxidation
Lungs
Macrophages, Alveolar - drug effects
Mice
Nanotubes
Nanotubes, Carbon - toxicity
Oxidative stress
Reactive Oxygen Species
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Summary:Lung toxicity mediated by multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) has been widely demonstrated and recently associated with induction of carcinogenic asbestos-like effects, but the chemical features that drive this toxic effect have still not been well elucidated. The presence of metals as trace contaminants during MWCNT preparation, in particular iron (Fe) impurities, plays an important role in determining a different cellular response to MWCNT. Our goal was to clarify the mechanisms underlying MWCNT-induced toxicity with correlation to the presence of Fe impurities by exposing murine alveolar macrophages to two different MWCNT samples, which differed only in the presence or absence of Fe. Data showed that only Fe-rich MWCNT were significantly cytotoxic and genotoxic and induced a potent cellular oxidative stress, while Fe-free MWCNT did not exert any of these adverse effects. These results confirm that Fe content represents an important key constituent in promoting MWCNT-induced toxicity, and this needs to be taken into consideration when planning new, safer preparation routes.
ISSN:1528-7394
1087-2620
2381-3504
DOI:10.1080/15287394.2013.834855