Cytotoxic and pro-inflammatory effects of molybdenum and tungsten disulphide on human bronchial cells

• Published in: Nanotechnology reviews (Berlin) 2022-03, Vol.11 (1), p.1263-1272
• Main Authors: Zapór, Lidia, Chojnacka-Puchta, Luiza, Sawicka, Dorota, Miranowicz-Dzierżawska, Katarzyna, Skowroń, Jolanta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Assaying; Cell viability; Colonies; Cytokines; Cytotoxicity; cytotoxicity assay; Disulfides; Exposure; holotomographic microscopy; IL-1β; Inflammation; Interleukin 6; Interleukins; lung cells; Molybdenum; Molybdenum disulfide; molybdenum disulphide; mRNA; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Risk assessment; Toxicity; Tungsten; Tungsten disulfide; tungsten disulphide
• ISSN: 2191-9097; 2191-9089; 2191-9097
• DOI: 10.1515/ntrev-2022-0073

This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory responses induced by tungsten disulphide (WS ) and molybdenum disulphide (MoS ) nanoparticles (NPs) in human bronchial cells (BEAS-2B). For cytotoxicity assessment, the cells were exposed to different concentrations (2.5–200 µg/mL) of WS -NPs or MoS -NPs for 24 and 48 h and then the MTT assay was performed. Afterwards, long-term toxicity was assessed by the colony forming efficiency assay (CFEA) during a 10 days’ exposure of the cells. For pro-inflammatory responses, the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) mRNA was estimated by the real-time PCR method. Both nanomaterials showed similar cytotoxic effects on BEAS-2B cells assessed by the MTT assay, reduction in cell viability to approx. 60–70% at concentrations of 2.5 and 5 μg/mL after 24 and 48 h. The percentage viability remained relatively constant at this level across all concentrations above 5 μg/mL. In long-term exposure, both nanomaterials inhibited colony formation in a wide range of concentrations up to 100 µg/mL. MoS -NPs were slightly more cytotoxic than WS -NPs. Additionally, MoS -NPs caused an increase in mRNA levels of cytokines, IL-1β, and IL-6 at concentration of 50 µg/mL, while WS -NPs did not cause any changes in the level of mRNA for both cytokines. We also visualised the changes in the cells as a result of WS -NPs or MoS -NPs exposure (2.5 and 25 µg/mL) holotomographic microscopy. This work demonstrates the hazardous potential of both nanomaterials and indicate that WS and MoS nanoparticles should be included in the occupational risk assessment.