Dose-dependent cytotoxicity of bismuth nanoparticles produced by LASiS in a reference mammalian cell line BALB/c 3T3

• Published in: Toxicology in vitro 2018-12, Vol.53, p.99-106
• Main Authors: Reus, Thamile Luciane, Machado, Thiago Neves, Bezerra, Arandi Ginane, Marcon, Bruna Hilzendeger, Paschoal, Ariane Caroline Campos, Kuligovski, Crisciele, de Aguiar, Alessandra Melo, Dallagiovanna, Bruno
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3T3; Apoptosis; BiNP; Bismuth; Bovine serum albumin; Cell culture; Cell death; Cytotoxicity; Fetal calf serum; Laser ablation; Mammals; Medical diagnosis; Myelin; Nanoparticles; Nanotoxicology; Serum albumin; Toxicity
• ISSN: 0887-2333; 1879-3177
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2018.07.003

Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as new potential tools for many applications in previous years. Among all types of NPs, bismuth NPs (BiNPs) have a very low cost and potential for many applications, ranging from medicine to industry. Although the toxic effects of bismuth have been studied, little is known about its toxicity at the nanoscale level. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of BiNPs produced by laser ablation synthesis in solution (LASiS) in a reference mammalian cell line to evaluate their cytotoxicity (BALB/c 3 T3 cells). We also stabilized BiNPs in two different solutions: culture medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). The cytotoxicity of BiNPs in culture medium (IC50:28.51 ± 9.96 μg/ml) and in BSA (IC50:25.54 ± 8.37 μg/ml) was assessed, and they were not significantly different. Second, the LD50 was predicted, and BiNPs were estimated as GHS class 4. We also found that cell death occurs due to apoptosis. By evaluating the interaction between BiNPs and cells at ultrastructural level, we suggest that cell death occurs once BiNPs are internalized. Additionally, we suggest that BiNPs cause cell damage because myelin figures were found inside cells that had internalized BiNPs. To date, this is the first study to assess the cytotoxicity of BiNPs produced by LASiS and to predict the possible LD50 and GHS class of BiNPs. •BiNPs covered by protein coronas seem to present higher stability•BiNPs covered with culture medium or BSA present the same cytotoxicity•Higher concentrations of BiNPs cause cell death mediated by apoptosis in 24 h•BiNPs are uptaken by cells, leading to cell damage at the ultrastructural level