Lysosomal cytotoxicity of carbon nanoparticles in cells of the molluscan immune system: An in vitro study

• Published in: Nanotoxicology 2009, Vol.3 (1), p.40-45
• Main Authors: Moore, Michael N., Readman, John A. J., Readman, James W., Lowe, David M., Frickers, Patricia E., Beesley, Amanda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: fullerene; hemocytes; innate immune system; lysosomes; mussels; Mytilus galloprovincialis; nanoparticles; nanotubes
• ISSN: 1743-5390; 1743-5404
• DOI: 10.1080/17435390802593057

The toxicity and ecotoxicity of nanomaterials is poorly understood and the risks of environmental exposure are largely unknown. In vitro cellular toxicity of C60-fullerene and carbon nanotubes was investigated by measuring the retention of a cationic probe (neutral red) within the lysosomal compartment of phagocytic blood cells (hemocytes) from marine mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis). Intra-lysosomal retention of neutral red, over time, is a measure of the stability of the lysosomal membrane and the health of the cell. Aqueous suspensions of carbon nanoparticles (C60-fullerene - 1.0 and 10 µg.ml−1) induced cytotoxicity in circulating phagocytic hemocytes, which are a key component of the molluscan innate immune system. Hemocytes exposed to the same concentration range of carbon nanotubes were unaffected. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that C60-fullerene is cytotoxic on uptake into the endocytic-lysosomal system and that cell injury may be mediated by generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).