An Integrated Multilevel Analysis Profiling Biosafety and Toxicity Induced by Indium- and Cadmium-Based Quantum Dots in Vivo

Allocca, M. ; Mattera, L. ; Bauduin, A. ; Miedziak, B. ; Moros, M. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; De Trizio, L. ; Tino, A. ; Reiss, P. ; Ambrosone, A. ; Tortiglione, C.

Resumen: Indium phosphide quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as a new class of fluorescent nanocrystals for manifold applications, from biophotonics to nanomedicine. Recent efforts in improving the photoluminescence quantum yield, the chemical stability and the biocompatibility turned them into a valid alternative to well established Cd-based nanocrystals. In vitro studies provided first evidence for the lower toxicity of In-based QDs. Nonetheless, an urgent need exists for further assessment of the potential toxic effects in vivo. Here we use the freshwater polyp Hydra vulgaris, a well-established model previously adopted to assess the toxicity of CdSe/CdS nanorods and CdTe QDs. A systematic multilevel analysis was carried out in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro comparing toxicity end points of CdSe- and InP-based QDs, passivated by ZnSe/ZnS shells and surface functionalized with penicillamine. Final results demonstrate that both the chemical composition of the QD core (InP vs CdSe) and the shell play a crucial role for final outcomes. Remarkably, in absence of in vivo alterations, cell and molecular alterations revealed hidden toxicity aspects, highlighting the biosafety of InP-based nanocrystals and outlining the importance of integrated multilevel analyses for proper QDs risk assessment.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b00373

Año: 2019

Publicado en: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 53, 7 (2019), 3938-3947
ISSN: 0013-936X

Factor impacto JCR: 7.864 (2019)

Categ. JCR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES rank: 15 / 265 = 0.057 (2019) - Q1 - T1
Categ. JCR: ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL rank: 6 / 53 = 0.113 (2019) - Q1 - T1

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 2.704 - Chemistry (miscellaneous) (Q1) - Medicine (miscellaneous) (Q1) - Environmental Chemistry (Q1)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/660228/EU/Profiling gene expression in Hydra vulgaris following Gold Nanoparticle-mediated hyperthermia/HyHeat

Tipo y forma: Artículo (PostPrint)

Área (Departamento): Área Química Orgánica (Dpto. Química Orgánica)