Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Ceria Nanoparticles on Different Cell Lines in Vitro

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Laura De Marzi³  Antonina Monaco¹  Joaquin De Lapuente⁴  David Ramos⁴  Miquel Borras⁴  Mario Di Gioacchino²  Sandro Santucci¹ 

[1] Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila I-67100, Italy; E-Mails:;Immunotoxicology and Allergy Unit, Ageing Research Center, Department of Medicine and Science of Ageing, University “G. D’Annunzio” of Chieti Pescara, Chieti I-66013, Italy; E-Mail:;Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila I-67100, Italy; E-Mail:;PCB_Unit of Experimental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology (UTOX-PCB), Scientific Park of Barcelona, Barcelona 08028, Spain; E-Mails:

关键词: ceria nanoparticles;    short-term exposure cytotoxicity;    long-term exposure cytotoxicity;    genotoxicity;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms14023065

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Owing to their radical scavenging and UV-filtering properties, ceria nanoparticles (CeO₂-NPs) are currently used for various applications, including as catalysts in diesel particulate filters. Because of their ability to filter UV light, CeO₂-NPs have garnered significant interest in the medical field and, consequently, are poised for use in various applications. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of short-term (24 h) and long-term (10 days) CeO₂-NP exposure to A549, CaCo2 and HepG2 cell lines. Cytotoxicity assays tested CeO₂-NPs over a concentration range of 0.5 μg/mL to 5000 μg/mL, whereas genotoxicity assays tested CeO₂-NPs over a concentration range of 0.5 μg/mL to 5000 μg/mL. In vitro assays showed almost no short-term exposure toxicity on any of the tested cell lines. Conversely, long-term CeO₂-NP exposure proved toxic for all tested cell lines. NP genotoxicity was detectable even at 24-h exposure. HepG2 was the most sensitive cell line overall; however, the A549 line was most sensitive to the lowest concentration tested. Moreover, the results confirmed the ceria nanoparticles’ capacity to protect cells when they are exposed to well-known oxidants such as H₂O₂. A Comet assay was performed in the presence of both H₂O₂ and CeO₂-NPs. When hydrogen peroxide was maintained at 25 μM, NPs at 0.5 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL, and 500 μg/mL protected the cells from oxidative damage. Thus, the NPs prevented H₂O₂-induced genotoxic damage.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland.