Localization of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots in the lysosomal acidic compartment of cultured neurons and its impact on viability: Potential role of ion release

► Non-functionalized CdSe/ZnS QDs can be stably incorporated into neuronal cells. ► QDs localize only in a limited fraction of the whole lysosomal compartment. ► QDs CdSe/ZnS release metal ions in acidic milieu. ► Lack of gross cytotoxic effect observed. CdSe Quantum Dots (QDs) are increasingly bein...

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Published in:Toxicology in vitro 2013-03, Vol.27 (2), p.752-759
Main Authors: Corazzari, Ingrid, Gilardino, Alessandra, Dalmazzo, Simona, Fubini, Bice, Lovisolo, Davide
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cadmium - chemistry
Cadmium Compounds - chemistry
Cadmium Compounds - pharmacology
Cd release
Cell Line
Cell Survival
Lysosomal incorporation
Lysosomes - metabolism
Mice
Neurons
Neurons - drug effects
Neurons - metabolism
Neurotoxicity
Quantum Dots
Selenium Compounds - chemistry
Selenium Compounds - pharmacology
Sulfides - chemistry
Sulfides - pharmacology
Zinc - chemistry
Zinc Compounds - chemistry
Zinc Compounds - pharmacology
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Summary:► Non-functionalized CdSe/ZnS QDs can be stably incorporated into neuronal cells. ► QDs localize only in a limited fraction of the whole lysosomal compartment. ► QDs CdSe/ZnS release metal ions in acidic milieu. ► Lack of gross cytotoxic effect observed. CdSe Quantum Dots (QDs) are increasingly being employed in both industrial applications and biological imaging, thanks to their numerous advantages over conventional organic and proteic fluorescent markers. On the other hand a growing concern has emerged that toxic elements from the QDs core would render the nanoparticles harmful to cell cultures, animals and humans. The interaction between QDs and neuronal cells in particular needs to be carefully evaluated, since nanoparticles could access the nervous system by several pathways, including the olfactory epithelium, even if no data are presently available about QDs. The pH of the environment to which the nanoparticles are exposed may play a crucial role in the stability of QDs coating. For this reason we investigated the release of metal ions from CdSe/ZnS QDs in artificial media reproducing the cytosolic and lysosomal cellular compartments characterized respectively by a neutral and an acidic pH. In the latter significant amounts of both Cd2+ and Zn2+ were released. We provide evidence that these QDs are internalized in the GT1-7 neuronal cell line and located in the lysosomal compartment. These findings can be related to a slight but significant reduction in cell survival and proliferation.
ISSN:0887-2333
1879-3177
DOI:10.1016/j.tiv.2012.12.016