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Endes, C.* ; Schmid, O. ; Kinnear, C.* ; Mueller, S.* ; Camarero-Espinosa, S.* ; Vanhecke, D.* ; Foster, E.J.* ; Petri-Fink, A.* ; Rothen-Rutishauser, B.M.* ; Weder, C.* ; Clift, M.J.D.*

An in vitro testing strategy towards mimicking the inhalation of high aspect ratio nanoparticles.

Part. Fibre Toxicol. 11:40 (2014)
Publ. Version/Full Text DOI PMC
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Background: The challenge remains to reliably mimic human exposure to high aspect ratio nanoparticles (HARN) via inhalation. Sophisticated, multi-cellular in vitro models are a particular advantageous solution to this issue, especially when considering the need to provide realistic and efficient alternatives to invasive animal experimentation for HARN hazard assessment. By incorporating a systematic test-bed of material characterisation techniques, a specific air-liquid cell exposure system with real-time monitoring of the cell-delivered HARN dose in addition to key biochemical endpoints, here we demonstrate a successful approach towards investigation of the hazard of HARN aerosols in vitro. Methods: Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) derived from cotton and tunicates, with differing aspect ratios (~9 and ~80), were employed as model HARN samples. Specifically, well-dispersed and characterised CNC suspensions were aerosolised using an " Air Liquid Interface Cell Exposure System" (ALICE) at realistic, cell-delivered concentrations ranging from 0.14 to 1.57 μg/cm2. The biological impact (cytotoxicity, oxidative stress levels and pro-inflammatory effects) of each HARN sample was then assessed using a 3D multi-cellular in vitro model of the human epithelial airway barrier at the air liquid interface (ALI) 24 hours post-exposure. Additionally, the testing strategy was validated using both crystalline quartz (DQ12) as a positive particulate control in the ALICE system and long fibre amosite asbestos (LFA) to confirm the susceptibility of the in vitro model to a fibrous insult. Results: A rapid (≤4 min), controlled nebulisation of CNC suspensions enabled a dose-controlled and spatially homogeneous CNC deposition onto cells cultured under ALI conditions. Real-time monitoring of the cell-delivered CNC dose with a quartz crystal microbalance was accomplished. Independent of CNC aspect ratio, no significant cytotoxicity (p > 0.05), induction of oxidative stress, or (pro)-inflammatory responses were observed up to the highest concentration of 1.57 μg/cm2. Both DQ12 and LFA elicited a significant (p < 0.05) pro-inflammatory response at sub-lethal concentrations in vitro.Conclusion: In summary, whilst the present study highlights the benign nature of CNCs, it is the advanced technological and mechanistic approach presented that allows for a state of the art testing strategy to realistically and efficiently determine the in vitro hazard concerning inhalation exposure of HARN.
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Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Scientific Article
Keywords Air Liquid Interface ; Alternative Testing Strategies ; Cellulose Nanocrystals ; Characterisation ; High Aspect Ratio Nanoparticles ; In Vitro ; Inhalation; Epithelial Airway Barrier; Walled Carbon Nanotubes; Respiratory-tract; Polymer Nanocomposites; Aerosol Generation; Oxidative Stress; Exposure System; Cell Exposure; Cellulose; Toxicity
Language english
Publication Year 2014
HGF-reported in Year 2014
ISSN (print) / ISBN 1743-8977
e-ISSN 1743-8977
Quellenangaben Volume: 11, Issue: 1, Pages: , Article Number: 40 Supplement: ,
Publisher Biomed Central Ltd
Publishing Place London
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
POF-Topic(s) 30202 - Environmental Health
Research field(s) Lung Research
PSP Element(s) G-505000-008
PubMed ID 25245637
Scopus ID 84908080475
Erfassungsdatum 2014-11-10