In Vitro Assessment of Nano-Cerium Oxide (nCeO2) and Nano-Ferric Oxide (nFe2O3) on Fibrogenic and Carcinogenic Potential

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Goal of the present study is to investigate the specific cellular responses to nCeO2 and nFe2O3 in various lung cell types and develop an in vitro chronic exposure model to predict the potential fibrogenic and carcinogenic effects. Primary human lung fibroblasts were treated with nCeO2 (size dXRD = 17 nm, SSA = 61 m2/g) and direct stimulation of collagen production (a hallmark of fibrosis) was evaluated. In separate experiments, primary human small airway epithelial cells were exposed to a sub-lethal concentration (0.625 µg/cm2) of nCeO2 and nFe2O3 (size dXRD = 20 nm, SSA = 50 m2/g) for 6 weeks and their effects on cell transformation and invasion were evaluated. Our results showed new data that nCeO2 can induce a dose-dependent increase in collagen production by lung fibroblasts; nCeO2 can induce proliferation of lung epithelial cells as compared to vehicle-treated control and nFe2O3 induced neoplastic transformation of epithelial cells as determined by soft-agar colony formation assay and transwell cell invasion assay, suggesting their potential carcinogenicity. The in vitro model described in this study and new data provide impact and significance of a simple high-throughput platform to screen nanomaterial fibrogenicity/carcinogenicity, and address the critical need for evaluating nanomaterials for risk assessment.

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Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Nanotechnology 2014: Electronics, Manufacturing, Environment, Energy & Water
Published: June 15, 2014
Pages: 146 - 149
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Energy & Sustainability
Topics: Advanced Manufacturing, Environmental Health & Safety of Nanomaterials
ISBN: 978-1-4822-5830-1