Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) affect cell physiology and cell architecture.

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) find their way in various industrial applications. Due to the expected increased production of various carbon nanotubes and nanoparticle containing products, exposure to engineered nanoparticles will also increase dramatically in parallel. In this study the effects of SWCNT raw material and purified SWCNT (SWCNT bundles) on cell behaviour of mesothelioma cells (MSTO-211H) and on epithelial cells (A549) had been investigated. The effect on cell behaviour (cell proliferation, cell activity, cytoskeleton organization, apoptosis and cell adhesion) were dependent on cell type, SWCNT quality (purified or not) and SWCNT concentration.

In vitro cytotoxicity of oxide nanoparticles: comparison to asbestos, silica, and the effect of particle solubility.

Early indicators for nanoparticle-derived adverse health effects should provide a relative measure for cytotoxicity of nanomaterials in comparison to existing toxicological data. We have therefore evaluated a human mesothelioma and a rodent fibroblast cell line for in vitro cytotoxicity tests using seven industrially important nanoparticles. Their response in terms of metabolic activity and cell proliferation of cultures exposed to 0-30 ppm nanoparticles (microg g(-1)) was compared to the effects of nontoxic amorphous silica and toxic crocidolite asbestos. Solubility was found to strongly influence the cytotoxic response. The results further revealed a nanoparticle-specific cytotoxic mechanism for uncoated iron oxide and partial detoxification or recovery after treatment with zirconia, ceria, or titania. While in vitro experiments may never replace in vivo studies, the relatively simple cytotoxic tests provide a readily available pre-screening method.