Cytotoxic and genotoxic evaluation of different synthetic amorphous silica nanomaterials in the V79 cell line.

The nature of occupational risks and hazards in industries that produce or use synthetic amorphous silica (SAS) nanoparticles is still under discussion. Manufactured SAS occur in amorphous form and can be divided into two main types according to the production process, namely, pyrogenic silica (powder) and precipitated silica (powder, gel or colloid). The physical and chemical properties of SAS may vary in terms of particle size, surface area, agglomeration state or purity, and differences in their toxicity potential might therefore be expected. The aim of this study was to compare the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of representative manufactured SAS samples in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79 cells). Five samples from industrial SAS producers were evaluated, that is, two pyrogenic SAS powders (with primary particle sizes of 20 nm and 25/70 nm), one precipitated SAS powder (20 nm) and two precipitated SAS colloids (15 and 40/80 nm). V79 cell cultures were treated with different concentrations of SAS pre-dispersed in bovine serum albumin -water medium. Pyr (pyrogenic) 20, Pre (precipitated) 20 and Col (colloid) 15 significantly decreased the cell viability after 24 h of exposure, whilst Pyr 25/70 and Col 40/80 had negligible effects. The cytotoxicity of Pyr 20, Pre 20 and Col 15 was revealed by the induction of apoptosis, and Pyr 20 and Col 15 also produced DNA damage. However, none of the SAS samples generated intracellular reactive oxidative species, micronuclei or genomic mutations in V79 cells after 24 h of exposure. Overall, the results of this study show that pyrogenic, precipitated and colloidal manufactured SAS of around 20 nm primary particle size can produce significant cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in V79 cells. In contrast, the coarser-grained pyrogenic and colloid SAS (approximately 50 nm) yielded negligible toxicity, despite having been manufactured by same processes as their finer-grained equivalents. To explain these differences, the influence of particle agglomeration and oxidative species formation is discussed.

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of panel of single- and multiwalled carbon nanotubes: in vitro effects on normal Syrian hamster embryo and immortalized v79 hamster lung cells.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) belong to a specific class of nanomaterials with unique properties. Because of their anticipated use in a wide range of industrial applications, their toxicity is of increasing concern. In order to determine whether specific physicochemical characteristics of CNTs are responsible for their toxicological effects, we investigated the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of eight CNTs representative of each of the commonly encountered classes: single- SW-, double- DW-, and multiwalled (MW) CNTs, purified and raw. In addition, because most previous studies of CNT toxicity were conducted on immortalized cell lines, we decided to compare results obtained from V79 cells, an established cell line, with results from SHE (Syrian hamster embryo) cells, an easy-to-handle normal cell model. After 24 hours of treatment, MWCNTs were generally found to be more cytotoxic than SW- or DWCNTs. MWCNTs also provoked more genotoxic effects. No correlation could be found between CNT genotoxicity and metal impurities, length, surface area, or induction of cellular oxidative stress, but genotoxicity was seen to increase with CNT width. The toxicity observed for some CNTs leads us to suggest that they might also act by interfering with the cell cycle, but no significant differences were observed between normal and immortalized cells.

In vitro cytotoxicity and transforming potential of industrial carbon dust (fibers and particles) in syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells.

Carbon fibers have many applications, mainly in high-tech industries such as the aviation industry. Eleven carbon samples (fibers and particles) coming from an aeronautic group were tested for their cytotoxicity and carcinogenic potential using in vitro short-term assays in Syrian hamster embryo cells. These samples were taken during each important step of the process, i.e. from the initial heating of polyacrylonitrile fibers to pure carbon fibers. They were compared to an asbestos fiber, an amorphous silica, and two commercial graphite powders. Their physical-chemical characteristics and their capacity to release reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined. This study showed that none of the carbon samples was able to generate ROS as measured by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance analysis, and in our biological assays, they demonstrated no morphological transformation potential and low cytotoxicity compared to positive control (chrysotile asbestos).

Cytotoxic and transforming effects of silica particles with different surface properties in Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells.

Several crystalline and amorphous silica dusts (two quartz of natural origin, one cristobalite of natural and two of biogenic origin, three amorphous diatomite earths and one pyrogenic amorphous silica) were studied in the SHE cell transformation assay, in order to compare their cytotoxic and transforming potencies and examine the role of the structure and of the state of the surface on these effects. Some samples were modified by grinding, etching and heating with the aim of establishing relationships between single surface properties and biological responses. The results showed that some quartz and cristobalite dusts (crystalline) as well as the diatomaceous earths (amorphous), but not the pyrogenic amorphous silica, were cytotoxic and induced morphological transformation of SHE cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The ranking in cytotoxicity was different from that in transforming potency, suggesting two separate molecular mechanisms for the two effects. The cytotoxic and transforming potencies were different from one dust to another, even among the same structural silicas. The type of crystalline structure (quartz vs cristobalite) and the crystalline vs biogenic amorphous form did not correlate with cytotoxic or transforming potency of silica dusts. Comparison of cellular effects induced by original and surface modified samples revealed that several surface functionalities modulate cytotoxic and transforming potencies. The cytotoxic effects appeared to be related to the distribution and abundance of silanol groups and to the presence of trace amounts of iron on the silica surface. Silica particles with fractured surfaces and/or iron-active sites, able to generate reactive oxygen species, induced SHE cell transformation. The results show that the activity of silica at the cellular level is sensitive to the composition and structure of surface functionalities and confirm that the biological response to silica is a surface originated phenomenon.

Study of Cell Division Aberrations Induced by Some Silica Dusts in Mammalian Cells in Vitro.

Previously we observed that some crystalline and amorphous (diatomaceous earths) silicas (but not pyrogenic amorphous silica) induced morphological transformation of Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells. In order to explore the mechanisms of the silica-induced cell transformation, in this study we have examined the possibility that silica may cause genomic changes by interfering with the normal events of mitotic division. The SHE cells were exposed to transforming samples of Min-U-Sil 5 quartz and amorphous diatomite earth (DE) as well as to inactive amorphous synthetic Aerosil 0X50 at concentrations between 9 and 36 µg/cm(2) of culture slide. Effects on the mitotic spindle and on chromosome congression and segregation through the mitotic stages were concurrently examined by differential and indirect immunofluorescence stainings using anti-ß-tubulin antibody. Min-U-Sil 5 and DE dusts induced a significant increase in the number of aberrant mitotic cells detected by differential staining. Increased frequencies of monopolar mitoses and scattered chromosomes as well as a small incidence of lagging chromosomes in DE-treated cells were observed. The immunostaining was more efficient in the detection of spindle disturbances. Min-U-Sil induced a significantly concentration-dependent increase of monopolar spindles. At the highest concentration, highly disorganized prophase spindles and prometaphase multipolars were observed. These damages caused a concentration-dependent decrease in metaphase to anaphase transition. DE-induced spindle aberrations did not reach significant levels over control, although increase in monopolar and multipolar spindles were recorded. Exposure to OX50 particles did not disrupt spindle integrity. To determine whether micronuclei (MN) arise from divisional abnormalities induced by the active samples, we performed in SHE and human bronchial epithelial cells kinetochore (K)-specific and centromere (C)-specific staining, respectively. A concentration-dependent increase in K(+) and C(+) MN with increase of K(+)/K(-) and C(+)/C(-) MN ratio were induced by Min-U-Sil in both cells systems. The DE sample was positive only in SHE cells. The results suggest that some silicas are potential aneugens by disturbance of cell division, leading to genomic imbalance that can be one of the mechanisms of silica-induced cell transformation.

Cytotoxic and transforming effects of some iron-containing minerals in Syrian hamster embryo cells.

Four physicochemically characterized iron-containing minerals, one fibrous (a nemalite [brucite]) and three nonfibrous (a biotite [phyllosilicate], a magnetite (Fe3O4), and a goethite [FeOOH alpha]), were studied for cytotoxicity and morphological transformation of Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells. When colony-forming efficiency was used as a measure of cytotoxicity, it appeared that the nemalite was about 1.7-fold more cytotoxic than the biotite and magnetite. However, if the inhibitory effect on the cell growth was considered the nemalite appeared to be 8-fold more effective. The analysis of the cell cycle kinetics by flow cytometry revealed a time- and dose-dependent delay in the progression of cells through the cell cycle, with the accumulation of cells in S and G2-M phases, more particularly in the cultures treated with nemalite. While the goethite was neither cytotoxic nor transforming, the other three dusts were, in a dose-dependent manner, efficient in inducing morphological transformation of SHE cells. According to their transforming potency they ranged as follows: nemalite > biotite > magnetite. A 18-fold higher treatment concentration of magnetite than that of nemalite was necessary to induce the same transformation frequency. The iron chelator desferrioxamine abolished the transforming effect of nemalite. The results suggest that (i) the cytotoxicity and the transformation are induced by some divalent iron-containing minerals and that they are two distinct processes; (ii) there is a varying ability among these dusts to induce cell transformation; and (iii) the bioavailability of divalent iron leading to formation of reactive iron-oxygen species could mediate the transforming potency of a mineral. Physicochemical studies correlated to biological effects of many metallic mine dusts are the only approach for understanding their mechanisms of action and their role in occupational pathology.

Cytotoxic and neoplastic transforming effects of industrial hexavalent chromium pigments in Syrian hamster embryo cells.

Twenty eight moderately water-soluble to insoluble chromium (VI) compounds, such as zinc and lead chromate, industrial and laboratory synthesized pigments, and the analytical reagents strontium, barium and calcium chromate, were physicochemically characterized and studied for cytotoxicity and morphological transformation in cultured Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells. In vivo validation of malignancy of transformed SHE cells was performed. A high physicochemical diversity among the complex chromium pigments was revealed. The solubility of the compounds was greatly increased after incubation in a complete medium and even higher under cell culture conditions. The cytotoxic effects appeared to be due principally to extracellular solubilized chromium because the most solubilized compounds. Zn, Ca and Sr chromates, were equitoxic at about the same Cr concentration treatment and 8-fold more cytotoxic than less soluble compounds such as some Pb chromates and Ba chromate. However, certain physicochemical properties of lead chromate pigments could also influence their cytotoxic activity. All test compounds were, in a dose-dependent manner, efficient in inducing morphological transformation of SHE cells. Many of the Cr pigments, although physicochemically different, were similarly effective in transformation induction. Nevertheless, compounds among Zn and Pb chromates had various transforming potencies. Ba chromate was the least active in inducing transformation. Certain physicochemical properties could mediate the transforming activity but no particular relationship could be established between any one of the physicochemical parameters and the transforming potency. Cloned morphologically-transformed colonies of SHE cells were grown in soft agar medium and showed true neoplastic behaviour by tumour formation in syngeneic animals. These results show that various chromate pigments containing either Zn or Pb, of medium to very low aqueous solubility, induced neoplastic transformation of SHE cells.

Cellular uptake, cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of insoluble chromic oxide in V79 Chinese hamster cells.

The cellular uptake, the cytotoxicity and the induction of resistance to 6-thioguanine (6-TG) in Chinese hamster V79 cells exposed to insoluble crystalline trivalent chromium [Cr(III)], Cr2O3, were investigated. Intracytoplasmic Cr2O3 crystalline particle-containing vacuoles were observed by electron microscopy. Concentrations of 50-200 micrograms/ml did not have a marked killing effect but did show a predominantly concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on cell cycle progression with accumulation of cells in G2 phase. Exposure for 18 h to Cr2O3 induced a statistically significant (p less than 0.001) increase in the mutation frequency of up to 10-fold over the controls. Expression time was 6 days for the lowest concentration and 9 days for the highest. Culture of 6-TGr clones in selective media indicated that they were mutants at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT) locus. Examination of growth patterns of Cr2O3-induced mutants showed that, after a delay in reinitiating cell growth, they had varying growth kinetics. The results indicate the ability of a particulate (Cr(III) compound to induce mutation in a mammalian cell system and the usefulness of such systems for detecting genotoxic insoluble metal compounds.