Abstract
Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are being developed for use in optoelectronics. However before widespread usage, it is crucial to determine their potential effects on human health. It is accepted that Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) exert toxic effects by releasing Ag+ ions, but much less is known about whether Ag+ reacts with compounds, or any downstream bioactive effects of transformed AgNPs. Analytical high-resolution transmission electron microscopy has been employed to elucidate cellular uptake and reactivity of AgNWs inside human alveolar epithelial type 1-like cells. AgNWs were observed in the cytoplasm and membrane-bound vesicles, and precipitation of Ag2S within the cell occurred after 1 h exposure. Cell viability studies showed no evidence of cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species were not observed on exposure of cells to AgNWs. We suggest that Ag2S formation acts as a 'trap' for free Ag+, significantly limiting short-term toxicological effects-with important consequences for the safety of Ag-nanomaterials to human health.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 9839-9847 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Nanoscale |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 20 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 21 Oct 2013 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Materials Science(all)
- Medicine(all)
Cite this
Sulfidation of silver nanowires inside human alveolar epithelial cells : A potential detoxification mechanism. / Chen, Shu; Goode, Angela E.; Sweeney, Sinbad; Theodorou, Ioannis G.; Thorley, Andrew J.; Ruenraroengsak, Pakatip; Chang, Yan; Gow, Andrew; Schwander, Stephan; Skepper, Jeremy; Zhang, Junfeng; Shaffer, Milo S.; Chung, Kian Fan; Tetley, Teresa D.; Ryan, Mary P.; Porter, Alexandra E.
In: Nanoscale, Vol. 5, No. 20, 21.10.2013, p. 9839-9847.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Sulfidation of silver nanowires inside human alveolar epithelial cells
T2 - A potential detoxification mechanism
AU - Chen, Shu
AU - Goode, Angela E.
AU - Sweeney, Sinbad
AU - Theodorou, Ioannis G.
AU - Thorley, Andrew J.
AU - Ruenraroengsak, Pakatip
AU - Chang, Yan
AU - Gow, Andrew
AU - Schwander, Stephan
AU - Skepper, Jeremy
AU - Zhang, Junfeng
AU - Shaffer, Milo S.
AU - Chung, Kian Fan
AU - Tetley, Teresa D.
AU - Ryan, Mary P.
AU - Porter, Alexandra E.
PY - 2013/10/21
Y1 - 2013/10/21
N2 - Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are being developed for use in optoelectronics. However before widespread usage, it is crucial to determine their potential effects on human health. It is accepted that Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) exert toxic effects by releasing Ag+ ions, but much less is known about whether Ag+ reacts with compounds, or any downstream bioactive effects of transformed AgNPs. Analytical high-resolution transmission electron microscopy has been employed to elucidate cellular uptake and reactivity of AgNWs inside human alveolar epithelial type 1-like cells. AgNWs were observed in the cytoplasm and membrane-bound vesicles, and precipitation of Ag2S within the cell occurred after 1 h exposure. Cell viability studies showed no evidence of cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species were not observed on exposure of cells to AgNWs. We suggest that Ag2S formation acts as a 'trap' for free Ag+, significantly limiting short-term toxicological effects-with important consequences for the safety of Ag-nanomaterials to human health.
AB - Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are being developed for use in optoelectronics. However before widespread usage, it is crucial to determine their potential effects on human health. It is accepted that Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) exert toxic effects by releasing Ag+ ions, but much less is known about whether Ag+ reacts with compounds, or any downstream bioactive effects of transformed AgNPs. Analytical high-resolution transmission electron microscopy has been employed to elucidate cellular uptake and reactivity of AgNWs inside human alveolar epithelial type 1-like cells. AgNWs were observed in the cytoplasm and membrane-bound vesicles, and precipitation of Ag2S within the cell occurred after 1 h exposure. Cell viability studies showed no evidence of cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species were not observed on exposure of cells to AgNWs. We suggest that Ag2S formation acts as a 'trap' for free Ag+, significantly limiting short-term toxicological effects-with important consequences for the safety of Ag-nanomaterials to human health.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84884827887&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84884827887&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1039/c3nr03205a
DO - 10.1039/c3nr03205a
M3 - Article
VL - 5
SP - 9839
EP - 9847
JO - Nanoscale
JF - Nanoscale
SN - 2040-3364
IS - 20
ER -