Advanced Science (Nov 2020)

Multiparametric Profiling of Engineered Nanomaterials: Unmasking the Surface Coating Effect

  • Audrey Gallud,
  • Mathilde Delaval,
  • Pia Kinaret,
  • Veer Singh Marwah,
  • Vittorio Fortino,
  • Jimmy Ytterberg,
  • Roman Zubarev,
  • Tiina Skoog,
  • Juha Kere,
  • Manuel Correia,
  • Katrin Loeschner,
  • Zahraa Al‐Ahmady,
  • Kostas Kostarelos,
  • Jaime Ruiz,
  • Didier Astruc,
  • Marco Monopoli,
  • Richard Handy,
  • Sergio Moya,
  • Kai Savolainen,
  • Harri Alenius,
  • Dario Greco,
  • Bengt Fadeel

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202002221
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 22
pp. n/a – n/a

Abstract

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Abstract Despite considerable efforts, the properties that drive the cytotoxicity of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) remain poorly understood. Here, the authors inverstigate a panel of 31 ENMs with different core chemistries and a variety of surface modifications using conventional in vitro assays coupled with omics‐based approaches. Cytotoxicity screening and multiplex‐based cytokine profiling reveals a good concordance between primary human monocyte‐derived macrophages and the human monocyte‐like cell line THP‐1. Proteomics analysis following a low‐dose exposure of cells suggests a nonspecific stress response to ENMs, while microarray‐based profiling reveals significant changes in gene expression as a function of both surface modification and core chemistry. Pathway analysis highlights that the ENMs with cationic surfaces that are shown to elicit cytotoxicity downregulated DNA replication and cell cycle responses, while inflammatory responses are upregulated. These findings are validated using cell‐based assays. Notably, certain small, PEGylated ENMs are found to be noncytotoxic yet they induce transcriptional responses reminiscent of viruses. In sum, using a multiparametric approach, it is shown that surface chemistry is a key determinant of cellular responses to ENMs. The data also reveal that cytotoxicity, determined by conventional in vitro assays, does not necessarily correlate with transcriptional effects of ENMs.

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