Differential cytotoxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles

Concerns about the potential health hazards of nanomaterials are growing. To determine the potential toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles, human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma and H4 neuroglioma cells were exposed to Fe2O3, CuO and ZnO nanoparticles and their metal ion counterparts (Fe3+, Cu2+ and Zn2+) at a concentration range of 0.01–100 µM for 48 h, under the cell culture conditions: 95% O2, 5% CO2, 85% humidity, 37°C. Their ensemble cell viability was determined by MTS cell proliferation assay. A live/dead cell assay was also performed, and cellular images were acquired by a high-content fluorescence microscope and quantified by a novel computerised image analysis protocol. Our data indicated that exposure of these nanoparticles induced differential toxic effects in both SH-SY5Y and H4 cells, and the cells had dose-dependent toxic responses to the CuO nanoparticle insult. In conclusion, the toxic responses of the nanoparticles are complex, and they warrant further in vivo studies. However, it remains to be determined if these nanopartilces have synergistically enhancing or cancelling toxic effects upon both SH-SY5Y and H4 cells.