Table 4 Size-dependent cytotoxicity of NPs
From: Engineered nanoparticles interacting with cells: size matters
NPs | Size (nm, Ø) | Cell lines | Evaluation techniques | Main conclusions | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Au | 0.8–15 | SK-MEL-28, HeLa, L929, J774A1 | TEM, MTT assays, FACS | Cytotoxicity depends on size, not ligand chemistry; small NPs more toxic | [89] |
QDs | 2.2, 5.2 | PC12, N9 | MTT assays | Smaller NPs more toxic | [72] |
Au | 5, 15 | Balb/3Â T3 | Colony forming efficiency, Trypan Blue assays | 5Â nm, toxic; 15Â nm, non-toxic | [95] |
Au | 3–38 | J774 A1 | Sizing and counting of cells | AuNPs, increased toxicity for larger NPs; AgNPs, no size-dependence in toxicity | [93] |
Ag | 3–25 | ||||
Au | 10–25 | HDMEC, A549, NCIH441 | MTS assays, Ki-67 expression, LDH release | Size not a significant factor for cytotoxicity compared with surface ligands | [96] |
Ag | 15–55 | F-12 K | MTT assays, LDH leakage, ROS production, MMP, inflammatory response | Increased toxicity for smaller NPs | [97] |
Ag | 4–70 | U937 | Cell viability, ROS production, cytokine release assays | Size-dependent toxicity (4 nm highest) | [90] |
SiO2 | 32, 83 | Caco-2 | WST-1 assays, comet assays | No cytotoxicity detected for either size | [55] |
polymer | 45, 90 | NR8383, Caco-2 | Mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS production, ATP depletion, TNF-α release | Positively charged 45-nm NPs more toxic than equally charged 90-nm NPs | [92] |
Ag | 10–100 | MC3T3, PC12 | Cell viability, ROS production, LDH release assays, gene expression, apoptosis detection | 10 nm: greatest amount of apoptosis | [98] |
TiO2 | 14–196 | osteoblasts, L-02, HEK 293 | Alkaline phosphatase and zymography evaluation | Size-dependent cytotoxicity, 100 nm critical size | [99] |
Au | 20, 200 | DU-145 | MTS assays | Both sizes cytotoxic | [100] |
SiO2 | 50, 200 | GT1-7 | Counting cells, intracellular calcium homeostasis | 200Â nm: no toxic effects, 50Â nm: toxicity with Ca level increase | [91] |