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In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Silver Nanomaterials in Murine Macrophages
Citation:
El Badawy, A., T. M. TOLAYMAT, T. D. GREEN, AND D. J. THOMAS. In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Silver Nanomaterials in Murine Macrophages. Presented at Society of Toxicology (SOT) Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, March 11 - 15, 2012.
Impact/Purpose:
This abstract describes the effect of ionic silver and a silver nanoparticle on the viability of a murine macrophage cell line. Similarities in potency of ionic silver and nanosilver as a cytotoxicant in this cell line suggests similarities in the kinetic behavior ofthe element in these cells
Description:
Silver nanomaterials are increasingly used as antimicrobial agents in a variety of products. Although there is considerable potential for human exposure to these nanomaterials, little is known about the health risks associated with their use. Macrophages are prominent immune cells that clear pathoqens; cellular debris, and foreign particles during inflammatory responses. As phagocytes, macrophages might readily ingest silver nanoparticles. The cytotoxic effects of short-term exposure to ionic silver (silver nitrate) was compared to PVP-coated silver nanoparticles (median hydrodynamic diameter =13 nrn) using an in vitro cytotoxicity assay that measured reduction of 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) in murine macrophage J774A.1 cell line. Cells were exposed to ionic silver or PVP-coated silver nanoparticles for up to 24 hours before assessment of cellular status. Both ionic silver and PVP-coated silver nanoparticles diminished MTT reduction capacity of J774A.1 cells with 50% reductions in activity seen in the low parts per million of silver concentration range. Given that cytotoxic responses were similar after exposure to ionic silver and nanosilver, it is likely that the kinetics of silver uptake and accumulation were similar in both exposure scenarios. However, characterization of the kinetic behavior of silver in macrophages exposed to ionic silver or silver nanoparticles is still needed to elucidate the dose-response relationships for these two forms of silver as cytotoxicants. (This abstract does not reflect the policies of the U.S. E.P.A.).