Nanomaterials with optical properties such as Quantum Dots (QDs) have possible uses in diagnostics, photodynamic therapy or drug delivery. Living organisms can be in contact and absorb this nanomaterial which can participate in oxidation/reduction reactions inducing oxidative cell stress. Lipids, located on the plasmatic membrane, can suffer peroxidation that induces cellular apoptosis and death of living systems. A critical point to understand is how QDs enter cells and how they interact with the biological chemistry of cells. Small crystals should produce more reactive oxygen species (H2O2) due to more surface area by mass. Liver human cells from hepatocellular carcinoma (HEP-G2) were cultivated in Eagle’s Minimum Essential Medium (EMEM) at 37°C and 5% CO2. HEP-G2 cells were exposed to CdSTe QDs (96-well plate) with concentrations between 0 and 50 ug/ml and incubated for 24-48 hours. The number of viable cells was determined by the quantification of ATP production as indicator of metabolically active cells. Fluorescence of the QDs in the EMEM was monitored during the exposition time to corroborate integration of the QDs. Incorporation of QDs inside HEP-G2 was observed by fluorescence microscopy (changes in cell shape was also monitored). The viability and oxidative stress response of HEP-G2 were dependent on the concentration and crystal size of the QDs.

Exposure of hepatocellular carcinoma (HEP-G2) to CdSTe quantum dots

2019 Spring National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.