Three-dimensional hydrogel constructs for exposing cells to nanoparticles. Issue 4 (June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mansfield, Elisabeth; Oreskovic, Tammy L.; Rentz, Nikki S.; Jeerage, Kavita M.
• Is Part Of: Nanotoxicology. Volume 8:Issue 4(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 394
• Page End: 403
• Publication Date: 2014-06
• Subjects: Toxicology -- Periodicals; 615.9
• DOI: 10.3109/17435390.2013.790998
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-5390

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p>In evaluating nanoparticle risks to human health, there is often a disconnect between results obtained from <italic>in vitro</italic> toxicology studies and those from <italic>in vivo</italic> activity, prompting the need for improved methods to rapidly assess the hazards of engineered nanomaterials. <italic>In vitro</italic> studies of nanoparticle toxicology often rely on high doses and short exposure periods due to the difficulty of maintaining monolayer cell cultures over extended time periods as well as the difficulty of maintaining nanoparticle dispersions within the culture environment. In this work, tissue-engineered constructs are investigated as a platform for providing doses of nanoparticles over different exposure periods to cells within a three-dimensional environment that can be tuned to mimic <italic>in vivo</italic> conditions. Uptake of quantum dots (QDs) by model neural cells was first investigated in a high-dose exposure scenario, resulting in a strong concentration-dependent uptake of carboxyl-functionalised QDs. Poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel scaffolds with varying mesh sizes were then investigated for their ability to support cell survival and proliferation. Cells were co-encapsulated with carboxyl-functionalised poly(ethylene glycol)-coated QDs at a lower dose than is typical for monolayer cultures. Although the QDs leach from the hydrogel within 24 h, they are also incorporated by cells within the scaffold, enabling the use of these constructs in future studies of cell behaviour and function.</p> </abstract>