Influence of nanomechanical stress induced by ZnO nanoparticles of different shapes on the viability of cells. Issue 18 (14th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Matuła, Kinga; Richter, Łukasz; Adamkiewicz, Witold; Åkerström, Bo; Paczesny, Jan; Hołyst, Robert
• Is Part Of: Soft matter. Volume 12:Issue 18(2016)
• Page Start: 4162
• Page End: 4169
• Publication Date: 2016-04-14
• Subjects: Soft condensed matter -- Periodicals; 530.413
• DOI: 10.1039/c6sm00336b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-683X

Abstract

Abstract : Sharp nanoparticles have greater potential to cause mechanical damage in dynamic conditions comparing to more rounded structures. Abstract : There is growing interest in nanostructures interacting with living organisms. However, there are still no general rules for the design of biocompatible nanodevices. Here, we present a step towards understanding the interactions between nanostructures and living cells. We study the influence of nanomechanical stress induced by zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures of different shapes on the viability of both prokaryotic (Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes, and Gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus epidermidis and Corynebacterium glutamicum ) and eukaryotic cells (yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and liver cancer cell line HepG2 ). Nanoparticles (NPs) and nanorods (NRs) of matching crystallographic structure ( P 63 mc ) and active surface area (in the order of 5 × 10 −2 μm 2 ) are almost non-toxic for cells under static conditions. However, under conditions that enable collisions between ZnO nanostructures and cells, NRs appear to be more damaging compared to NPs. This is due to the increased probability of mechanical damage caused by nanorods upon puncturing of the cell wall and membranes. Gram-positive bacteria, which have thicker cell walls, are more resistant to nanomechanical stress induced by NRs compared to Gram-negative strains and eukaryotic cells. The presented results may be exploited to improve the properties of nanotechnology based products such as implants, drug delivery systems, antibacterial emulsions and cosmetics.