Black Phosphorus Cytotoxicity Assessments Pitfalls: Advantages and Disadvantages of Metabolic and Morphological Assays. Issue 1 (13th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fojtů, Michaela; Balvan, Jan; Raudenská, Martina; Vičar, Tomáš; Bouša, Daniel; Sofer, Zdeněk; Masařík, Michal; Pumera, Martin
• Is Part Of: Chemistry. Volume 25:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 349
• Page End: 360
• Publication Date: 2018-12-13
• Subjects: 2D nanomaterials -- black phosphorus -- cytotoxicity -- holographic microscopy -- interference -- nanoparticles -- viability; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201804434
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0947-6539

Abstract

Abstract: Black phosphorus (BP) belongs to a group of 2D nanomaterials and nowadays attracts constantly increasing attention. Parallel to the growing utilization of BP nanomaterial increase also the requirements for the thorough comprehension of its potential impact on human and animal health. The aim of this study was to compare and discuss five assays commonly used for the cytotoxicity assessments of nanomaterials with a special focus on BP nanoparticles. A comprehensive survey of factors and pitfalls is provided that should be accounted for when assessing their toxicity and pointed to their inconsistency. BP might introduce various levels of interference during toxicity assessments depending on its concentration applied. More importantly, the BP toxicity evaluation was found to be influenced by the nature of assay chosen. These are based on different principles and do not have to assess all the cellular events equally. A commercial assay based on the measurement of protease activity was identified to be the most suitable for the BP toxicity assessment. Further, the benefit of time‐lapse quantitative phase imaging for nanomaterial toxicity evaluation was highlighted. Unlike the conventional assessments it provides real‐time analysis of the processes accompanying BP administration and enables to understand them deeper and in the context. Abstract : This study represents a comprehensive survey of factors and pitfalls that should be accounted when assessing toxicity of 2D nanomaterials, with a special focus on black phosphorus nanoparticles. For the first time, real‐time quantitative phase imaging of living cells was used for the nanomaterial toxicity evaluation enabling to understand the pitfalls of conventional viability assays in a deeper context.