Elucidating the mechanism of the surface functionalization dependent neurotoxicity of graphene family nanomaterials. Issue 36 (11th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Zhiling; Zhang, Peng; Chetwynd, Andrew J.; Xie, Heidi Qunhui; Valsami-Jones, Eugenia; Zhao, Bin; Lynch, Iseult
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 12:Issue 36(2020)
• Page Start: 18600
• Page End: 18605
• Publication Date: 2020-09-11
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/d0nr04179c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : Differentially functionalized graphene caused different neurotoxicities. G-COOH, G-OH, and RGO induced more severe acute toxicity than G-NH2, while G-NH2 caused more persistent toxicity and more disturbance of the cellular metabolism. Abstract : Graphene family nanomaterials (GFNs) have shown great potential for biological and environmental applications; however, their future use has been debated due to their reported potential neurotoxicity. Moreover, the effects of surface functionalization on their biological end points are largely unknown. Here, we compared the effects of reduced graphene oxide (RGO), and carboxylated (G-COOH), hydroxylated (G-OH) and aminated (G-NH2 ) graphene nanosheets on human neuroblastoma cells (SK-N-SH). All GFNs inhibited cellular growth at concentrations of 0.1–10 mg L −1 after 24 h exposure. The toxicity was attenuated over longer exposure times, with the exception of G-NH2 . Although the overall acute toxicity followed the order: G-OH ≈ G-COOH > RGO > G-NH2, G-NH2 induced more persistent toxicity and more metabolic disturbance compared to the other GFNs, with lipid and carbohydrate metabolism being the most affected. The potential for physical disruption of the lipid membrane and oxidative damage induced by GFNs varied with different functionalization, which accounts for the observed differences in neurotoxicity. This study provides significant insights into the neurological effects of GFNs, and suggests that G-NH2 is not as safe as reported in many previous studies. The neurological effect of GFNs over longer term exposure should be considered in future studies.