Biomicrofluidics. 2010 Sep 24;4(3):034111. doi: 10.1063/1.3486610.
In this study, we demonstrate a new perspective on in vitro assessment method for evaluating quantum dot (QD) toxicity by using microfluidics technology. A new biomimetic approach, based on the flow exposure condition, was applied in order to characterize the cytotoxic potential of QD. In addition, the outcomes obtained from the flow exposure condition were compared to those of the static exposure condition. An in vitro cell array system was established that used an integrated multicompartmented microfluidic device to develop a sensitive flow exposure condition. QDs modified with cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide∕trioctylphosphine oxide were used for the cytotoxicity assessment. The results suggested noticeable differences in the number of detached and deformed cells and the viability percentages between two different exposure conditions. The intracellular production of reactive oxygen species and release of cadmium were found to be the possible causes of QD-induced cytotoxicity, irrespective of the types of exposure condition. In contrast to the static exposure, the flow exposure apparently avoided the gravitational settling of particles and probably assisted in the homogeneous distribution of nanoparticles in the culture medium during exposure time. Moreover, the flow exposure condition resembled in vivo physiological conditions very closely, and thus, the flow exposure condition can offer potential advantages for nanotoxicity research.
在这项研究中，我们展示了一种新的视角，即利用微流控技术评估量子点 (QD) 毒性的体外评估方法。应用了一种基于流动暴露条件的新仿生方法来表征 QD 的细胞毒性潜力。此外，还将流动暴露条件下获得的结果与静态暴露条件下的结果进行了比较。建立了一个体外细胞阵列系统，该系统使用集成的多隔室微流控装置来开发一种敏感的流动暴露条件。使用用十六烷基三甲基溴化铵/三辛基氧化膦修饰的 QD 进行细胞毒性评估。结果表明，两种不同暴露条件下，脱落和变形细胞的数量以及细胞活力百分比存在明显差异。无论暴露条件如何，细胞内活性氧的产生和镉的释放被认为是 QD 诱导细胞毒性的可能原因。与静态暴露相比，流动暴露显然避免了颗粒的重力沉降，并且可能有助于在暴露时间内使纳米颗粒在培养基中均匀分布。此外，流动暴露条件非常接近体内生理条件，因此，流动暴露条件可为纳米毒性研究提供潜在优势。
