Preliminary investigation on cytotoxicity of fluorinated polymer nanoparticles.

Xue Wang, Wenge Cheng, Qiuyuan Yang, Hongyun Niu, Qian Liu, Yun Liu, Ming Gao, Ming Xu, An Xu, Sijin Liu, Xiaoyu Huang, Yuguo Du

Journal: Journal of environmental sciences (China) 2018;69():217-226

PMID: 29941257

Abstract

As well-known persistent organic pollutants (POPs), organofluorine pollutants such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been proven to be bioaccumulated and harmful to health. However, toxicological assessment of organofluorinated nanoparticles, which have emerged as a novel tool for biomedical and industrial applications, is lacking, to the best of our knowledge. To assess the biological effects and health risk of fluorinated nanoparticles, trifluoroethyl aryl ether-based fluorinated poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles (PTFE-PMMA NPs) were synthesized with various fluorine contents (PTFE-PMMA-1 NPs 12.0wt.%, PTFE-PMMA-2 NPs 6.1wt.% and PTFE-PMMA-3 NPs 5.0wt.%), and their cytotoxicity was investigated in this study. The in vitro experimental results indicated that the cytotoxicity of PTFE-PMMA NPs was mild, and was closely related to their fluorine (F) contents and F-containing side chains. Specifically, the cytotoxicity of PTFE-PMMA NPs decreased with increasing F content and F-containing side chains. After exposure to PTFE-PMMA NPs at a sublethal dose (50μg/mL) for 24hr, the phospholipid bilayer was damaged, accompanied by increasing permeability of the cell membrane. Meanwhile, the intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) occurred, resulting in the increase of DNA damage, cell cycle arrest and cell death. Overall, the PTFE-PMMA NPs were found to be relatively safe compared with typical engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), such as silver nanoparticles and graphene oxide, for biomedical and industrial applications.

Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Address: State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; School of Environmental Science and Optoelectronic Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; Key Laboratory of Ion Beam Bioengineering, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Anhui Province, Hefei 230031, China.; School of Physical Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Key Laboratory of Organofluorine Chemistry and Laboratory of Polymer Materials, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.; Key Laboratory of Ion Beam Bioengineering, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Anhui Province, Hefei 230031, China.; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China. Electronic address: [email protected].; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.; Key Laboratory of Organofluorine Chemistry and Laboratory of Polymer Materials, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

Link outs

Free resources

Subscription / membership required

Bant logo

© Copyright 2026, Nutrition Evidence

NED wishes to thank the following organisations for their support:

We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze site traffic with Google Analytics. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more.