Dependence of Quantum Dot Toxicity In Vitro on Their Size, Chemical Composition, and Surface Charge

Alyona Sukhanova (1) , Svetlana Bozrova (2) , Evgeniia Gerasimovich (1) , Maria Baryshnikova (3) , Zinaida Sokolova (3) , Pavel Samokhvalov (2) , Chris Guhrenz (4) , Nikolai Gaponik (4) , Alexander Karaulov (5) , Igor Nabiev (1)

1 LRN - Laboratoire de Recherche en Nanosciences - EA 4682
2 The National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute) [Moscow, Russia]
3 N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology
4 TU Dresden - Technische Universität Dresden = Dresden University of Technology
5 Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University

Semiconductor nanocrystals known as quantum dots (QDs) are of great interest for researchers and have potential use in various applications in biomedicine, such as in vitro diagnostics, molecular tracking, in vivo imaging, and drug delivery. Systematic analysis of potential hazardous effects of QDs is necessary to ensure their safe use. In this study, we obtained water-soluble core/shell QDs differing in size, surface charge, and chemical composition of the core. All the synthesized QDs were modified with polyethylene glycol derivatives to obtain outer organic shells protecting them from degradation. The physical and chemical parameters were fully characterized. In vitro cytotoxicity of the QDs was estimated in both normal and tumor cell lines. We demonstrated that QDs with the smallest size had the highest in vitro cytotoxicity. The most toxic QDs were characterized by a low negative surface charge, while positively charged QDs were less cytotoxic, and QDs with a greater negative charge were the least toxic. In contrast, the chemical composition of the QD core did not noticeably affect the cytotoxicity in vitro. This study provides a better understanding of the influence of the QD parameters on their cytotoxicity and can be used to improve the design of QDs.

Mots clés: quantum dots; semiconductor nanocrystals; cytotoxicity; nanotoxicity; nanomaterial biological interactions

Domaines: Matériaux; Toxicologie

Alyona Sukhanova, Svetlana Bozrova, Evgeniia Gerasimovich, Maria Baryshnikova, Zinaida Sokolova, et al.. Dependence of Quantum Dot Toxicity In Vitro on Their Size, Chemical Composition, and Surface Charge. Nanomaterials, 2022, 12 (16), pp.2734. ⟨10.3390/nano12162734⟩. ⟨hal-03719471v2⟩