Assessment of an in vitro model of pulmonary barrier to study the translocation of nanoparticles

Publication date: 2014 Source:Toxicology Reports, Volume 1 Author(s): Samir Dekali , Christelle Gamez , Thierry Kortulewski , Kelly Blazy , Patrice Rat , Ghislaine Lacroix As the lung is one of the main routes of exposure to manufactured nanoparticles, we developed an in vitro model resembling the alveolo-capillary barrier for the study of nanoparticle translocation. In order to provide a relevant and ethical in vitro model, cost effective and easy-to-implement human cell lines were used. Pulmonary epithelial cells (Calu-3 cell line) and macrophages (THP-1 differentiated cells) were cultivated on the apical side and pulmonary endothelial cells (HPMEC-ST1.6R cell line) on the basal side of a microporous polyester membrane (Transwell®). Translocation of non-functionalized (51 and 110nm) and aminated (52nm) fluorescent polystyrene (PS) nanobeads was studied in this system. The use of Calu-3 cells allowed high transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) values (>1000Ωcm2) in co-cultures with or without macrophages. After 24h of exposure to non-cytotoxic concentrations of non-functionalized PS nanobeads, the relative TEER values (%/t 0) were significantly decreased in co-cultures. Epithelial cells and macrophages were able to internalize PS nanobeads. Regarding translocation, Transwell® membranes per se limit the passage of nanoparticles between apical and basal side. However, small non-functionalized PS nanobeads (51nm) were able to translocate as they were d...
Source: Toxicology Reports - Category: Toxicology Source Type: research