Oxide Nanoparticle Uptake in Human Lung Fibroblasts:  Effects of Particle Size, Agglomeration, and Diffusion at Low Concentrations

Quantitative studies on the uptake of nanoparticles into biological systems should consider simultaneous agglomeration, sedimentation, and diffusion at physiologically relevant concentrations to assess the corresponding risks of nanomaterials to human health. In this paper, the transport and uptake of industrially important cerium oxide nanoparticles, into human lung fibroblasts is measured in vitro after exposing thoroughly characterized particle suspensions to a fibroblast cell culture for particles of four separate size fractions and concentrations ranging from 100 ng g(-1) to 100 microg g(-1) of fluid (100 ppb to 100 ppm). The unexpected findings at such low but physiologically relevant concentrations…

• ET
  Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich