Effects of industrially produced 2-dimensional molybdenum disulfide materials in primary human basophils

Basophils induce protumorigenic cytokines from A549 lung adenocarcinoma via mechanisms requiring IgE, galectin-3, and IL-3 priming

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is implicated in innate immune cell activation in a host of diseases/conditions. We identified a unique response whereby human basophils secrete interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13 when cocultured with A549 cells-lung adenocarcinoma. While displaying parameters consistent with standard IgE-dependent activation, these Gal-3-dependent responses occurred in the absence of specific IgE/allergens and required cell-to-cell contact. We now hypothesize that this mode of activation also impacts A549 function. Our findings show that cytokines are induced in basophil/A549 cocultures that are not detected when either cell is cultured alone, in particular IL-6. As previously shown for IL-4/IL-13, IL-6 production also required cell-to-cell contact and was dependent on A549-Gal-3, as clones deficient of this lectin induced less cytokine. Using culture-derived basophils (CDBAs), we demonstrate that the IL-6 response and production of another tumorigenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), are induced in CDBA/A549 cocultures but only after passively sensitizing CDBAs with IgE, in a manner similar to IL-4/IL-13. However, IgE-dependent activation of basophils/CDBAs cultured alone failed to induce IL-6/VEGF. Importantly, IL-3-primed basophils, even those fixed with paraformaldehyde, readily induced IL-6/VEGF-A in cocultures, thus verifying that these cytokines are derived from A549. Overall, these results suggest a complex mechanism whereby Gal-3/IgE interactions between IL-3-primed basophils and A549 have the potential to modulate cytokine production by both cells. With Gal-3 implicated not only in many diseases ranging from asthma to cancer, but also in normal physiological conditions, such as wound healing, these findings are predicted to provide insight into the molecular mechanisms by which this lectin (and IgE) functions in these processes.

Safety Assessment of Graphene-Based Materials

Graphene is the first 2D atomic crystal, and its isolation heralded a new era in materials science with the emergence of several other atomically thin materials displaying multifunctional properties. The safety assessment of new materials is often something of an afterthought, but in the case of graphene, the initial isolation and characterization of the material was soon followed by the assessment of its potential impact on living systems. The Graphene Flagship project addressed the health and environmental aspects of graphene and other 2D materials, providing an instructive lesson in interdisciplinarity - from materials science to biology. Here, the outcomes of the toxicological and ecotoxicological studies performed on graphene and its derivatives, and the key lessons learned from this decade-long journey, are highlighted.

Cytotoxicity assessment of exfoliated MoS2 using primary human mast cells and the progenitor cell-derived mast cell line LAD2

Molybdenum disulfide is an emerging 2D material with several potential applications in medicine. Therefore, it is crucial to ascertain its biocompatibility. Mast cells are immune cells that are found in many organs and tissues in contact with the extracellular environment, and can be cultured from progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Given the long period required for differentiation and proliferation of primary mast cells, human mast cell lines have emerged as a tractable model for biological and toxicological studies. Here, we compare two types of industrial MoS2 using CD34+-derived primary human mast cells and the LAD2 cell line. Minimal effects were observed on early-stage activation endpoints such as β-hexosaminidase release and expression of surface markers of mast cell activation. Transmission electron microscopy revealed limited uptake of the tested materials. Overall, MoS2 was found to be biocompatible, and the LAD2 cell line was validated as a useful in vitro model of mast cells.

MoS2 2D materials induce spinal cord neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity affecting locomotor performance in zebrafish

MoS2 nanosheets belong to an emerging family of nanomaterials named bidimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDCs). The use of such promising materials, featuring outstanding chemical and physical properties, is expected to increase in several fields of science and technology, with an enhanced risk of environmental dispersion and associated wildlife and human exposures. In this framework, the assessment of MoS2 nanosheets toxicity is instrumental to safe industrial developments. Currently, the impact of the nanomaterial on the nervous tissue is unexplored. In this work, we use as in vivo experimental model the early-stage zebrafish, to investigate whether mechano-chemically exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets reach and affect, when added in the behavioral ambient, the nervous system. By high throughput screening of zebrafish larvae locomotor behavioral changes upon exposure to MoS2 nanosheets and whole organism live imaging of spinal neuronal and glial cell calcium activity, we report that sub-acute and prolonged ambient exposures to MoS2 nanosheets elicit locomotor abnormalities, dependent on dose and observation time. While 25 μg mL-1 concentration treatments exerted transient effects, 50 μg mL-1 ones induced long-lasting changes, correlated to neuroinflammation-driven alterations in the spinal cord, such as astrogliosis, glial intracellular calcium dysregulation, neuronal hyperactivity and motor axons retraction. By combining integrated technological approaches to zebrafish, we described that MoS2 2D nanomaterials can reach, upon water (i.e. ambient) exposure, the nervous system of larvae, resulting in a direct neurological damage.

Biological effects of molybdenum(IV) sulfide nanoparticles and microparticles in the rat after repeated intratracheal administration

In this study, molybdenum(IV) sulfide (MoS2 ) nanoparticles (97 ± 32 nm) and microparticles (1.92 ± 0.64 μm) stabilized with poly (vinylpolypyrrolidone) (PVP) were administered intratracheally to male and female rats (dose of 1.5 or 5 mg/kg bw), every 14 days for 90 days (seven administrations in total). Blood parameters were assessed during and at the end of the study (hematology, biochemistry including glucose, albumins, uric acid, urea, high density lipoprotein HDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase ALT). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analyses included cell viability, biochemistry (total protein concentration, lactate dehydrogenase, and glutathione peroxidase activity), and cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor α, TNF-α, macrophage inflammatory protein 2-alpha, MIP-2, and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-2, CINC-2). Tissues were subjected to routine histopathological and electron microscopy (STEM) examinations. No overt signs of chronic toxicity were observed. Differential cell counts in BALF revealed no significant differences between the animal groups. An increase in MIP-2 and a decrease in TNF-α were observed in BALF in the exposed males. The histopathological changes in the lung evaluated according to a developed classification system (based on severity of inflammation, range 0-4, with 4 indicating the most severe changes) showed average histopathological score of 1.33 for animals exposed to nanoparticles and microparticles at the lower dose, 1.72 after exposure to nanoparticles at the higher dose, and 2.83 for animals exposed to microparticles at the higher dose. In summary, it was shown that nanosized and microsized MoS2 can trigger dose-dependent inflammatory reactions in the lungs of rats after multiple intratracheal instillation irrespective of the animal sex. Some evidence indicates a higher lung pro-inflammatory potential of the microform.

Environmental and Health Impacts of Graphene and Other Two-Dimensional Materials: A Graphene Flagship Perspective

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted tremendous interest ever since the isolation of atomically thin sheets of graphene in 2004 due to the specific and versatile properties of these materials. However, the increasing production and use of 2D materials necessitate a thorough evaluation of the potential impact on human health and the environment. Furthermore, harmonized test protocols are needed with which to assess the safety of 2D materials. The Graphene Flagship project (2013-2023), funded by the European Commission, addressed the identification of the possible hazard of graphene-based materials as well as emerging 2D materials including transition metal dichalcogenides, hexagonal boron nitride, and others. Additionally, so-called green chemistry approaches were explored to achieve the goal of a safe and sustainable production and use of this fascinating family of nanomaterials. The present review provides a compact survey of the findings and the lessons learned in the Graphene Flagship.

Surface Modification and Functionalities for Titanium Dental Implants

Dental implants have become the mainstream strategy for oral restoration, and implant materials are the most important research hot spot in this field. So far, Ti implants dominate all kinds of implants. The surface properties of the Ti implant play decisive roles in osseointegration and antibacterial performance. Surface modifications can significantly change the surface micro/nanotopography and composition of Ti implants, which will effectively improve their hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, osseointegration performance, antibacterial performance, etc. These optimizations will thus improve implant success and service life. In this paper, the latest surface modification techniques of Ti dental implants are systematically and comprehensively reviewed. The various biomedical functionalities of surface modifications are discussed in-depth. Finally, a profound comment on the challenges and opportunities of this frontier is proposed, and the most promising directions for the future were explored.