Cytotoxicity Tests on Cultured Rat Skin Fibroblasts Revealed no Toxicity for Low Concentrations of GdYVO4:Eu3+ Nanoparticles

Abstract

Aim. To assess the viability and functional activity of cultured rat skin fibroblasts directly exposed to various concentrations of GdYVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticles.Materials and methods. Cultured rat dermal fibroblasts (n=8) were incubated with GdYVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticles at different concentrations (0 - 320 μg/ml) for 24 h. The cytotoxicity was evaluated in a complex manner. In particular, the MTT assay was used to assess cellular metabolic activity. The viability of cells was quantitatively estimated using the neutral red uptake assay. To evaluate the effects of nanoparticles on the mobility of dermal fibroblasts, the scratch assay was used. Results. Our experimental data demonstrated that the GdYVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticles had no effect on fibroblast viability at any concentration used, evidenced by the results of neutral red uptake assay. However, incubation of cultured fibroblasts starting from the concentration of 80 μg/ml and above increased the metabolic activity of cells, based on the outcome of MTT assay, and promoted the loss of adhesion. Similarly, scratch assay revealed the reduction of fibroblast migration capacity in cells exposed to 80 μg/ml and higher concentrations of nanoparticles. Conclusions. Low concentrations of GdYVO4:Eu3+ (below 40 μg/ml) show no cytotoxic properties towards fibroblasts, while their higher concentrations affect the metabolic activity and functional properties of cells.