Glutathione reduces cytotoxicity of polyethyleneimine coated magnetic nanoparticles in CHO cells

Toxicol In Vitro. 2017 Jun:41:12-20. doi: 10.1016/j.tiv.2017.02.007. Epub 2017 Feb 16.

Abstract

Polyethyleneimine (PEI) is a polycationic compound frequently used as a transfection agent. However, cytotoxicity of PEI and PEI-coated nanoparticles (PEI NPs) is still a major obstacle in its use. In this study we report a method for reducing cytotoxicity of PEI NPs by addition of glutathione in NPs synthesis. Glutathione reduced cytotoxic effects for at least 30% and decreased observed oxidative stress response compared to standard formulation. Results showed that the effect was partially due to reduced zeta potential and partially due to protective antioxidant properties of glutathione. Addition of glutathione to cell culture media with concurrent exposure to PEI NPs proved to be insufficient for cytotoxicity reduction. Additionally, we compared internalization pathways of both PEI NPs and GSH NPs. NPs were only found in endosomes and no NPs were found free in the cytosol, as would be expected according to so called proton sponge hypothesis.

Keywords: Cytotoxicity; Glutathione; Magnetic nanoparticles; Polyethyleneimine.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell Survival / drug effects*
  • Cobalt / toxicity*
  • Cricetulus
  • Ferric Compounds / toxicity*
  • Glutathione / metabolism*
  • Magnetic Phenomena
  • Metal Nanoparticles / toxicity*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Polyethyleneimine / toxicity*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • cobalt ferrite
  • Cobalt
  • Polyethyleneimine
  • Glutathione