Toxicology assessment of manganese oxide nanomaterials with enhanced electrochemical properties using human in vitro models representing different exposure routes

Abstract

In the present study, a comparative human toxicity assessment between newly developed Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles with enhanced electrochemical properties (GNA35) and their precursor material (Mn₃O₄) was performed, employing different in vitro cellular models representing main exposure routes (inhalation, intestinal and dermal contact), namely the human alveolar carcinoma epithelial cell line (A549), the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (HT29), and the reconstructed 3D human epidermal model EpiDerm. The obtained results showed that Mn₃O₄ and GNA35 harbour similar morphological characteristics, whereas differences were observed in relation to their surface area and electrochemical properties. In regard to their toxicological properties, both nanomaterials induced ROS in the A549 and HT29 cell lines, while cell viability reduction was only observed in the A549 cells. Concerning their skin irritation potential, the studied nanomaterials did not cause a reduction of the skin tissue viability in the test conditions nor interleukin 1 alpha (IL- 1 α) release. Therefore, they can be considered as not irritant nanomaterials according to EU and Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling Chemicals. Our findings provide new insights about the potential harmful effects of Mn₃O₄ nanomaterials with different properties, demonstrating that the hazard assessment using different human in vitro models is a critical aspect to increase the knowledge on their potential impact upon different exposure routes.