Assessing nanotoxicity of food-relevant particles: A comparative analysis of cellular responses in cell monolayers versus 3D gut epithelial cultures

Archana Gautam, Hui Kheng Lim, Jasmine Jia En Li, Christopher Owen Hughes, Calvin Wee Sing Yeo, Moumita Rakshit, David Ian Leavesley, Michelle Jing Sin Lim, Joseph Choon Wee Tan, Li Yi Tan, Joanne Sheot Harn Chan, Benjamin Paul Chapman Smith*, Kee Woei Ng*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) are extensively used in the food industry, yet safety concerns remain. The lack of validated methodologies is a bottleneck towards resolving this uncertainty. Hence, the current study aims to compare two cell models by examining the toxicological impacts of two food-relevant NPs (SiO2 and Ag) on intestinal epithelia using monolayer Caco-2 cells and full-thickness 3D tissue models of human small intestines (EpiIntestinal™). Comprehensive characterization and dosimetric analysis of the NPs were performed to determine effective doses and model realistic exposures. Neither genotoxicity nor cytotoxicity were detected in the 3D tissues after NP treatment, while the 2D cultures exhibited cytotoxic response from Ag NP treatment for 24 h at 1 μg/ml. Hyperspectral imaging and transmission electron microscopy confirmed uptake of both NPs by cells in both 2D and 3D culture models. Ag NPs caused an increase in autophagy, whereas SiO2 NPs induced increased cytoplasmic vacuolization. Based on realistic exposure levels studied, the 3D small intestinal tissue model was found to be more resilient to NP treatment compared to 2D cell monolayers. This comparative approach towards toxicological assessment of food relevant NPs could be used as a framework for future analysis of NP behavior and nanotoxicity in the gut.

Original languageEnglish
Article number115055
JournalFood and Chemical Toxicology
Volume193
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2024
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Elsevier Ltd

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Food Science
  • Toxicology

Keywords

  • 3D models
  • Genotoxicity
  • Intestine
  • Nanoparticles
  • Nanotoxicology

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