Carcinogenesis, Teratogenesis & Mutagenesis ›› 2016, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (1): 19-22.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-616x.2016.01.004

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Effects of InP/ZnS quantum dots on function of mouse macrophage cells

ZHENG Zhijia1,2, TIAN Jinglin1,2, MEI Shujiang3, LIN Guimiao2, WANG Xiaomei2, ZHU Xuedan2, TANG Jie4, ZHANG Ke4, CHEN Xianxiong2   

  1. 1. College of Life and Marine Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060;
    2. The Institute of Urinary and Reproductive, the Engineering Lab of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Key Lab of Translational Medicine of Tumor, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060;
    3. Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055;
    4. The People's Hospital of Luohu District, Shenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China
  • Received:2015-09-15 Revised:2015-11-26 Online:2016-01-31 Published:2016-01-31

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of InP/ZnS quantum dots (InP/ZnS QDs) on function of macrophages using in vitro cell model. METHODS: The mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells were exposed to different concentrations of InP/ZnS QDs. The uptake of InP/ZnS QDs by macrophages was observed under a fluorescence microscope 4 hours later. Effect of InP/ZnS QDs on cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 assay,and the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) released by macrophages were determined by ELISA assay. RESULTS: InP/ZnS QDs entered the cells and remained mostly in the cytoplasm in 4 hours. Cells exposed to InP/ZnS QDs showed significantly decreased cell reproduction 24 hours and 48 hours later(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the levels of TNF-α released with or without CpG-ODN stimulationby macrophages significantly increased 24 hours later(P<0.01),but the levels of IL-6 remained unchanged. In addition,InP/ZnS QDs exposure led to increased release of TNF-α by macrophages following re-stimulation with CpG-ODN. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that InP/ZnS QDs could be taken up by macrophages,and could inhibit the cell viability and increase release of TNF-α.

Key words: InP/ZnS, quantum dots, macrophages, cytotoxicity, cytokine

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