RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The toxic effects of cubic and spherical silver nanoparticles to human lung A549 cells JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P1097 VO 44 IS Suppl 58 A1 Yuduo Zheng A1 Teodora Miclaus A1 Jakob Bønløkke A1 Torben Sigsgaard A1 Christiane Beer YR 2014 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P1097.abstract AB Background:Because of the extensive use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and the potential exposure of consumers and workers through inhalation, we studied the toxic effects of AgNPs to human lung A549 cells with a special focus on the effects of particle shapes.Methods:Polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated cubic AgNPs (CAgNPs) and spherical AgNPs (SAgNPs) were synthesized, purified and characterized. A549 cells were exposed to either of those AgNPs for 24h. The effects on cell viability (MTT assay), reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation (DCF assay), cytokine secretion (IL-1 beta, IL-8, IL-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), ELISA) and gene expression (affymetrix microarray) were investigated.Results:Both CAgNPs and SAgNPs reduced the cell viability and increased ROS formation and IL-8 secretion. Microarray studies showed that HMOX1 gene, involved in oxidative stress response, and metallothioneins, involved in cellular stress response and metal binding were up-regulated. IL-1 beta and TSLP concentrations were below the detection limit.Conclusion:Consistent with previous studies, AgNPs are toxic to A549 cells. Our results suggest that SAgNPs might be slightly more toxic to A549 cells than CAgNPs. Further investigations are needed to confirm this finding.