Premium
Differences in the Toxicological Potential of 2D versus Aggregated Molybdenum Disulfide in the Lung
Author(s) -
Wang Xiang,
Mansukhani Nikhita D.,
Guiney Linda M.,
Ji Zhaoxia,
Chang Chong Hyun,
Wang Meiying,
Liao YuPei,
Song TzeBin,
Sun Bingbing,
Li Ruibin,
Xia Tian,
Hersam Mark C.,
Nel André E.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201500906
Subject(s) - molybdenum disulfide , exfoliation joint , toxicity , cytotoxicity , materials science , proinflammatory cytokine , in vitro , chemistry , nanotechnology , inflammation , biochemistry , medicine , metallurgy , immunology , graphene , organic chemistry
2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) has distinct optical and electronic properties compared to aggregated MoS 2 , enabling wide use of these materials for electronic and biomedical applications. However, the hazard potential of MoS 2 has not been studied extensively. Here, a comprehensive analysis of the pulmonary hazard potential of three aqueous suspended forms of MoS 2 —aggregated MoS 2 (Agg‐MoS 2 ), MoS 2 exfoliated by lithiation (Lit‐MoS 2 ), and MoS 2 dispersed by Pluronic F87 (PF87‐MoS 2 )—is presented. No cytotoxicity is detected in THP‐1 and BEAS‐2B cell lines. However, Agg‐MoS 2 induces strong proinflammatory and profibrogenic responses in vitro. In contrast, Lit‐ and PF87‐MoS 2 have little or no effect. In an acute toxicity study in mice, Agg‐MoS 2 induces acute lung inflammation, while Lit‐MoS 2 and PF87‐MoS 2 have little or no effect. In a subchronic study, there is no evidence of pulmonary fibrosis in response to all forms of MoS 2 . These data suggest that exfoliation attenuates the toxicity of Agg‐MoS 2 , which is an important consideration toward the safety evaluation and use of nanoscale MoS 2 materials for industrial and biological applications.