Evaluating the cytotoxicity of tin dioxide nanofibers

Tin dioxide nanofibers (SnDNFs) are small fibers that have many applications. Tin dioxide nanofibers can be used in cosmetics, solar cells, toxic gas release sensors, and air pollution control. To date there have been few studies on the cytotoxicity of SnDNFs. The goal of this research is to determine if electrospun SnDNFs are toxic in a lung cancer cell line (A549). Considering the nano-scale size of the fibers, they can easily be inhaled and enter the pulmonary system and cause toxic effects in the lung. Occupational exposure to SnDNFs has been linked to pulmonary disease, making the A549 cell line important in this study. Nanofiber toxicity can vary based upon the characteristics of the fibers. Smaller nanofibers have been shown to have more toxic effects than their larger counterparts. The synthesized SnDNFs were characterized using SEM, Raman spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffractometer (PXRD). SEM images showed the fibers to be 200–300 nm in diameter. Raman spectroscopy and PXRD indicated that the fibers were in the rutile phase. After quantifying the SnDNFs, the fibers were introduced to A549 cells at concentrations ranging from 0.02–500 µg mL⁻¹ and incubated at 37°C. These cells were quantified with the MTT assay to measure cell proliferation (IC₅₀ = 0.02 mg mL⁻¹), while lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage was used to determine cytotoxicity, and apoptosis assays to assess the mechanism of cell death. Increasing concentration of SnDNF generated a consequential decrease in cell proliferation and viability. The percent cytotoxicity of SnDNF was not significantly changed at the various concentrations and time frames. In order to gain additional insight about the mechanism of cytotoxicity of SnDNFs, genes with links to inflammation and apoptosis were evaluated and found to be over-expressed in treated cells. At the concentrations of SnDNF examined, SnDNF was mildly toxic to the A549 cells.