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Korotkov SM. Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress Is the General Reason for Apoptosis Induced by Different-Valence Heavy Metals in Cells and Mitochondria. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14459. [PMID: 37833908 PMCID: PMC10572412 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This review analyzes the causes and consequences of apoptosis resulting from oxidative stress that occurs in mitochondria and cells exposed to the toxic effects of different-valence heavy metals (Ag+, Tl+, Hg2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Al3+, Ga3+, In3+, As3+, Sb3+, Cr6+, and U6+). The problems of the relationship between the integration of these toxic metals into molecular mechanisms with the subsequent development of pathophysiological processes and the appearance of diseases caused by the accumulation of these metals in the body are also addressed in this review. Such apoptosis is characterized by a reduction in cell viability, the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9, the expression of pro-apoptotic genes (Bax and Bcl-2), and the activation of protein kinases (ERK, JNK, p53, and p38) by mitogens. Moreover, the oxidative stress manifests as the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening, mitochondrial swelling, an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and H2O2, lipid peroxidation, cytochrome c release, a decline in the inner mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨmito), a decrease in ATP synthesis, and reduced glutathione and oxygen consumption as well as cytoplasm and matrix calcium overload due to Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The apoptosis and respiratory dysfunction induced by these metals are discussed regarding their interaction with cellular and mitochondrial thiol groups and Fe2+ metabolism disturbance. Similarities and differences in the toxic effects of Tl+ from those of other heavy metals under review are discussed. Similarities may be due to the increase in the cytoplasmic calcium concentration induced by Tl+ and these metals. One difference discussed is the failure to decrease Tl+ toxicity through metallothionein-dependent mechanisms. Another difference could be the decrease in reduced glutathione in the matrix due to the reversible oxidation of Tl+ to Tl3+ near the centers of ROS generation in the respiratory chain. The latter may explain why thallium toxicity to humans turned out to be higher than the toxicity of mercury, lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey M Korotkov
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Thorez pr. 44, 194223 St. Petersburg, Russia
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Guan Y, Liu N, Yu Y, Zhou Q, Chang M, Wang Y, Yao S. Pathological Comparison of Rat Pulmonary Models Induced by Silica Nanoparticles and Indium-Tin Oxide Nanoparticles. Int J Nanomedicine 2022; 17:4277-4292. [PMID: 36134200 PMCID: PMC9484578 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s380259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the histopathological implications of silica nanoparticles (Nano-SiO2) and indium-tin oxide nanoparticles (Nano-ITO), in vivo. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to Nano-SiO2 (50 mg/kg) and Nano-ITO (6 mg/kg) by a single intratracheal instillation, respectively. Broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were obtained at 7, 14, 28, and 56 days post exposure for analysis of BALF inflammatory factors, total protein, and for lung tissue pathology. Histopathological and ultrastructural change in lungs were investigated by hematoxylin and eosin, Masson’s trichrome, sirius red staining, periodic acid Schiff stain, and transmission electron microscopy. The expression of SP-A, collagen type I and III in lung tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Results The rats in both models exhibited obvious collagen fibrosis and the severity of the lung injury increased with time after exposure to respective dosage increased. Several parameters of pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis significantly increased in both groups, which was reflected by increased LDH activity, total proteins, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels in BALF, and confirmed by histopathological examination. The results also showed that the two models exhibited different features. Exposure to Nano-ITO caused persistent chronic lung inflammation, illustrated by the infiltration of a large amount of enlarged and foamy macrophages and neutrophils into the lung parenchyma. In Nano-SiO2 exposed rat lung tissue, granulomatous inflammation was most prominent followed by progressive and massive fibrotic nodules. Compared with the Nano-SiO2 rats, Nano-ITO exposed rats exhibited significantly severe pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) pathological changes, lower fibrosis, and higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers. However, Nano-SiO2 exposed rats had greater fibrosis pathological changes and more severe granulomas than Nano-ITO exposed rats. Conclusion This study suggests that the Nano-SiO2-induced model has greater value in research into granulomas and fibrosis, while the Nano-ITO-induced model has greater repeatability in area of PAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Guan
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Liu
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Yu
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, People's Republic of China.,School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Meiyu Chang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, People's Republic of China.,School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongheng Wang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, People's Republic of China
| | - Sanqiao Yao
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, People's Republic of China.,School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, People's Republic of China
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Qu J, Wang J, Zhang H, Wu J, Ma X, Wang S, Zang Y, Huang Y, Ma Y, Cao Y, Wu D, Zhang T. Toxicokinetics and systematic responses of differently sized indium tin oxide (ITO) particles in mice via oropharyngeal aspiration exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 290:117993. [PMID: 34428702 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Indium tin oxide (ITO) is an important semiconductor material, because of increasing commercial products consumption and potentially exposed workers worldwide. So, urgently we need to assess and manage potential health risks of ITO. Although the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) has been established for ITO exposure, there is still a lack of distinguishing the risks of exposure to particles of different sizes. Therefore, obtaining toxicological data of small-sized particles will help to improve its risk assessment data. Important questions raised in quantitative risk assessments for ITO particles are whether biodistribution of ITO particles is affected by particle size and to what extent systematic adverse responses is subsequently initiated. In order to determine whether this toxicological paradigm for size is relevant in ITO toxic effect, we performed comparative studies on the toxicokinetics and sub-acute toxicity test of ITO in mice. The results indicate both sized-ITO resided in the lung tissue and slowly excreted from the mice, and the smaller size of ITO being cleared more slowly. Only a little ITO was transferred to other organs, especially with higher blood flow. Two type of ITO which deposit in the lung mainly impacts respiratory system and may injure liver or kidney. After sub-acute exposure to ITO, inflammation featured by neutrophils infiltration and fibrosis with both dose and size effects have been observed. Our findings revealed toxicokinetics and dose-dependent pulmonary toxicity in mice via oropharyngeal aspiration exposure, also replenish in vivo risk assessment of ITO. Collectively, these data indicate that under the current OEL, there are potential toxic effects after exposure to the ITO particles. The observed size-dependent biodistribution patterns and toxic effect might be important for approaching the hazard potential of small-sized ITO in an occupational environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Qu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jianli Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Haopeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jingying Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xinmo Ma
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Shile Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yiteng Zang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yuhui Huang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Ying Ma
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yuna Cao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Daming Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Song Q, Liu Y, Zhang L, Xu Z. Facile indium recovery from waste liquid crystal displays: Chloride-facilitated indium electroreduction and stepwise Cu/MoO 2 and indium electrodeposition. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 415:125599. [PMID: 33765563 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
With a huge amount of waste liquid crystal displays (LCDs) generated annually, their proper recycling raises continuous concern to realize pollution control (heavy metal and liquid crystal) and resource recovery (indium). However, due to their multi-metal feature, traditional hydrometallurgy lacks of sufficient selectivity, which makes the recycling route lengthy, costly, and generate more waste. Electrodeposition acts as a promising technique for selective metal extraction from multi-metal system due to its high selectivity and electron as clean reagent. To fully develop its application in metal recovery, stepwise Cu/MoO2 and In electrodeposition from In-Cu-Mo-Fe waste LCD leachate is explored in depth. Electrochemical behavior analysis shows Cu and MoO2 can be first electrodeposited for their higher electroreduction potential. Cl- plays a key role in accelerating indium electroreduction kinetics, which largely shortens the extraction time without the sacrifice of current efficiency. This accelerating effect is attributed to the increased concentration of electroactive species or collision frequency. Under optimized condition, 99.41% of indium (> 99% purity) can be electrodeposited within 13 h with high current efficiency. This study provides a cleaner approach for waste LCDs recycling and gives implications for the potential application of electrochemical technique in e-waste recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingming Song
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingen Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenming Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China.
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6
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Bomhard EM. The toxicology of gallium oxide in comparison with gallium arsenide and indium oxide. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2020; 80:103437. [PMID: 32565349 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Gallium arsenide (GaAs) and indium oxide (In2O3) are used in electronic industries at high and increasing tonnages since decades. Gallium oxide (Ga2O3) is an emerging wide-bandgap transparent conductive oxide with as yet little industrial use. Since GaAs has received critical attention due to the arsenic ion, it seemed reasonable to compare its toxicology with the respective endpoints of Ga2O3 and In2O3 toxicology in order to find out if and to what extent arsenic contributes. In addition, the toxicology of Ga2O3 has not yet been adequately reviewed, Therefore, this review provides the first evaluation of all available toxicity data on Ga2O3. The acute toxicity of all three compounds is rather low. Subchronic inhalation studies in rats and mice revealed persistent pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) and/or alveolar histiocytic infiltrates down to the lowest tested concentration in rats and mice, i.e. 0.16 mg Ga2O3/m3. These are also the predominant effects after GaAs and In2O3 exposure at similarly low levels, i.e. 0.1 mg/m3 each. Subchronic Ga2O3 exposure caused a minimal microcytic anemia with erythrocytosis in rats (at 6.4 mg/m3 and greater) and mice (at 32 and 64 mg/m3), a decrease in epididymal sperm motility and concentration as well as testicular degeneration at 64 mg/m3. At comparable concentrations the hematological effects and male fertility of GaAs were much stronger. The stronger effects of GaAs are due to its better solubility and presumed higher bioavailability. The database for In2O3 is too small and subchronic testing was at very low levels to allow conclusive judgements if blood/blood forming or degrading and male fertility organs/tissues would also be targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernst M Bomhard
- REACh ChemConsult GmbH, Strehlener Str. 14, D-01069 Dresden, Germany.
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Li H, Chen Z, Li J, Liu R, Zhao F, Liu R. Indium oxide nanoparticles induce lung intercellular toxicity between bronchial epithelial cells and macrophages. J Appl Toxicol 2020; 40:1636-1646. [PMID: 32608070 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Concerns have been raised over the safety and health of industrial workers exposed to indium oxide nanoparticles (IO-NPs) when working. IO-NPs were previously shown in vitro and in vivo to be cytotoxic, but the mechanism of pathogenesis was unclear. In this study, the effects of IO-NPs on lung cells associated with respiratory and immune barriers and the toxic effects of intercellular cascades were studied. Here IO-NPs had acute toxicity to Wistar rats over a time course (5 days post-intratracheal instillation). Following treatment epithelial cells (16HBE) or macrophages (RAW264.7) with IO-NPs or IO fine particles (IO-FPs), the damage of 16HBE cells caused by IO-NPs was serious, mainly in the mitochondrial and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The lactate dehydrogenase level also showed that cytotoxicity in vitro was more serious for IO-NPs compared with IO-FPs. The level of In3+ (examined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) in 16HBE cells was 10 times higher than that in RAW cells. In3+ , releasing from IO-NPs absorbed by 16HBE cells, could not only significantly inhibit the phagocytosis and migration of macrophages (P < .0001), but also stimulate RAW cells to secrete high levels of inflammatory cytokines. IO-NPs can directly damage pulmonary epithelial cells. The In3+ released by epithelial cells affect the phagocytosis and migration of macrophages, which may be a new point for the decrease in the clearance of alveolar surfactants and the development of IO-related pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huilin Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhaofang Chen
- Shool of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinxia Li
- CAS Key Lab for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Ru Liu
- CAS Key Lab for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Zhao
- CAS Key Lab for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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Tsai PK, Wu SW, Chiang CY, Lee MW, Chen HY, Chen WY, Chen CJ, Yang SF, Yeh CB, Kuan YH. Evaluation of cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and genotoxicity induced by indium chloride in macrophages through mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species generation. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 193:110348. [PMID: 32114240 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Due to rapid advances in the era of electronic technologies, indium has played the important material for the production of liquid crystal display screens in the semiconductor and optoelectronic industries. The present study focuses on evaluating the toxic effects and related mechanisms of indium chloride (InCl3) on RAW264.7 macrophages. Cytotoxicity was induced by InCl3 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. InCl3 had the ability to induce macrophage death through apoptosis rather than through necrosis. According to the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay and alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis assay, InCl3 induced DNA damage, also called genotoxicity, in a concentration-dependent manner. Cysteine-dependent aspartate-directed protease (caspase)-3, -8, and -9 were activated by InCl3 in a concentration-dependent manner. Mitochondria dysfunction and cytochrome c release from the mitochondria were induced by InCl3 in a concentration-dependent manner. Downregulation of BCL2 and upregulation of BAD were induced by InCl3 in a concentration-dependent manner. More, we proposed that InCl3 treatment generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, the current study revealed that InCl3 induced macrophage cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and genotoxicity via a mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway and ROS generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Kun Tsai
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, Zuoying Branch of Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Wen Wu
- Division of Nephrology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; The School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yu Chiang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Pharmacy, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Min-Wei Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Pharmacy, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; A Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yi Chen
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Ying Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Jung Chen
- Department of Education and Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Bin Yeh
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; The School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Emergency Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsiang Kuan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Pharmacy, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
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Nguyen CH, Zeng C, Boitano S, Field JA, Sierra-Alvarez R. Cytotoxicity Assessment of Gallium- and Indium-Based Nanoparticles Toward Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells Using an Impedance-Based Real-Time Cell Analyzer. Int J Toxicol 2020; 39:218-231. [PMID: 32228215 DOI: 10.1177/1091581820914255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The semiconductor manufacturing sector plans to introduce III/V film structures (eg, gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium arsenide (InAs) onto silicon wafers due to their high electron mobility and low power consumption. Aqueous solutions generated during chemical and mechanical planarization of silicon wafers can contain a mixture of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) and soluble indium, gallium, and arsenic. In this work, the cytotoxicity induced by Ga- and In-based NPs (GaAs, InAs, Ga2O3, In2O3) and soluble III-V salts on human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE14o-) was evaluated using a cell impedance real-time cell analysis (RTCA) system. The RTCA system provided inhibition data at different concentrations for multiple time points, for example, GaAs (25 mg/L) caused 60% inhibition after 8 hours of exposure and 100% growth inhibition after 24 hours. Direct testing of As(III) and As(V) demonstrated significant cytotoxicity with 50% growth inhibition concentrations after 16-hour exposure (IC50) of 2.4 and 4.5 mg/L, respectively. Cell signaling with rapid rise and decrease in signal was unique to arsenic cytotoxicity, a precursor of strong cytotoxicity over the longer term. In contrast with arsenic, soluble gallium(III) and indium(III) were less toxic. Whereas the oxide NPs caused low cytotoxicity, the arsenide compounds were highly inhibitory (IC50 of GaAs and InAs = 6.2 and 68 mg/L, respectively). Dissolution experiments over 7 days revealed that arsenic was fully leached from GaAs NPs, whereas only 10% of the arsenic was leached out of InAs NPs. These results indicate that the cytotoxicity of GaAs and InAs NPs is largely due to the dissolution of toxic arsenic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi H Nguyen
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Chao Zeng
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Scott Boitano
- Department of Physiology and The Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Jim A Field
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Reyes Sierra-Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Blackley BH, Cummings KJ, Stanton M, Stefaniak AB, Gibbs JL, Park JY, Harvey RR, Virji MA. Work Tasks as Determinants of Respirable and Inhalable Indium Exposure among Workers at an Indium-Tin Oxide Production and Reclamation Facility. Ann Work Expo Health 2020; 64:175-184. [PMID: 31803905 PMCID: PMC9969414 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxz091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased global demand for touch screens, photovoltaics, and optoelectronics has resulted in an increase in the production of indium-tin oxide (ITO). Occupational exposure to indium compounds is associated with the development of indium lung disease. Although many previous epidemiologic investigations highlight an excess of lung abnormalities in workplaces where ITO is produced, few assessments of occupational exposure to respirable and inhalable indium are reported to date. The objective of this study was to identify the determinants of respirable and inhalable indium at an ITO production facility to target exposure interventions. In 2012 and 2014, we conducted exposure assessments at an ITO production facility and collected full-shift personal respirable (n = 159) and inhalable (n = 57) indium samples. We also observed workers and recorded information on task duration and location, materials used, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Tasks (n = 121) recorded in task diaries were categorized into 40 similar task groups using the Advanced REACH Tool and process-related information. Mixed-effects models were fit separately for log-transformed respirable and inhalable indium, with random effect of subject and fixed effects of task groups. Overall, respirable and inhalable indium measurements ranged from 0.1 to 796.6 µg m-3 and 1.6 to 10 585.7 µg m-3, respectively, and were highly correlated with Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.90. The final model for respirable indium explained 36.3% of total variance and identified sanding, powder transfer tasks in reclaim, powder transfer tasks in refinery, handling indium materials, and liquid transfer tasks in ITO production as tasks associated with increased respirable indium exposure. The final model for inhalable indium explained 24.6% of total variance and included powder transfer tasks in ITO production, cleaning cylinder or tile, and handling indium material tasks. Tasks identified as strong predictors of full-shift exposure to respirable and inhalable indium can guide the use of engineering, administrative, and PPE controls designed to mitigate occupational exposure to indium. Moreover, since the tasks were aligned with REACH activities, results from this study can also be used to inform REACH activity scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brie Hawley Blackley
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC, 1095 Willowdale Rd, MS 2800, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA,Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1-304-285-5751; fax: +1-304-285-5820;
| | - Kristin J. Cummings
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC, 1095 Willowdale Rd, MS 2800, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Marcia Stanton
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC, 1095 Willowdale Rd, MS 2800, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Aleksandr B. Stefaniak
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC, 1095 Willowdale Rd, MS 2800, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Jenna L. Gibbs
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC, 1095 Willowdale Rd, MS 2800, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA,Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, 105 River Street, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Ji Young Park
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC, 1095 Willowdale Rd, MS 2800, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA,Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - R. Reid Harvey
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC, 1095 Willowdale Rd, MS 2800, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - M. Abbas Virji
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC, 1095 Willowdale Rd, MS 2800, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
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Liu Y, Ji J, Ji L, Li Y, Zhang B, Yang T, Yang J, Lv L, Wu G. Translocation of intranasal (i.n.) instillation of different-sized cerium dioxide (CeO 2) particles: potential adverse effects in mice. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2019; 82:1069-1075. [PMID: 31760910 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2019.1686867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cerium oxide (CeO2), one of many engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), is composed primarily of metal oxides, such as cerium oxide (CeO2). CeO2-containing materials are widely used as a polishing agent for glass mirrors, plate glass, television tubes, ophthalmic lenses, and precision optics. The widespread use of this nanomaterial (NM) resulted in increased environmental contamination levels and consequent human exposure. However, the influence of Ce on humans remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to expose female ICR mice to varying nanoparticle sizes of 35 nm, 300 nm as well as a mixture of 1-5 µM CeO2 particles through intranasal (i.n.) instillation at 40 mg/kg dose on day 1, 3 and 5, and the experiment terminated on day 7. Histopathology findings demonstrated that hydropic degeneration was prominently associated with hemorrhage in renal cortex and medulla in all CeO2-administered groups. In liver of CeO2-exposed mice, hydropic degeneration was also prominent. Serum chemistries also indicated signs of renal and hepatic lesion as evidenced by significantly decreased serum levels of total bilirubin (TBIL) and total phosphate (TP) and activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). ICP-MS analysis group demonstrated that Ce levels were not significantly higher in liver and kidneys of mice exposed to 35 nm CeO2. An increase in Ce content was observed in hepatic and renal tissues of mice exposed to 300 nm or 1-5 µM CeO2. The levels of Ce were similar in these two groups suggesting a threshold level of Ce was attained regardless of NP size. Data thus demonstrated that i.n. instillation of different-sized CeO2 particles translocated to liver and kidney and that size difference of CeO2 particles did not exert significant in the observed histopathology responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Preclinical Medicine and Forensic, Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology, Baotou, PR China
| | - Jun Ji
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Baotou, PR China
| | - Le Ji
- Department of Preclinical Medicine and Forensic, Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology, Baotou, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Department of Preclinical Medicine and Forensic, Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology, Baotou, PR China
| | - Bowen Zhang
- Department of Preclinical Medicine and Forensic, Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology, Baotou, PR China
| | - Tongwang Yang
- Department of Preclinical Medicine and Forensic, Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology, Baotou, PR China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Preclinical Medicine and Forensic, Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology, Baotou, PR China
| | - Liping Lv
- Department of Preclinical Medicine and Forensic, Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology, Baotou, PR China
| | - Gang Wu
- Department of Preclinical Medicine and Forensic, Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology, Baotou, PR China
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12
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Eleftheriadis T, Pissas G, Zarogiannis S, Liakopoulos V, Stefanidis I. Crystalline silica activates the T-cell and the B-cell antigen receptor complexes and induces T-cell and B-cell proliferation. Autoimmunity 2019; 52:136-143. [PMID: 31119949 DOI: 10.1080/08916934.2019.1614171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Silicosis is an occupational fibrotic lung disease, which is associated with an increased incidence of autoimmune diseases. The effect of crystalline silica on the immune system is thought to be mediated by the antigen presenting cells. However, the direct effect of silica on T-cells and B-cells has not been evaluated adequately. For this purpose, CD4(+)T-cells and B-cells from 10 healthy individuals were isolated and cultured with or without Min-U-Sil 5. Cell proliferation was assessed with BrdU assay. In cell proliferation experiments, tacrolimus, an inhibitor of the signal transduction derived from the activation of the T-cell or the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) complex, was also used. The levels of phosphorylated zeta and phosphorylated Igα, indicative of the T-cell and BCR complex activation respectively, and of the transcription factor c-Myc, required for cell proliferation, were assessed by Western blotting. Crystalline silica triggered CD4(+)T-cell and B-cell proliferation, while tacrolimus significantly decreased the silica-induced proliferation in both cell types. Crystalline silica enhanced the level of phosphorylated zeta and phosphorylated Igα in CD4(+)T-cells and B-cells, respectively. In both cell types, treatment with silica increased c-Myc expression. Thus, crystalline silica may induce T-cell and B-cell proliferation by activating T-cell and BCR complexes. It is likely that the direct activation of CD4(+)T-cells and B-cells by silica crystals detected in this study circumvents many self-tolerance check-points and offers a mechanistic explanation for the crystalline silica-induced autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Georgios Pissas
- a Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Thessaly , Larissa , Greece
| | - Sotirios Zarogiannis
- a Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Thessaly , Larissa , Greece
| | - Vassilios Liakopoulos
- a Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Thessaly , Larissa , Greece
| | - Ioannis Stefanidis
- a Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Thessaly , Larissa , Greece
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13
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Brun NR, Fields PD, Horsfield S, Mirbahai L, Ebert D, Colbourne JK, Fent K. Mixtures of Aluminum and Indium Induce More than Additive Phenotypic and Toxicogenomic Responses in Daphnia magna. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:1639-1649. [PMID: 30608651 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b05457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic systems are contaminated by many metals but their effects as mixtures on organisms are not well understood. Here, we assessed effects of aluminum with fairly well-known modes of actions and indium, an understudied emerging contaminant from electronics, followed by studying equi-effective mixtures thereof. We report acute and adverse phenotypic effects in Daphnia magna adults and global transcriptomic effects employing RNA sequencing in neonates. The mixture induced more than additive activity in mortality and in physiological effects, including growth and reproduction. Similarly, transcriptomic effects were more than additive, as indicated by a markedly higher number of 463 differentially expressed transcripts in the mixture and by distinct classes of genes assigned to several biological functions, including metabolic processes, suggesting depleted energy reserves, which may be responsible for the observed impaired reproduction and growth. A gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of a priori known response pathways for aluminum confirmed activation of distinct molecular pathways by indium. Our study is highlighting more than additive effects at the transcriptional and physiological level and is providing a state-of-the art approach to mixture analysis, which is important for risk assessment of these metals and metal mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja R Brun
- School of Life Sciences , University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland , Langackerstrasse 30 , 4132 Muttenz , Switzerland
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics , ETH Zürich , Universitätsstrasse 16 , 8092 Zürich , Switzerland
| | - Peter D Fields
- Zoological Institute , University of Basel , Vesalgasse 1 , 4051 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Samuel Horsfield
- School of Biosciences , University of Birmingham , Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT , United Kingdom
| | - Leda Mirbahai
- School of Biosciences , University of Birmingham , Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT , United Kingdom
| | - Dieter Ebert
- Zoological Institute , University of Basel , Vesalgasse 1 , 4051 Basel , Switzerland
| | - John K Colbourne
- School of Biosciences , University of Birmingham , Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT , United Kingdom
| | - Karl Fent
- School of Life Sciences , University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland , Langackerstrasse 30 , 4132 Muttenz , Switzerland
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics , ETH Zürich , Universitätsstrasse 16 , 8092 Zürich , Switzerland
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14
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Blackley BH, Gibbs JL, Cummings KJ, Stefaniak AB, Park JY, Stanton M, Abbas Virji M. A field evaluation of a single sampler for respirable and inhalable indium and dust measurements at an indium-tin oxide manufacturing facility. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2019; 16:66-77. [PMID: 30325716 PMCID: PMC6419101 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2018.1536826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Indium-tin oxide production has increased greatly in the last 20 years subsequent to increased global demand for touch screens and photovoltaics. Previous studies used measurements of indium in blood as an indicator of indium exposure and observed associations with adverse respiratory outcomes. However, correlations between measurements of blood indium and airborne respirable indium are inconsistent, in part because of the long half-life of indium in blood, but also because respirable indium measurements do not incorporate inhalable indium that can contribute to the observed biological burden. Information is lacking on relationships between respirable and inhalable indium exposure, which have implications for biological indicators like blood indium. The dual IOM sampler includes the foam disc insert and can simultaneously collect respirable and inhalable aerosol. Here, the field performance of the dual IOM sampler was evaluated by comparing performance with the respirable cyclone and traditional IOM for respirable and inhalable indium and dust exposure, respectively. Side-by-side area air samples were collected throughout an indium-tin oxide manufacturing facility. Cascade impactors were used to determine particle size distribution. Several statistical methods were used to evaluate the agreement between the pairs of samplers including calculating the concordance correlation coefficient and its accuracy and precision components. One-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the effect of dust concentration on sampler differences. Respirable indium measurements showed better agreement (concordance correlation coefficient: 0.932) compared to respirable dust measurements (concordance correlation coefficient: 0.777) with significant differences observed in respirable dust measurements. The dual IOM measurements had high agreement with the traditional IOM for inhalable indium (concordance correlation coefficient: 0.997) but lower agreement for inhalable dust (concordance correlation coefficient: 0.886 and accuracy: 0.896) with a significantly large mean bias (-146.9 µg/m3). Dust concentration significantly affected sampler measurements of inhalable dust and inhalable indium. Results from this study suggest that the dual IOM is a useful single sampler for simultaneous measurements of occupational exposure to respirable and inhalable indium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brie Hawley Blackley
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Jenna L. Gibbs
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Kristin J. Cummings
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Aleksandr B. Stefaniak
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Ji Young Park
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia
- Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Marcia Stanton
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - M. Abbas Virji
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia
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15
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Tabei Y, Sugino S, Nakajima Y, Horie M. Reactive oxygen species independent genotoxicity of indium tin oxide nanoparticles triggered by intracellular degradation. Food Chem Toxicol 2018; 118:264-271. [PMID: 29772267 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Indium tin oxide (ITO) is widely used as a transparent conducting electrode in photoelectron devices. Because ITO production has soared, the potential health hazards caused by occupational exposure to this material have attracted much attention. However, little is known about the mechanisms of the toxic action of ITO nanoparticles (NPs). The present study was designed to examine the genotoxic mechanisms of ITO NPs using human lung epithelial A549 cells. We found that exposing A549 cells to ITO NPs triggered the intracellular accumulation of ITO NPs, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the induction of DNA damage. Treatment of the cells with N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), an ROS quenching agent, decreased intracellular ROS levels but not DNA damage, indicating that the genotoxic effect of ITO NPs is not mediated by intracellular ROS. Interestingly, treatment with ammonium chloride, a lysosomotropic agent, decreased intracellular solubility of ITO NPs and attenuated DNA damage. Nuclear accumulation of indium ions in ITO-NP-exposed cells was confirmed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Our results indicate that the ITO-NP-mediated genotoxicity is caused by indium ions that are solubilized in the acidic lysosomal condition and accumulated in the nucleus where they damage DNA, without the involvement of ROS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Tabei
- Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2217-14 Hayashi-cho, Takamatsu, Kagawa 761-0395, Japan.
| | - Sakiko Sugino
- Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2217-14 Hayashi-cho, Takamatsu, Kagawa 761-0395, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Nakajima
- Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2217-14 Hayashi-cho, Takamatsu, Kagawa 761-0395, Japan
| | - Masanori Horie
- Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2217-14 Hayashi-cho, Takamatsu, Kagawa 761-0395, Japan
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16
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Bomhard EM. The toxicology of indium oxide. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2018; 58:250-258. [PMID: 29448164 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Indium oxide (In2O3) is a technologically important semiconductor essentially used, doped with tin oxide, to form indium tin oxide (ITO). It is poorly soluble in all so far tested physiologic media. After repeated inhalation, In2O3 particles accumulate in the lungs. Their mobilization can cause significant systemic exposure over long periods of time. An increasing number of cases of severe lung effects (characterized by pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, emphysema and/or interstitial fibrosis) in workers of the ITO industry warrants a review of the toxicological hazards also of In2O3. The database on acute and chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity/genotoxicity/reproductive toxicity as well skin/eye irritation and sensitization is very limited or even lacking. Short-term and subchronic inhalation studies in rats and mice revealed persistent alveolar proteinosis, inflammation and early indicators of fibrosis in the lungs down to concentrations of 1 mg/m3. Epidemiological and medical surveillance studies, serum/blood indium levels in workers as well as data on the exposure to airborne indium concentrations indicate a need for measures to reduce exposure at In2O3 workplaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernst M Bomhard
- REAChChemConsult GmbH, Strehlener Str. 14, D-01069 Dresden, Germany.
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17
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Ahamed M, Akhtar MJ, Khan MM, Alhadlaq HA, Aldalbahi A. Nanocubes of indium oxide induce cytotoxicity and apoptosis through oxidative stress in human lung epithelial cells. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2017; 156:157-164. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2017.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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18
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Olgun NS, Morris AM, Barber TL, Stefaniak AB, Kashon ML, Schwegler-Berry D, Cummings KJ, Leonard SS. Comparison of the toxicity of sintered and unsintered indium-tin oxide particles in murine macrophage and epidermal cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2017; 331:85-93. [PMID: 28552777 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2017.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Indium-tin oxide (ITO) is used to produce flat panel displays and several other technology products. Composed of 90% indium oxide (In2O3) and 10% tin oxide (SnO2) by weight, ITO is synthesized under conditions of high heat via a process known as sintering. Indium lung disease, a recently recognized occupational illness, is characterized by pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, fibrosis, and emphysema. Murine macrophage (RAW 264.7) and epidermal (JB6) cells stably transfected with AP-1 to study tumor promoting potential, were used to differentiate between the toxicological profiles of sintered ITO (SITO) and unsintered mixture (UITO). We hypothesized that sintering would play a key role in free radical generation and cytotoxicity. Exposure of cells to both UITO and SITO caused a time and dose dependent decrease of the viability of cells. Intracellular ROS generation was inversely related to the dose of both UITO and SITO, a direct reflection of the decreased number of viable RAW 264.7 and JB6/AP-1 cells observed at higher concentrations. Electron spin resonance showed significantly increased hydroxyl radical (OH) generation in cells exposed to UITO compared to SITO. This is different from LDH release, which showed that SITO caused significantly increased damage to the cell membrane compared to UITO. Lastly, the JB6/AP-1 cell line did not show activation of the AP-1 pathway. Our results highlight both the differences in the mechanisms of cytotoxicity and the consistent adverse effects associated with UITO and SITO exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S Olgun
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA.
| | - Anna M Morris
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Tabatha Lynn Barber
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Aleksandr B Stefaniak
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Michael L Kashon
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Diane Schwegler-Berry
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Kristin J Cummings
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Stephen S Leonard
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
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19
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Stefaniak AB, Virji MA, Badding MA, Cummings KJ. Application of the ICRP respiratory tract model to estimate pulmonary retention of industrially sampled indium-containing dusts. Inhal Toxicol 2017; 29:169-178. [PMID: 28595469 PMCID: PMC5746041 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2017.1333548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Inhalation of indium-containing dusts is associated with the development of indium lung disease. Workers may be exposed to several different chemical forms of indium; however, their lung dosimetry is not fully understood. We characterized the physicochemical properties and measured the lung dissolution kinetics of eight indium-containing dusts. Indium dissolution rates in artificial lung fluids spanned two orders of magnitude. We used the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) human respiratory model (HRTM) to estimate pulmonary indium deposition, retention and biokinetic clearance to blood. For a two-year (median workforce tenure at facility) exposure to respirable-sized particles of the indium materials, modeled indium clearance (>99.99% removed) from the alveolar-interstitial compartment was slow for all dusts; salts would clear in 4 years, sintered indium-tin oxide (ITO) would clear in 9 years, and indium oxide would require 48 years. For this scenario, the ICRP HRTM predicted that indium translocated to blood would be present in that compartment for 3.5-18 years after cessation of exposure, depending on the chemical form. For a 40-year exposure (working lifetime), clearance from the alveolar-interstitial compartment would require 5, 10 and 60 years for indium salts, sintered ITO and indium oxide, respectively and indium would be present in blood for 5-53 years after exposure. Consideration of differences in chemical forms of indium, dissolution rates, alveolar clearance and residence time in blood should be included in exposure assessment and epidemiological studies that rely on measures of total indium in air or blood to derive risk estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr B Stefaniak
- a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Morgantown , WV , USA
| | - M Abbas Virji
- a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Morgantown , WV , USA
| | - Melissa A Badding
- a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Morgantown , WV , USA
| | - Kristin J Cummings
- a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Morgantown , WV , USA
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20
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Bomhard EM. The toxicology of indium tin oxide. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2016; 45:282-294. [PMID: 27343753 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2016.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Indium tin oxide (ITO) is a technologically important semiconductor. An increasing number of cases of severe lung effects (characterized by pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and/or interstitial fibrosis) in ITO-exposed workers warrants a review of the toxicological hazards. Short- and long-term inhalation studies in rats and mice revealed persistent alveolar proteinosis, inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs down to concentrations as low as 0.01mg/m(3). In rats, the incidences of bronchiolo-alveolar adenomas and carcinomas were significantly increased at all concentrations. In mice, ITO was not carcinogenic. A few bronchiolo-alveolar adenomas occurring after repeated intratracheal instillation of ITO to hamsters have to be interpreted as treatment-related. In vitro and in vivo studies on the formation of reactive oxygen species suggest epigenetic effects as cause of the lung tumor development. Repeated intratracheal instillation of ITO to hamsters slightly affected the male sexual organs, which might be interpreted as a secondary effect of the lung damage. Epidemiological and medical surveillance studies, serum/blood indium levels in workers as well as data on the exposure to airborne indium concentrations indicate a need for measures to reduce exposure at ITO workplaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernst M Bomhard
- REACh ChemConsult GmbH, Strehlener Str. 14, D-01069 Dresden, Germany.
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21
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Cummings KJ, Virji MA, Park JY, Stanton ML, Edwards NT, Trapnell BC, Carey B, Stefaniak AB, Kreiss K. Respirable indium exposures, plasma indium, and respiratory health among indium-tin oxide (ITO) workers. Am J Ind Med 2016; 59:522-31. [PMID: 27219296 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Workers manufacturing indium-tin oxide (ITO) are at risk of elevated indium concentration in blood and indium lung disease, but relationships between respirable indium exposures and biomarkers of exposure and disease are unknown. METHODS For 87 (93%) current ITO workers, we determined correlations between respirable and plasma indium and evaluated associations between exposures and health outcomes. RESULTS Current respirable indium exposure ranged from 0.4 to 108 μg/m(3) and cumulative respirable indium exposure from 0.4 to 923 μg-yr/m(3) . Plasma indium better correlated with cumulative (rs = 0.77) than current exposure (rs = 0.54) overall and with tenure ≥1.9 years. Higher cumulative respirable indium exposures were associated with more dyspnea, lower spirometric parameters, and higher serum biomarkers of lung disease (KL-6 and SP-D), with significant effects starting at 22 μg-yr/m(3) , reached by 46% of participants. CONCLUSIONS Plasma indium concentration reflected cumulative respirable indium exposure, which was associated with clinical, functional, and serum biomarkers of lung disease. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:522-531, 2016. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin J. Cummings
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Morgantown West Virginia
| | - M. Abbas Virji
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Morgantown West Virginia
| | - Ji Young Park
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Morgantown West Virginia
- Institute of Health and Environment; Seoul National University; Seoul Republic of Korea
| | - Marcia L. Stanton
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Morgantown West Virginia
| | - Nicole T. Edwards
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Morgantown West Virginia
| | - Bruce C. Trapnell
- Translational Pulmonary Science Center; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati Ohio
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Brenna Carey
- Translational Pulmonary Science Center; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Aleksandr B. Stefaniak
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Morgantown West Virginia
| | - Kathleen Kreiss
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Morgantown West Virginia
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22
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Endocytosis of indium-tin-oxide nanoparticles by macrophages provokes pyroptosis requiring NLRP3-ASC-Caspase1 axis that can be prevented by mesenchymal stem cells. Sci Rep 2016; 6:26162. [PMID: 27194621 PMCID: PMC4872131 DOI: 10.1038/srep26162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The biological effects of indium-tin-oxide (ITO) are of considerable importance because workers exposed to indium compounds have been diagnosed with interstitial lung disease or pulmonary alveolar proteinosis; however, the pathophysiology of these diseases is undefined. Here, mice intraperitoneally inoculated with ITO-nanoparticles (ITO-NPs) resulted in peritonitis dependent in NLRP3 inflammasome, with neutrophils recruitment and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production. Withal peritoneal macrophages exposed ex vivo to ITO-NPs caused IL-1β secretion and cytolysis. Further, alveolar macrophages exposed to ITO-NPs in vitro showed ITO-NP endocytosis and production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-1β, ensued cell death by cytolysis. This cell death was RIPK1-independent but caspase1-dependent, and thus identified as pyroptosis. Endocytosis of ITO-NPs by activated THP-1 cells induced pyroptosis with IL-1β/TNF-α production and cytolysis, but not in activated THP-1 cells with knockdown of NLRP3, ASC, or caspase1. However, exposing activated THP-1 cells with NLRP3 or ASC knockdown to ITO-NPs resulted in cell death but without cytolysis, with deficiency in IL-1β/TNF-α, and revealing features of apoptosis. While, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) co-cultured with macrophages impaired both inflammation and cell death induced by ITO-NPs. Together, our findings provide crucial insights to the pathophysiology of respiratory diseases caused by ITO particles, and identify MSCs as a potent therapeutic.
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23
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Liu HH, Chen CY, Lan CH, Chang CP, Peng CY. Effects of a powered air-purifying respirator intervention on indium exposure reduction and indium related biomarkers among ITO sputter target manufacturing workers. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2016; 13:346-355. [PMID: 26771526 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2015.1125487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) worn by the workers, and to investigate the effect of this application on exposure and preclinical effects in terms of workplace measuring and biomarker monitoring in ITO sputter target manufacturing plants and workers, respectively. Fifty-four workers were recruited and investigated from 2010-2012, during which PAPRs were provided to on-site workers in September 2011. Each worker completed questionnaires and provided blood and urine samples for analysis of biomarkers of indium exposure and preclinical effects. Area and personal indium air samples were randomly collected from selected worksites and from participants. The penetration percentage of the respirator (concentration inside respirator divided by concentration outside respirator) was 6.6%. Some biomarkers, such as S-In, SOD, GPx, GST, MDA, and TMOM, reflected the decrease in exposure and showed lower levels, after implementation of PAPRs. This study is the first to investigate the efficacy of PAPRs for reducing indium exposure. The measurement results clearly showed that the implementation of PAPRs reduces levels of indium-related biomarkers. These findings have practical applications for minimizing occupational exposure to indium and for managing the health of workers exposed to indium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Hsin Liu
- a Department of Occupational Safety and Health , Chung Shan Medical University and Chung Shan Medical University Hospital , Taichung , Taiwan
| | - Chang-Yuh Chen
- b Institute of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health, Ministry of Labor , Taipei , Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hang Lan
- c Department of Occupational Safety and Health , Chung-Hwa University of Medical Technology , Tainan , Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ping Chang
- d Department of Occupational Safety and Health , Chang Jung Christian University , Tainan , Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Yu Peng
- e Department of Public Health , Kaohsiung Medical University , Kaohsiung , Taiwan
- f Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University , Kaohsiung , Taiwan
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Liu Y, Li Y, Yang T, Yang J, Wang H, Wu G. Acute changes in murine hippocampus and olfactory bulb after nasal instillation of varying size cerium dioxide particles. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2016; 79:869-877. [PMID: 27599233 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2016.1193116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Cerium (Ce)-containing compounds are now widely applied in medicine, agriculture, and animal breeding. However, the effects of Ce on humans, especially on the central nervous system (CNS), remain to be determined. In order to investigate whether Ce exposure affected the CNS, the aim of this study was to expose female ICR mice to varying nanoparticle sizes of 35 nm and 300 nm, and to a mixture of 1-5 µM cerium dioxide (CeO2) particles through intranasal (i.n.) instillation at daily dose of 40 mg/kg body weight. Immunohistochemical data showed that glial fibrillary acidic protein expression (GFAP) increased significantly in the hippocampus and olfactory bulb in all Ce-administered groups. The ultrastructure of olfactory bulb cells displayed chromatin reduction. In the hippocampus decreased chromatin was associated with ribosome shedding as evidenced from transmission electron microscopy (TEM). No significant differences in immunohistochemistry were noted between varying sizes of CeO2 groups. The results of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) analysis group exposed to 1-5 µM demonstrated that Ce levels were significantly higher in whole brain (0.17 ng/mg) than for the control (0.04 ng/mg). Data thus demonstrated that i.n. instillation of different sized CeO2 particles induced damage in the olfactory bulb and hippocampus and that CeO2 particle size did not appear to play a role in the observed adverse responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- a Department of Preclinical Medicine and Forensic, Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology , Baotou , P. R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- a Department of Preclinical Medicine and Forensic, Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology , Baotou , P. R. China
| | - Tongwang Yang
- a Department of Preclinical Medicine and Forensic, Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology , Baotou , P. R. China
| | - Jing Yang
- a Department of Preclinical Medicine and Forensic, Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology , Baotou , P. R. China
| | - He Wang
- b School of Health Sciences , University of Newcastle , Collaghan , New South Wales , Australia
| | - Gang Wu
- a Department of Preclinical Medicine and Forensic, Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology , Baotou , P. R. China
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Badding MA, Fix NR, Orandle MS, Barger MW, Dunnick KM, Cummings KJ, Leonard SS. Pulmonary toxicity of indium-tin oxide production facility particles in rats. J Appl Toxicol 2015; 36:618-26. [PMID: 26472246 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Indium-tin oxide (ITO) is used to make transparent conductive coatings for touch-screen and liquid crystal display electronics. Occupational exposures to potentially toxic particles generated during ITO production have increased in recent years as the demand for consumer electronics continues to rise. Previous studies have demonstrated cytotoxicity in vitro and animal models have shown pulmonary inflammation and injury in response to various indium-containing particles. In humans, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) and fibrotic interstitial lung disease have been observed in ITO facility workers. However, which indium materials or specific processes in the workplace may be the most toxic to workers is unknown. Here we examined the pulmonary toxicity of three different particle samples that represent real-life worker exposures, as they were collected at various production stages throughout an ITO facility. Indium oxide (In2O3), sintered ITO (SITO) and ventilation dust (VD) particles each caused pulmonary inflammation and damage in rats over a time course (1, 7 and 90 days post-intratracheal instillation), but SITO and VD appeared to induce greater toxicity in rat lungs than In2O3 at a dose of 1 mg per rat. Downstream pathological changes such as PAP and fibrosis were observed in response to all three particles 90 days after treatment, with a trend towards greatest severity in animals exposed to VD when comparing animals that received the same dose. These findings may inform workplace exposure reduction efforts and provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis of an emerging occupational health issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Badding
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Natalie R Fix
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Marlene S Orandle
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Mark W Barger
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Katherine M Dunnick
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Kristin J Cummings
- Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Stephen S Leonard
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
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Jin SH, Kang SK, Cho IT, Han SY, Chung HU, Lee DJ, Shin J, Baek GW, Kim TI, Lee JH, Rogers JA. Water-soluble thin film transistors and circuits based on amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:8268-8274. [PMID: 25805699 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b00086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents device designs, circuit demonstrations, and dissolution kinetics for amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin film transistors (TFTs) comprised completely of water-soluble materials, including SiNx, SiOx, molybdenum, and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Collections of these types of physically transient a-IGZO TFTs and 5-stage ring oscillators (ROs), constructed with them, show field effect mobilities (∼10 cm2/Vs), on/off ratios (∼2×10(6)), subthreshold slopes (∼220 mV/dec), Ohmic contact properties, and oscillation frequency of 5.67 kHz at supply voltages of 19 V, all comparable to otherwise similar devices constructed in conventional ways with standard, nontransient materials. Studies of dissolution kinetics for a-IGZO films in deionized water, bovine serum, and phosphate buffer saline solution provide data of relevance for the potential use of these materials and this technology in temporary biomedical implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Hun Jin
- †Department of Electronic Engineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 406-772, Korea
| | - Seung-Kyun Kang
- ⊥Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - In-Tak Cho
- §Department of Electrical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-600, Korea
| | - Sang Youn Han
- ⊥Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Ha Uk Chung
- ⊥Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Dong Joon Lee
- ⊥Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Jongmin Shin
- §Department of Electrical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-600, Korea
| | - Geun Woo Baek
- †Department of Electronic Engineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 406-772, Korea
| | - Tae-il Kim
- ∥Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), Institute of Basic Science (IBS), School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 440-746, Korea
| | - Jong-Ho Lee
- §Department of Electrical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-600, Korea
| | - John A Rogers
- ‡Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, and Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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27
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Badding MA, Schwegler-Berry D, Park JH, Fix NR, Cummings KJ, Leonard SS. Sintered indium-tin oxide particles induce pro-inflammatory responses in vitro, in part through inflammasome activation. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0124368. [PMID: 25874458 PMCID: PMC4395338 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Indium-tin oxide (ITO) is used to make transparent conductive coatings for touch-screen and liquid crystal display electronics. As the demand for consumer electronics continues to increase, so does the concern for occupational exposures to particles containing these potentially toxic metal oxides. Indium-containing particles have been shown to be cytotoxic in cultured cells and pro-inflammatory in pulmonary animal models. In humans, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and fibrotic interstitial lung disease have been observed in ITO facility workers. However, which ITO production materials may be the most toxic to workers and how they initiate pulmonary inflammation remain poorly understood. Here we examined four different particle samples collected from an ITO production facility for their ability to induce pro-inflammatory responses in vitro. Tin oxide, sintered ITO (SITO), and ventilation dust particles activated nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) within 3 h of treatment. However, only SITO induced robust cytokine production (IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, and IL-8) within 24 h in both RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages and BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cells. Our lab and others have previously demonstrated SITO-induced cytotoxicity as well. These findings suggest that SITO particles activate the NLRP3 inflammasome, which has been implicated in several immune-mediated diseases via its ability to induce IL-1β release and cause subsequent cell death. Inflammasome activation by SITO was confirmed, but it required the presence of endotoxin. Further, a phagocytosis assay revealed that pre-uptake of SITO or ventilation dust impaired proper macrophage phagocytosis of E. coli. Our results suggest that adverse inflammatory responses to SITO particles by both macrophage and epithelial cells may initiate and propagate indium lung disease. These findings will provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind an emerging occupational health issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A. Badding
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Diane Schwegler-Berry
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505, United States of America
| | - Ju-Hyeong Park
- Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505, United States of America
| | - Natalie R. Fix
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505, United States of America
| | - Kristin J. Cummings
- Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505, United States of America
| | - Stephen S. Leonard
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505, United States of America
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