Microfluidic image cytometry (μFIC) assessments of silver nanoparticle cytotoxicity

Abstract

Cytotoxicity assessment of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was performed using MTT-based microfluidic image cytometry (μFIC). The LC50 value of HeLa cells exposed to AgNPs in the microfluidic device was estimated as 46.7 mg/L, which is similar to that estimated by MTT-based IC for cells cultured in a 96 well plate (49.9 mg/ L). These results confirm that the μFIC approach can produce cytotoxicity data that is reasonably well-matched with that of the conventional 96 well plate system with much higher efficiency. This μFIC method provides many benefits including ease of use and low cost, and is a more rapid in vitro cell based assay for AgNPs. This may aid in speeding up data acquisition in the field of nanosafety and make a significant contribution to the quantitative understanding of nanoproperty- toxicity relationships.