New Insights into the Cellular Toxicity of Carbon Quantum Dots to <i>Escherichia coli</i>
In this study, the cytotoxicity and toxic mechanism of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) to <i>E. coli</i> were evaluated in vitro. The synthetic CQDs were extremely small in size (~2.08 nm) and displayed strong fluorescence. The results demonstrated that CQDs showed good biocompatibility with...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Antioxidants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/11/12/2475 |
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| author | Shirong Qiang Li Zhang Zhengbin Li Jianjun Liang Ping Li Jiayu Song Kunling Guo Zihuan Wang Qiaohui Fan |
| author_facet | Shirong Qiang Li Zhang Zhengbin Li Jianjun Liang Ping Li Jiayu Song Kunling Guo Zihuan Wang Qiaohui Fan |
| author_sort | Shirong Qiang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, the cytotoxicity and toxic mechanism of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) to <i>E. coli</i> were evaluated in vitro. The synthetic CQDs were extremely small in size (~2.08 nm) and displayed strong fluorescence. The results demonstrated that CQDs showed good biocompatibility with <i>E. coli</i> within a short culture time. However, when the exposure time exceeded 24 h, the toxicity of CQDs became apparent, and the contents of reactive oxygen species, lactate dehydrogenase, and the crystal violet absorption rate increased significantly. To further explore the cytotoxic mechanism, approaches including confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and biological transmission electron microscopy combined with zeta potential tests, osmotic pressure measurement, and comet assays were performed. On the one hand, the CQDs altered the surface charges of cells and induced lipid peroxidation by adhesion on the surface of <i>E. coli</i>, leading to an increase in the permeability of the cell wall. On the other hand, when the concentration of CQDs reached 200 µg/mL, the osmotic pressure of the extracellular environment was significantly reduced. These are the main factors that lead to cell edema and death. Finally, the comet assays confirmed that CQDs could induce DNA damage, which could inhibit the proliferation of <i>E. coli</i>. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:23:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-66afc708b8f646edaf4e6d68ceaad7cc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3921 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:23:02Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antioxidants |
| spelling | doaj.art-66afc708b8f646edaf4e6d68ceaad7cc2023-11-24T12:58:44ZengMDPI AGAntioxidants2076-39212022-12-011112247510.3390/antiox11122475New Insights into the Cellular Toxicity of Carbon Quantum Dots to <i>Escherichia coli</i>Shirong Qiang0Li Zhang1Zhengbin Li2Jianjun Liang3Ping Li4Jiayu Song5Kunling Guo6Zihuan Wang7Qiaohui Fan8Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaSecond Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaSecond Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaNorthwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaNorthwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaNorthwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaSchool of Public Health of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaKey Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaNorthwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaIn this study, the cytotoxicity and toxic mechanism of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) to <i>E. coli</i> were evaluated in vitro. The synthetic CQDs were extremely small in size (~2.08 nm) and displayed strong fluorescence. The results demonstrated that CQDs showed good biocompatibility with <i>E. coli</i> within a short culture time. However, when the exposure time exceeded 24 h, the toxicity of CQDs became apparent, and the contents of reactive oxygen species, lactate dehydrogenase, and the crystal violet absorption rate increased significantly. To further explore the cytotoxic mechanism, approaches including confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and biological transmission electron microscopy combined with zeta potential tests, osmotic pressure measurement, and comet assays were performed. On the one hand, the CQDs altered the surface charges of cells and induced lipid peroxidation by adhesion on the surface of <i>E. coli</i>, leading to an increase in the permeability of the cell wall. On the other hand, when the concentration of CQDs reached 200 µg/mL, the osmotic pressure of the extracellular environment was significantly reduced. These are the main factors that lead to cell edema and death. Finally, the comet assays confirmed that CQDs could induce DNA damage, which could inhibit the proliferation of <i>E. coli</i>.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/11/12/2475carbon quantum dots<i>E. coli</i>biologic toxicitymembrane permeabilityosmotic pressure |
| spellingShingle | Shirong Qiang Li Zhang Zhengbin Li Jianjun Liang Ping Li Jiayu Song Kunling Guo Zihuan Wang Qiaohui Fan New Insights into the Cellular Toxicity of Carbon Quantum Dots to <i>Escherichia coli</i> Antioxidants carbon quantum dots <i>E. coli</i> biologic toxicity membrane permeability osmotic pressure |
| title | New Insights into the Cellular Toxicity of Carbon Quantum Dots to <i>Escherichia coli</i> |
| title_full | New Insights into the Cellular Toxicity of Carbon Quantum Dots to <i>Escherichia coli</i> |
| title_fullStr | New Insights into the Cellular Toxicity of Carbon Quantum Dots to <i>Escherichia coli</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | New Insights into the Cellular Toxicity of Carbon Quantum Dots to <i>Escherichia coli</i> |
| title_short | New Insights into the Cellular Toxicity of Carbon Quantum Dots to <i>Escherichia coli</i> |
| title_sort | new insights into the cellular toxicity of carbon quantum dots to i escherichia coli i |
| topic | carbon quantum dots <i>E. coli</i> biologic toxicity membrane permeability osmotic pressure |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/11/12/2475 |
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