چکیده (انگلیسی):

As the lung is one of the main routes of exposure to manufactured nanoparticles, we developed
an in vitro model resembling the alveolo-capillary barrier for the study of nanoparticle
translocation.
In order to provide a relevant and ethical in vitro model, cost effective and easyto-
implement human cell lines were used. Pulmonary epithelial cells (Calu-3 cell line)
and macrophages (THP-1 differentiated cells) were cultivated on the apical side and
pulmonary endothelial cells (HPMEC-ST1.6R cell line) on the basal side of a microporous
polyester membrane (Transwell®). Translocation of non-functionalized (51 and
110 nm) and aminated (52 nm) fluorescent polystyrene (PS) nanobeads was studied in this
system.
The use of Calu-3 cells allowed high transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) values
(>1000  cm2) in co-cultures with or without macrophages. After 24 h of exposure to noncytotoxic
concentrations of non-functionalized PS nanobeads, the relative TEER values
(%/t0) were significantly decreased in co-cultures. Epithelial cells and macrophages were
able to internalize PS nanobeads. Regarding translocation, Transwell® membranes per se
limit the passage of nanoparticles between apical and basal side. However, small nonfunctionalized
PS nanobeads (51 nm) were able to translocate as they were detected in the
basal side of co-cultures. Altogether, these results show that this co-culture model present
good barrier properties allowing the study of nanoparticle translocation but research effort
need to be done to improve the neutrality of the porous membrane delimitating apical and
basal sides of the model.