Cell chip for detection of silica nanoparticle-induced cytotoxicity

Currently, it is of great interest to elucidate the cellular effects of inorganic nanoparticles due to their high potential as a functional cargo. Here, we report an easy and sensitive electrochemical method for evaluation of the potential toxicity of inorganic nanoparticles compared to optical and fluorescence-based techniques. RGD-MAP-C peptides were coated on an electrode Au surface to enhance cell adhesion, and SH-SY5Y cells were immobilized on the peptide-coated electrode surface for electrochemical study. The reduction peak of cyclic voltammetry decreased with increasing concentrations of silica nanoparticles as well as at different incubation times under fixed concentration conditions. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay conducted to validate the electrochemical findings showed similar results. Therefore, our system consisting of an electrochemical technique with a cell chip can be applied for the evaluation of the potential cellular toxicity of various inorganic nanoparticles.