Co-exposure of C60 fullerene with benzo[a]pyrene results in enhanced biological effects in cells as determined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy

Abstract

C₆₀ fullerene (C₆₀) is a promising manufactured carbon-based nanoparticle (NP). With an increasing number of applications, it is being found in the environment. In addition, C₆₀ is likely to associate with other environmental toxic contaminants. How such interactions with C₆₀ can impact on the environmental fate, transport and bioavailability of toxicants remains unknown. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). Herein, two cell lines (fish gill or MCF-7 cells) were employed to explore the biological impacts of co-exposure to C₆₀ and B[a]P. Post-exposure cells were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy. By inputting spectral data into principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis, data reduction allowed for visualisation of cell categorization and identification of wavenumber-related biomarkers corresponding to cellular alterations. Our results indicate that low-dose C₆₀ increases B[a]P-induced alterations, while C₆₀ at high concentrations reduces these effects. We also found that although C₆₀ co-exposure increases B[a]P-induced CYP1A1 induction, co-exposure seemingly attenuates the levels of oxidative damage induced by either agent singly. This suggests that interactions between environmental NPs and contaminants are complex and unpredictable.