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1.
Toxicity assessment of three emerging bisphenols (BPA, BPAP and BPC) and their binary mixtures in an advanced in vitro 3D HepG2 cell model
Martina Štampar, Tim Ravnjak, Alja Štern, Bojana Žegura, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek

Povzetek: Bisphenols (BPs) are industrial chemicals extensively used in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins for everyday products, including food and beverage containers, toys, and thermal paper, representing major sources of human exposure. Bisphenol A (BPA) is the most prevalent; however, due to its endocrine-disrupting, reproductive, and genotoxic effects, it is classified as a substance of high concern by the European Chemicals Agency. Regulatory restrictions have prompted the use of structural analogues, including bisphenol AP (BPAP) and bisphenol C (BPC); however, emerging evidence suggests they may pose similar or greater health risks. Comprehensive data on their toxicity and human exposure, especially in mixtures, remain limited. This study assessed the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of BPA, and less studied analogues BPAP, BPC, and their binary mixtures using a human-relevant 3D HepG2 spheroid model, representing an advanced in vitro system. Spheroids were exposed for 24 and 96 h, and effects were evaluated by ATP-based viability assays, comet assay, and targeted transcriptomics. None of the bisphenols induced significant cytotoxicity, although slight reductions in viability were observed for BPAP, BPC, and mixtures. DNA strand breaks were detected after exposure to BPA, BPC, and mixtures. Transcriptomic analysis revealed modest stress responses and strong upregulation of xenobiotic metabolism genes (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP3A4, UGT1A1, NAT2), indicating cellular recognition of the tested bisphenols as bioactive xenobiotics. Antioxidant and DNA repair genes were largely unchanged, except for upregulation of oxidative stress markers HMOX1 and SRXN1 and a slight increase in OGG1, indicating oxidative DNA damage. Importantly, mixture effects were predominantly additive, with no evidence of synergistic interactions under the tested conditions. Overall, bisphenol exposure primarily triggered oxidative stress and metabolic responses rather than robust DNA damage signalling, suggesting that genotoxicity is largely mediated by reactive oxygen species. By integrating multiple endpoints in a 3D liver model, this study provides a more comprehensive assessment of bisphenol toxicity and highlights potential risks associated with BPA analogues and their mixtures, supporting the need for a comprehensive safety assessment to evaluate their suitability as replacements in consumer products.
Ključne besede: bisphenol, DNA damage, oxidative stress, complex mixtures, metabolism
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 10.07.2026; Ogledov: 21; Prenosov: 19
.pdf Celotno besedilo (3,51 MB)
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2.
Glucose coated FeO@Fe3O4 nanoparticles show tunable catalytic reactivity and safety in a 3D hepatic in vitro model
Marco A. Morales Ovalle, Iza Rozman, Elin L. Winkler, Enio Lima, Alja Štern, Katja Kološa, Bojana Žegura, Gerardo F. Goya, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek

Povzetek: Iron-oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been extensively investigated as magnetically actuated nanocatalysts for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. However, because wüstite/magnetite/maghemite phases can interconvert, coexisting Fe2+/Fe3+ species may redirect Fenton-like chemistry and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) profiles that differ from the intended biocatalytic pathway. Here, we investigate monodisperse biphasic FeO@Fe3O4 core-shell MNPs with an average particle size ⟨d⟩ = 9.6(5) nm, and their glucose-coated analogue, combining EPR radical analysis with toxicity testing in a 3D HepG2 hepatic spheroid model. Naked particles exhibited conventional Fenton-like behavior dominated by hydroxyl radicals (⋅OH), whereas glucose coating markedly suppressed ⋅OH while increasing hydroperoxyl radicals (⋅OOH; ≈55 pM at 60 min), demonstrating ligand-controlled rerouting of the radical pathway. TEM mapping across spheroid cross-sections showed preferential MNP accumulation in the outer layer, with most observed events confined to the outer ≈10–15 μm, corresponding to an approximately one-cell-thick rim; sparse deeper events were observed up to ≈30–35 μm. MNPs produced dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity in HepG2 spheroids, with IC50 values of 29.3 (24 h) and 10.8 (96 h) µg·cm− 2, without evidence of lipid peroxidation or genotoxicity. MDA levels remained unchanged, the comet assay showed no increase in DNA damage, and γH2AX and phospho-H3 (p-H3) positive events were not detected. Our results show that glucose functionalization provides a simple route to modulate radical pathways and define operational windows for redox-active FeO@Fe3O4 nano-reactors in oxidative nanomedicine.
Ključne besede: iron-oxide nanoparticles, Fenton-like catalysis, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, HepG2 spheroids
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 02.06.2026; Ogledov: 163; Prenosov: 170
.pdf Celotno besedilo (8,67 MB)
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3.
TEM images of HepG2 spheroids exposed to magnetic Ferite-based Nanoparticles MxFe3-xO4 (M=Fe, Zn, Mn) for 24 and 96 hours : version v1
Marco A. Morales Ovalle, Iza Rozman, Alja Štern, Gerardo F. Goya, Álvaro Gallo-Cordova, María del Puerto Morales, Bojana Žegura, 2025, zaključena znanstvena zbirka raziskovalnih podatkov

Povzetek: Nanosized spinel-type ferrites have gained recognition as a unique class of engineered nanomaterials with promising applications, but their safety profiles remain insufficiently explored. Although iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) are biologically relevant elements, the use of Zn- and Mn-containing ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) in biomedical contexts demands careful (geno)toxicity evaluation. In this study, three ferrite NPs – γFe2O3 (FeNPs), Zn0.7Fe2.3O4 (ZnNPs), and Mn0.4Fe2.6O4 (MnNPs) – synthesised through a microwave-assisted polyol route, functionalized with citric acid to improve colloidal stability, were evaluated for their potential (geno)toxic effects in an advanced in vitro 3D cell model, HepG2 spheroids. To assess the spatial distribution of the tested NPs within the 3D cellular architecture of HepG2 spheroids, TEM analysis was performed after 24 and 96 hours of exposure. HepG2 spheroids were exposed to each NP type at a concentration of 50 µg/mL. Following incubation, spheroids were collected, gently washed with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) to remove unbound NP, and fixed in 2 % glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (PB, pH 7.2) for 2 hours at room temperature, followed by incubation in 1.5 % glutaraldehyde in 0.05 M PB at 4°C overnight. Post-fixation was carried out with 1% osmium tetroxide for 1 hour at room temperature, followed by dehydration through a graded ethanol series (30%, 50%, 70%, 90%, and absolute ethanol) and infiltration with epoxy resin. For cross-sectional analysis, resin-embedded spheroids were polymerised at 60 °C for 48 hours, and ultrathin sections (~70 nm) were obtained using an ultramicrotome. Sections were collected on copper grids and stained with uranyl acetate (2% aqueous) and lead citrate to enhance contrast. Imaging was performed using a Tecnai T20 transmission electron microscope (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA) operated at 200 kV. For each sample and time point, at least three spheroids were analysed. Additionally, in one selected spheroid, a systematic series of TEM images was acquired along a straight linear trajectory across the section, beginning at one external edge of the spheroid and progressing through consecutive adjacent fields until reaching the opposite border, and then the images were composed into a single frame.
Ključne besede: TEM, ferrite-based nanoparticles, HepG2 spheroids, internalization, bioaccumulation
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 24.03.2026; Ogledov: 323; Prenosov: 298
.zip Raziskovalni podatki (320,01 MB)
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4.
Transcriptomic responses of oxidative and genotoxic stress responsive genes after exposure to MxFe3-xO4 (M = Fe, Zn, Mn) in an advanced 3D human hepatic in vitro model : version v1
Iza Rozman, Alja Štern, Bojana Žegura, Gerardo F. Goya, Álvaro Gallo-Cordova, María del Puerto Morales, 2025, zaključena znanstvena zbirka raziskovalnih podatkov

Povzetek: Nanosized spinel-type ferrites have gained recognition as a unique class of engineered nanomaterials with promising applications, but their safety profiles remain insufficiently explored. Although iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) are biologically relevant elements, the use of Zn- and Mn-containing ferrite nanoparticles in biomedical contexts demands careful (geno)toxicity evaluation. In this study, three ferrite nanoparticles – γFe2O3 (FeNPs), Zn0.7Fe2.3O4 (ZnNPs), and Mn0.4Fe2.6O4 (MnNPs) – synthesised through a microwave-assisted polyol route, functionalized with citric acid to improve colloidal stability, were evaluated for their potential (geno)toxic effects in an advanced in vitro 3D cell model, HepG2 spheroids. Cellular stress responses upon exposure to the particle were assessed using toxicogenomic analysis.This approach allows the identification of early molecular events that may precede overt toxicity, supporting a mechanistic understanding of adverse outcomes and facilitating the development of predictive biomarkers for hazard assessment. In the present study, the expression of selected DNA damage-responsive genes (TP53, MDM2, GADD45a, CDKN1A, OGG1, and JUNB), apoptosis-related genes (BCL2 and BAX) and oxidative stress response genes (SOD1, CAT, GPX1, GCLC, and GSR) was evaluated. The expression of the selected genes after exposure to the tested nanoparticles was analysed by qPCR primer assays (Applied Biosystems, USA) and One 48.48 Dynamic Array IFC for Gene Expression (Fluidigm, USA). After 24 and 96 hours of exposure, the spheroids were collected, and total RNA was isolated using the RNeasy Mini Kit from Qiagen (Qiagen, Germany) according to the manufacturer's instructions. 10 µg/mL etoposide served as athe positive control for the toxicogenomic analysis. RNA concentration and purity were assessed using a NanoDrop 1000 spectrophotometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific) by measuring absorbance at 260/280 nm and gele efectrophoresis (Figure 1). Reverse transcription of 1 µg total RNA per sample was performed with the High-Capacity cDNA Reverse Transcription Kit (Applied Biosystems, MA, USA) on a BIO-RAD T100 thermal cycler under conditions listed in Table 3. For preamplification, 4 µL of each of the 24 selected TaqMan assays (SM2) were pooled into a primer mix. The reaction mixture was prepared using TATAA PreAmp GrandMasterMix (Tataa Biocenter, Sweden), the primer pool, and nuclease-free water, following manufacturer instructions. Negative controls (NTC for preamplification and NTCq for qPCR) were included. Each reaction contained 8 µL of mix and 2 µL of 5× diluted cDNA, processed in a 96-deep well plate, sealed, vortexed, and centrifuged (1000 g, 1 min). Preamplification was carried out on a BIO-RAD T100 thermal cycler under conditions in Table 4. Gene expression analysis used TaqMan Universal PCR Master Mix and TaqMan Gene Expression Assays (Table 6). Preamplified samples were diluted 10× with nuclease-free water. Assays were prepared by mixing equal volumes (6 µL) of each assay with Fluidigm Assay Loading Reagent Kit – 10IFCS. The reaction premix combined DNA Sample Loading Reagent and Fast Probe Master Mix (Biotium/Roche) and was added to each diluted cDNA sample. qPCR was performed on 48.48 Dynamic Array™ IFC chips using the Fluidigm BioMark™ HD System under conditions in Table 5. Data were analysed with Fluidigm Gene Expression Analysis Software and quantGenious. Fold changes >1.5 or <0.66 were considered biologically relevant. Statistical significance between NP-exposed cells and solvent controls was assessed using ANOVA and Dunnett’s test in GraphPad Prism v9 (GraphPad Software, CA, USA).
Ključne besede: ferrite-based nanoparticles, HepG2 spheroids, toxicogenomics, changes in gene expression
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 24.03.2026; Ogledov: 306; Prenosov: 339
.zip Raziskovalni podatki (172,98 KB)
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5.
In vitro toxicity assessment of graphene quantum dots using a 3D HepG2 model
Irma Durmišević, Anja Haverić, Sonja Žabkar, Alja Štern, Katja Kološa, Petra Jenuš, Iza Rozman, Bojana Žegura, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek

Povzetek: In the present study, two types of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were investigated: green-emitting (G-GQDs) and blue-emitting (B-GQDs). Physicochemical characterisation was performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential, and hydrodynamic radius measurements to evaluate the morphology, particle size, aggregation behaviour, and colloidal stability of the GQDs in both water and cell culture medium. G-GQDs exhibited superior colloidal stability and more uniform dispersion than B-GQDs, whereas both types showed reduced aggregation and surface charge in cell culture medium due to protein corona formation. Toxicological characterisation was performed using an in vitro human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) 3D spheroid model, with GQDs exposures up to 250 µg/mL (100 µg/cm2). Cytotoxicity was measured using the CellTiter-Glo luminometric assay, while genotoxicity was evaluated by the comet assay and flow cytometric analysis of γH2AX and phosphorylated histone H3 (p-H3) after 24 h of exposure. Both GQDs induced dose-dependent cytotoxic effects in HepG2 spheroids. At non-cytotoxic concentrations, a dose-dependent increase in DNA damage was observed, as determined by the comet assay. However, no evidence of DNA double-strand breaks (γH2AX) or elevated p-H3 levels was detected, suggesting the absence of clastogenic and aneugenic activity. The observed DNA single-strand breaks may be partly attributed to reactive oxygen species induction. These results indicate that, although GQDs induced cytotoxicity and single-strand DNA damage, no clear evidence of more severe genotoxic effects was observed under the tested conditions. Further studies are warranted to elucidate underlying mechanisms and comprehensively assess the safety profile of GQDs for biomedical applications.
Ključne besede: nanomaterials, graphene quantum dots, HepG2 spheroids, toxicity
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 19.03.2026; Ogledov: 434; Prenosov: 155
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6.
7.
Data from: Single and combined toxicity of BPA, BPAP, and BPC in a 3D human hepatic model
Martina Štampar, Tim Ravnjak, Alja Štern, Bojana Žegura, 2026, zaključena znanstvena zbirka raziskovalnih podatkov

Ključne besede: bisphenol, DNA damage, oxidative stress, complex mixtures, metabolism
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 03.02.2026; Ogledov: 51; Prenosov: 31
.pdf Raziskovalni podatki (678,44 KB)
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8.
Safety of ferrite nanoparticles for biomedical applications: cyto- and genotoxic effects of MxFe3-xO4 (M = Fe, Zn, Mn) in an advanced 3D human hepatic in vitro model
Iza Rozman, Álvaro Gallo-Cordova, María del Puerto Morales, Marco A. Morales Ovalle, Gerardo F. Goya, Katja Kološa, Domen Hočevar, Bojana Žegura, Alja Štern, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek

Povzetek: Given the growing interest in nanosized spinel-type ferrite nanoparticles for biomedical applications and the limited information on their safety, this study aimed to assess their cellular and genotoxic effects in an in vitro 3D human hepatic cell model (HepG2 spheroids). Ferrite nanoparticles – γFe2O3 (FeNPs; 14 ± 4 nm), Zn0.7Fe2.3O4 (ZnNPs; 14 ± 5 nm), and Mn0.4Fe2.6O4 (MnNPs; 7 ± 2 nm) – were synthesised through a microwave-assisted polyol route, functionalized with citric acid, and characterised using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Nanoparticle uptake was analysed using TEM, cytotoxicity was measured with CellTiter-Glo®, and oxidative stress induction was assessed using the 2′,7′-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assay. Genotoxic effects were evaluated using the comet, γH2AX and p-H3 assays. Cellular stress responses were assessed using toxicogenomic analysis. Significant cytotoxicity of the tested nanoparticles (0.1–250 µg/mL) was observed; however, TEM analysis revealed limited penetration to the outermost cell layers of spheroids. Notably, only FeNPs induced ROS generation, while MDA levels remained unchanged in all tested samples. Low DNA damage was detected at 24 h, but a significant increase was observed at 96 h (5–50 µg/mL). No increase in γH2AX or p-H3 was found. No substantial alterations in DNA damage or oxidative stress-response gene expression were detected. Altogether, our findings suggest that the effects of ferrite nanoparticles are time- and composition-dependent, underlining the importance of further mechanistic and chronic exposure evaluations in 3D cell models.
Ključne besede: DNA damage, genotoxicity, HepG2 spheroids, magnetic ferrite-based nanoparticles, ROS induction, safety assessment, toxicogenomics
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 27.01.2026; Ogledov: 549; Prenosov: 716
.docx Celotno besedilo (900,12 KB)
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9.
CutCancer Final Conference 2025 : shaping tomorrow
2025, druge monografije in druga zaključena dela

Ključne besede: genetska toksikologija, citogenetika, raziskave raka, biologija raka, zborniki, znanstvena posvetovanja
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 16.10.2025; Ogledov: 896; Prenosov: 343
.pdf Celotno besedilo (3,37 MB)

10.
Deregulations of DNA damage-responsive genes, genes involved in the endocrine system, in an advanced in vitro 3D zebrafish hepatic cell model after exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) and its emerging alternatives BPAF, BPAP and BPPH : version v1
Alja Štern, Špela Rozman, Bojana Žegura, 2025, zaključena znanstvena zbirka raziskovalnih podatkov

Povzetek: Bisphenol AF (BPAF), Bisphenol AP (BPAP), and Bisphenol PH (BPPH) are being introduced into consumer products to replace BPA and are subsequently detected in ecosystems. This study investigates the genotoxic and endocrine-disruptive potential of these emerging bisphenols using a 3D in vitro liver spheroid model derived from Danio rerio (ZFL cell line), on the transcriptional level. The selected genes targeted DNA damage response pathways (TP53, NER, BER) and endocrine-related signalling (Table 1). ZFL spheroids were prepared by a force floating method as described by Štampar et al. (2019)1. Four-day-old ZFL spheroids were exposed to BPA (50 and 200 µM), BPAF (25 and 100 µM), BPAP (25 and 100 µM), and BPPH (10 and 50 µM) for 24 (Table 2) and 96 (Table 3) hours. Following exposure, total RNA was extracted using the RNeasy® Mini Kit (Qiagen, Germany). RNA quality and quantity were assessed prior to reverse transcription (Applied Biosystems, USA), followed by gene-specific preamplification (TATAA PreAmp GrandMasterMix, Tataa Biocenter, Sweden). Gene expression analysis was performed using TaqMan Gene Expression Assays (Applied Biosystems, USA) on the Fluidigm One 48.48 Dynamic Array IFC microfluidic system as described by Štern et al. (2024)2. The generated data was analysed using the Fluidigm Gene Expression Analysis Software and with a free-accessible web program, quantGenious3. The difference in gene expression greater than 1.5-fold was considered a biologically important up/downregulation (relative expression >1.5 or <0.66, respectively). Statistically significant differences were analysed using ANOVA and Dunnett’s multiple comparison test in GraphPad Prism v9 (GraphPad Software, San Diego, CA, USA).
Ključne besede: bisphenols, genotoxicity, endocrine disruption, ZFL spheroids, gene expression, data
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 30.09.2025; Ogledov: 835; Prenosov: 585
.pdf Celotno besedilo (1,09 MB)
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