1. Glucose coated FeO@Fe3O4 nanoparticles show tunable catalytic reactivity and safety in a 3D hepatic in vitro modelMarco 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: 82; Prenosov: 62
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2. TEM images of HepG2 spheroids exposed to magnetic Ferite-based Nanoparticles MxFe3-xO4 (M=Fe, Zn, Mn) for 24 and 96 hours : version v1Marco 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: 263; Prenosov: 224
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3. 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 v1Iza 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: 238; Prenosov: 264
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4. In vitro toxicity assessment of graphene quantum dots using a 3D HepG2 modelIrma 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: 335; Prenosov: 116
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5. 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 modelIza 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: 467; Prenosov: 618
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6. Nano spray-dried particles of in-situ crosslinked alginate and their toxicological characterisationJaka Levanič, Ilja Gasan Osojnik Črnivec, Iza Rozman, Mihaela Skrt, Alja Štern, Bojana Žegura, Nataša Poklar Ulrih, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: The feasibility and technical capacity for producing crosslinked sub-micron gels with a nano spray-dryer were studied with variable pH systems incorporating alginate, pectin, and pullulan. The obtained powders were characterized for their morphology, particle size distribution, and their toxicological safety profile using genotoxicity and cytotoxicity assays. Additionally, quercetin was added to the encapsulation system to study the potential of the system to encapsulate this material. The produced powders exhibited morphologies and particle size distributions characteristic for nano spray-drying. The addition of pullulan and pectin to the feed solutions resulted in a particle size increase, with crosslinked alginate particles having a mean value of 1.43 μm, while particles with added pectin and pullulan had a mean particle size of 1.70 and 1.75 μm, respectively. The inclusion of quercetin proved to be problematic with this encapsulation system. Extremely high degradation rates and extremely low encapsulation efficiencies were observed due to the alkaline pH (~10) of the system that is needed to keep the feed dispersion in a liquid state and prevent premature crosslinking of the alginate. Although pectin and pullulan provided some protection for quercetin in the alkaline dispersion, the absolute quercetin content in the final product remained very low, with a maximum achieved encapsulation efficiency of 2.06 %. The safety profile of most produced powders was favourable, as they did not exhibit any significant cytotoxic and genotoxic activity in the HepG2 cell line, except in the case of Alginate/Pullulan which showed a 43 % decrease in cell viability at 500 μg/mL. Samples where quercetin was added did not show any increased toxicological effect. Ključne besede: alginate, polysaccharides, crosslinking, nano spray drying, toxicological evaluation Objavljeno v DiRROS: 08.05.2025; Ogledov: 1004; Prenosov: 690
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7. Genotoxicity and heating performance of VxFe3-xO4 nanoparticles in health applicationsBeatriz Sanz-Sagué, Amaia Sáenz-Hernández, Bojana Žegura, Alja Štern, Katja Kološa, Iza Rozman, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: The applications of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as biocatalysts in different biomedical areas have been evolved very recently. One of the main challenges in this field is to design affective MNPs surfaces with catalytically active atomic centres, while producing minimal toxicological side effects on the hosting cell or tissues. MNPs of vanadium spinel ferrite (VFe2O4) are a promising material for mimicking the action of natural enzymes in degrading harmful substrates due to the presence of active V5+ centres. However, the toxicity of this material has not been yet studied in detail enough to grant biomedical safety. In this work, we have extensively measured the structural, compositional, and magnetic properties of a series of VxFe3-xO4 spinel ferrite MNPs to assess the surface composition and oxidation state of V atoms, and also performed systematic and extensive in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity testing required to assess their safety in potential clinical applications. We could establish the presence of V5+ at the particle surface even in water-based colloidal samples at pH 7, as well as different amounts of V2+ and V3+ substitution at the A and B sites of the spinel structure. All samples showed large heating efficiency with Specific Loss Power values up to 400 W/g (H0 = 30 kA/m; f = 700 kHz). Samples analysed for safety in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line with up to 24h of exposure showed that these MNPs did not induce major genomic abnormalities such as micronuclei, nuclear buds, or nucleoplasmic bridges (MNIs, NBUDs, and NPBs), nor did they cause DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) or aneugenic effects—types of damage considered most harmful to cellular genetic material. The present study is an essential step towards the use of these type of nanomaterials in any biomedical or clinical application. Ključne besede: magnetic nanoparticles, vanadium ferrite, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, specific power absorption, cell viability Objavljeno v DiRROS: 23.05.2024; Ogledov: 1652; Prenosov: 1026
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