Maja Caf

Background/Objectives: Nanoparticles (NPs) were previously explored as enhancers in electroporation due to their potential to locally amplify electric fields near cell membranes, with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in particular showing promise in improving membrane permeability and gene electrotransfer (GET). In this study, we systematically investigated the influence of NP properties—including size, shape, surface functionalization, and material—on electroporation efficacy. Methods: A combined approach using theoretical modeling and experimental validation was employed, encompassing numerical simulations, membrane permeabilization assays, transmission electron microscopy, and GET efficiency measurements. Results: Numerical results revealed that the presence of NPs alters local electric field distributions, but the amplification is highly localized, regardless of NP conductivity or geometry. Experimentally, only two out of six tested NP types produced a statistically significant, yet modest, increase in membrane permeability at one electric field intensity. Similarly, GET improvement was observed with only one NP type, with no dependence on concentration or functionalization. Conclusions: Overall, our findings demonstrate that NPs, under tested conditions, do not substantially enhance cell membrane permeability or GET efficacy. These conclusions are supported by both computational modeling and in vitro experiments.

We studied inflammatory and oxidative stress-related parameters and cytotoxic response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) to a 24 h treatment with milled particles simulating debris involved in sandblasting of orthopedic implants (OI). We used different abrasives (corundum—(Al₂O₃), used corundum retrieved from removed OI (u. Al₂O₃), and zirconia/silica composite (ZrO₂/SiO₂)). Morphological changes were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Concentration of Interleukins IL-6 and IL-1β and Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF)-α was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Activity of Cholinesterase (ChE) and Glutathione S-transferase (GST) was measured by spectrophotometry. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid droplets (LD) and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry (FCM). Detachment of the cells from glass and budding of the cell membrane did not differ in the treated and untreated control cells. Increased concentration of IL-1β and of IL-6 was found after treatment with all tested particle types, indicating inflammatory response of the treated cells. Increased ChE activity was found after treatment with u. Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂/SiO₂. Increased GST activity was found after treatment with ZrO₂/SiO₂. Increased LD quantity but not ROS quantity was found after treatment with u. Al₂O₃. No cytotoxicity was detected after treatment with u. Al₂O₃. The tested materials in concentrations added to in vitro cell lines were found non-toxic but bioactive and therefore prone to induce a response of the human body to OI.