Autophagy-sensitized cytotoxicity of quantum dots in PC12 cells.

Li, Xiaoming; Chen, Nan; Su, Yuanyuan; He, Yao; Yin, Min; Wei, Min; Wang, Lianhui; Huang, Wei et al. · Adv Healthc Mater · 2014

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Both CdTe and CdTe/CdS/ZnS quantum dots induce similar levels of autophagy in PC12 and HEK293 cells, while the former exhibits higher toxicity. Low levels of cadmium ions are not sufficient to induce either autophagy or cytotoxicity by themselves. Interestingly, the combination of cadmium ions and CdTe/CdS/ZnS mimics the toxic effect of CdTe, suggesting that autophagy sensitizes cells to cadmium ions.

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