Lung distribution, quantification, co-localization and speciation of silver nanoparticles after lung exposure in mice

• Local Ag distribution, and co-localization with Fe, Cu and S, was determined.
• XRF, μXANES, and μPIXE techniques were used.
• A quarter of all macrophages in the lumen of the airways contained ENPs.
• A large part of the ENPs was dissolved and complexed to thiol-containing molecules.
• Ag, S-rich spots were enriched in Fe and Cu, suggestive for metallothioneins (MTs).

Large knowledge gaps still exist on the toxicological mechanisms of silver (Ag) engineered nanoparticles (ENPs); a comprehensive understanding of the sources, biodistribution, toxicity and transformation of Ag ENPs along their life cycle and after transfer in living organisms is needed. In a previous study, mice were pulmonary exposed to Ag ENPs and local (lung) and systemic toxic effects together with biodistribution to organs including heart, liver, spleen and kidney were investigated. Here, Ag lung distribution, local concentration, co-localization with other elements such as Fe, Cu and S, and speciation were determined after lung exposure to Ag ENPs using micro X-ray fluorescence (μXRF), micro X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy (μXANES) and micro proton-induced X-ray emission (μPIXE) techniques. We found that approximately a quarter of all macrophages in the lumen of the airways contained ENPs. High local concentrations of Ag were also detected in the lung tissue, probably phagocytized by macrophages. The largest part of the ENPs was dissolved and complexed to thiol-containing molecules. Increased concentrations of Fe and Cu observed in the Ag-rich spots suggest that these molecules are metallothioneins (MTs). These results give more insights on the behavior of Ag ENPs in the lung in vivo and will help in the understanding of the toxicological mechanisms of Ag ENPs.

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