Cytotoxicity of nanoparticle-loaded polymer capsules

Cytotoxic effects of micrometer-sized polymer capsules composed out of alternating layers of polystyrenesulfonate (PSS) and polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) on a fibroblast cell line have been investigated with an adhesion assay. For the purpose of visualization with fluorescence nanometer-sized CdTe nanoparticles have been embedded in the walls of the capsules. Similar to free CdTe nanoparticles, toxic Cd-ions are also released from CdTe nanoparticles that have been embedded in capsules. At high capsule concentrations, the capsules start to sediment on top of the cells and thus impair cell viability.