An Integrated Multilevel Analysis Profiling Biosafety and Toxicity Induced by Indium- and Cadmium-Based Quantum Dots in Vivo

Indium phosphide quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as a new class of fluorescent nanocrystals for manifold applications, from biophotonics to nanomedicine. Recent efforts in improving the photoluminescence quantum yield, the chemical stability and the biocompatibility turned them into a valid alternative to well established Cd-based nanocrystals. In vitro studies provided first evidence for the lower toxicity of In based QDs. Nonetheless, an urgent need exists for further assessment of the potential toxic effects in vivo. Here we use the freshwater polyp Hydra vulgaris, a well-established model previously adopted to assess the toxicity of CdSe/CdS nanorods and CdTe QDs. A systematic multilevel analysis was carried out in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro comparing toxicity end points of CdSe- and InP-based QDs, passivated by ZnSe/ZnS shells and surface functionalized with penicillamine. Final results demonstrate that both the chemical composition of the QD core (InP vs CdSe) and the shell play a crucial role for final outcomes. Remarkably, in absence of in vivo alterations, cell and molecular alterations revealed hidden toxicity aspects, highlighting the biosafety of InP-based nanocrystals and outlining the importance of integrated multilevel analyses for proper QDs risk assessment.