Quantum Sensing for Detection of Zinc-Triggered Free Radicals in Endothelial Cells

Author(s)

Daniel Wojtas, Runrun Li, Anna Jarzębska, Bartosz Sułkowski, Michael Zehetbauer, Erhard Schafler, Krzysztof Wierzbanowski, Aldona Mzyk, Romana Schirhagl

Abstract

Oxidative stress originating from the overproduction of free radicals poses a major threat to cell fate, therefore it is of great importance to address the formation of free radicals in cells subjected to various pathological stimuli. Here we investigate the free radical response of endothelial cells to biodegradable zinc. In addition to the standard free radical assays, relaxometry was used for determining the production of free radicals in cells exposed to non-physiological concentrations of zinc ions. The cellular morphology, intracellular zinc accumulation, as well as the levels of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, are determined using standard fluorescent methods. For endothelial cells subjected to 50% zinc extracts, deviations from the normal cell shape and cell agglomeration tendency are observed. The culture medium containing the highest amount of zinc ions caused nuclei fragmentation, blebbing, and cell shrinkage, indicating cell death. A potential explanation for the observed phenomena is an overproduction of free radicals. In the case of 1% and 10% zinc extracts, the formation of free radicals is clearly confirmed by relaxometry, while the results obtained by using fluorescent techniques are unambiguous. It is revealed that high concentrations of zinc ions released from biodegradable samples induce a deleterious effect on endothelial cells.

Organisation(s)

Dynamics of Condensed Systems

External organisation(s)

Masaryk University, AGH University of Science and Technology, University of Groningen, Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS), Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Journal

Advanced Quantum Technologies

Volume

6

No. of pages

13

ISSN

2511-9044

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1002/qute.202300174

Publication date

2023

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

103015 Condensed matter, 103029 Statistical physics

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Statistical and Nonlinear Physics, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Computational Theory and Mathematics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/928fa6fe-ad08-4fd4-a51f-b114da4897a6