Charged nanobubbles in culture media differentially affect viability of human iPSC-derived neurons

Abstract

Nanobubbles (NBs) are gas-filled spherical structures less than 1 {micro}m in diameter, characterized by high surface charge, long-term stability, and the ability to generate bactericidal hydroxyl radicals upon collapse. Although these unique properties enable their extensive applications, including wastewater treatment, their cell biological applications at neutral pH remain limited by difficulties in maintaining stability and surface charge. Here, we succeeded in generating both positively and negatively charged NBs, achieving high zeta potentials in human iPSC-derived neural progenitor cell (NPC) and neuron culture media (pH 7.4). Similar to their bactericidal effects, NBs induced cell death in iPSC-derived cells, with positively charged NBs showing stronger cytotoxicity than negatively charged ones. This may be because the cell membrane carries a negative charge, making positively charged NBs more likely to approach and interact with the membrane, or because positively charged nanobubbles exhibit stronger radical generation. In future, we aim to elucidate the molecular biological mechanisms underlying NB-induced cell death and to contribute to the potential application of nanobubbles in regenerative medicine. This study will serve as an initial step toward that goal.