Cytotoxicity and cellular mechanisms involved in the toxicity of CdS quantum dots in hemocytes and gill cells of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.

Highlights: [•] CdS QDs were cytotoxic for mussel hemocytes and gill cells in vitro. [•] Ionic Cd was the most toxic form, followed by CdS QDs and bulk CdS. [•] CdS QDs altered oxidative balance and caused DNA damage in mussel cells. [•] CdS QDs caused a particle-specific immunostimulation on phagocytosis of hemocytes. [•] Conceptual models for cellular handling and toxicity of CdS QDs are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]