Analysis of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in a short-term dependent manner induced by a new titanium dioxide nanoparticle in murine fibroblast cells

• Published in: Toxicology mechanisms and methods Vol. 32; no. 3; pp. 213 - 223
• Main Authors: Pedrino, Matheus, Brassolatti, Patrícia, Maragno Fattori, Ana Carolina, Bianchi, Jaqueline, de Almeida Rodolpho, Joice Margareth, de Godoy, Krissia Franco, Assis, Marcelo, Longo, Elson, Nogueira Zambone Pinto Rossi, Karina, Speglich, Carlos, de Freitas Anibal, Fernanda
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 24-03-2022
• Subjects: Animals; apoptosis; cytotoxicity; DNA Damage; Fibroblasts - metabolism; genotoxicity; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles - toxicity; Mice; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - toxicity; Oxidative Stress; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Titanium - chemistry; titanium dioxide nanoparticle; genotoxicity; Nanomaterials; apoptosis; titanium dioxide nanoparticle; cytotoxicity; oxidative stress
• ISSN: 1537-6516; 1537-6524
• DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2021.1994075

The extensive use of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO
2
NPs) in cosmetics, food, personal care products, and industries brought concerns about their possible harmful effects. Nowadays it has become important to assess TiO
2
NPs toxic effects as a way to understand their primary risks. In the cellular environment, after cell uptake, TiO
2
NPs were described to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, unbalance oxidative state, and activate apoptosis in several cell lines. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of a new TiO
2
NP surface-functionalized with sodium carboxylic ligands in a murine fibroblast cell line (LA-9). TEM and DLS analyses were performed to define nanoparticle physicochemical characteristics. We evaluated the metabolic activity and LDH released after 24 h exposition to determine cytotoxic effects. Also, we evaluated DNA damage, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and apoptosis induction after 24 h exposure. The TiO
2
NP impaired the cell membrane integrity at 1000 μg/mL, induced intracellular ROS production and late apoptosis at 24 h. The genotoxic effects were observed at all conditions tested at 24 h. Indeed, in fibroblasts exposed at 100 μg/mL was observed early apoptosis cells. The intracellular ROS content was increased in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, short-term exposure to TiO
2
NP promoted cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and activated apoptosis pathways based on the potential role of oxygen species in the fibroblasts cell line.