Analysis of the activation routes induced by different metal oxide nanoparticles on human lung epithelial cells

Rosana Simón-Vázquez; Tamara Lozano-Fernández; Angela Dávila-Grana; África González-Fernández

doi:10.4155/fso.16.2

Analysis of the activation routes induced by different metal oxide nanoparticles on human lung epithelial cells

Future Sci OA. 2016 Apr 15;2(2):FSO118. doi: 10.4155/fso.16.2. eCollection 2016 Jun.

Authors

Rosana Simón-Vázquez¹, Tamara Lozano-Fernández¹, Angela Dávila-Grana¹, África González-Fernández¹

Affiliation

¹ Immunology, Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO) & Institute of Biomedical Research of Orense, Pontevedra and Vigo (IBI), University of Vigo, Campus Lagoas Marcosende, Vigo, Pontevedra, 36310 Spain.

Abstract

Nanoparticles (Nps) can induce toxicity in the lung by accidental or intentional exposure. The main objective of the study reported here was to characterize the effect that four metal oxide Nps (CeO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃ and ZnO) had at the cellular level on a human lung epithelial cell line. This goal was achieved by studying the capacity of the Nps to activate the main mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and the nuclear factor NFκB. Only ZnO Nps were able to activate all of the MAPKs and the release of Zn²⁺ ions was the main cause of activation. ZnO and Al₂O₃ Nps activated the NFκB pathway and induced the release of inflammatory cytokines. CeO₂ and TiO₂ Nps were found to have safer profiles. The graphical abstract was obtained using Servier Medical Art.

Keywords: MAPK; NFκB; cytokines; inflammation; metal oxide nanoparticles.