Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are present at high levels in industrial and commercial products such as paints, cosmetics, and food. The resulting human exposure motivates interest in understanding how these NPs interact with cells. In the bloodstream, all NPs are exposed to blood serum proteins that adsorb onto the surface of the NP forming a protein “corona.” This protein layer mediates the interaction between the NP and the cell. Using gel electrophoresis and proteomic analysis, we first identified the corona of proteins adsorbed on TiO2 NPs and model carboxylate-modified polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs). We then incubated HeLa cells with each NP and serum proteins for 24 hrs. Using a PCR array to screen for changes in oxidative stress-related genes, we identified changes in the peroxiredoxin family of anti-oxidant enzymes for TiO2-treated cells. This contrasts with the insignificant change in peroxiredoxin levels found in response to PS NPs. Because corona composition remained similar in both NP types, we suggest oxidative stress-related changes are a direct result of the nanoparticle identity.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce oxidative stress

251st National Meeting (2016)

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