Project description:Titanium dioxide (TiO2) based nanomaterials (NMs) are among the most produced NMs worldwide. When irradiated with light, particularly UV, TiO2 is photoactive, a property that is explored for several purposes. There is an increasingly number of reports on the negative effects of photoactivated TiO2 to non-target organisms. We have here studied the effect of a suite of reference type TiO2 NMs i.e. NM103, NM104, NM105 and compared these to the Bulk) with and without UV radiation to the oligochaete Enchytraeus crypticus. High-throughput gene expression was used to assess the molecular mechanisms, while also anchoring it to known effects at organism level (i.e., reproduction). Results showed that the photoactivity of TiO2 (UV exposed) played a major role in enhancing TiO2 toxicity, activating transcription of oxidative stress, lysosome damage and apoptosis mechanisms. For non-UV activated TiO2, where toxicity at organism level (reproduction) was lower, results showed the potential for long-term effects (i.e., mutagenic and epigenetic). NM specific mechanisms were identified: NM103 affected transcription and translation, NM104_UV negatively affected reproductive system/organs; and NM105_UV activated superoxide anion response. Results provided mechanistic information for UV-related phototoxicity of TiO2 materials and evidences of the potential long-term effects.
Project description:Mechanisms of (photo)toxicity of TiO2 nanomaterials (NM103, NM104, NM105): using high-throughput gene expression in Enchytraeus crypticus
Project description:Negatives effects induced by exposure to ultra-violet (UV) radiation are well known. Nevertheless the modes of action of UV radiation are not well understood, in particular in soil invertebrates. In the present work, the effects of two UV doses (mimicking worst case scenarios in earth crust) on gene expression profile of Enchytraeus crypticus (Enchytraeidae, Oligochaeta) were investigated using the high-throughput 4 x 44K microarray developed for the species.
Project description:Exposure to different copper forms – nanoparticles, nanowires, salt and field aged: gene expression profiling in Enchytraeus crypticus
Project description:The effect of nanomaterials (NMs) is less understood in light of the implemented and existing methodologies for regular chemicals. To understand the mode of action of NMs is one of the alternatives to improve predictions and environmental risk assessment (ERA). In the present work the high-throughput gene expression tool (4x44K microarray for Enchytraeus crypticus) was used to investigate the mechanisms activated by Ni exposure. Ni nanoparticles (Ni-NPs) were investigated together with Ni-salt (NiNO3). Testing was done based on reproduction effect concentrations (EC20, EC50) using 3 and 7 days exposure periods.
Project description:Today, nanoparticles are used in various commercial products. One of the most common nanoparticles is titanium dioxide (TiO2). It has a catalytic activity and UV absorption (λ<400 nm), and it generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). The catalytic activity of TiO2 nanoparticle is capable of killing a wide range of microorganisms. In the environment, nanoparticles form structures consisting of primary particles, and their aggregates and agglomerates. These compounds are defined NOAA (nano-objects, and their aggregates and agglomerates greater than 100 nm). The unique properties of TiO2 nanoparticles can be maintained in the environment, thus, the growing use of TiO2 nanoparticles is raising concerns about the environmental risks. The assessment of biological and ecological effects of TiO2-NOAA is necessary. In our previous study, we assessed the effect of TiO2-NOAA on microbes by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli. It was shown that TiO2-NOAA decomposed methylene blue under UV irradiation. It suggested that TiO2-NOAA generated ROS under UV irradiation. However, TiO2-NOAA did not show growth inhibition in minimal agar medium under UV irradiation. By adding TiO2-NOAA in medium, colony formation was observed with UV intensity that inactivates microbes. Moreover, TiO2-NOAA adsorbed microbes. These results suggested that the amount of ROS generated by TiO2-NOAA was not enough to inactivate microbes, and TiO2-NOAA might protect microbes from UV. In this study, we assessed the effect of TiO2-NOAA in more detail by using S. cerevisiae. We used DNA microarray analysis for qualitative assessment. Further, we carried out quantitative assessment by using Real Time RT-PCR method for characteristic genes in DNA microarray analysis. To compare yeast cells in various conditions, six kinds of treatment conditions were prepared (Condition 1. adsorbed fraction to TiO2-NOAA under UV, 2. non-adsorbed fraction to TiO2-NOAA under UV, 3. adsorbed fraction to TiO2-NOAA without UV, 4. non-adsorbed fraction to TiO2-NOAA without UV, 5. irradiated UV and 6. negative control). From the result of DNA microarray analysis, the most number of genes was altered in Condition 1, followed by Condition 3 and 5. The genes related to oxidative stress, and the genes related to synthesis of trehalose and glycogen were significantly up-regulated of yeast cells in Condition 1 and 5, and Condition 1 and 3, respectively. These results suggest that yeast cells suffer oxidative stress by TiO2-NOAA under UV, and they also suffer membrane damage by TiO2-NOAA itself, as a result, they reserve energy sources. From the result of Real Time RT-PCR, genes related to oxidative stress (GRE2, SOD2) were up-regulated in Condition 1 and 3, however, these expression levels in each condition were not significant. And genes related to synthesis of trehalose and glycogen (GSY1, TPS2) were up-regulated in Condition 1 and 3. These results suggest that oxidative stress is caused not by TiO2-NOAA but by UV. It is also suggested that yeast cells were damaged at their membranes by TiO2-NOAA, as a result, genes related to synthesis of trehalose and glycogen were up-regulated. Thus, we suggest that the effect of TiO2-NOAA on yeast cells under UV irradiation is greater due to TiO2-NOAA itself than due to ROS generated by TiO2-NOAA.