Effect of Polyethylene Glycol Modification of TiO2 Nanoparticles on Cytotoxicity and Gene Expressions in Human Cell Lines

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) are tiny materials used in a wide range of industrial and medical applications. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a type of nanoparticle that is widely used in paints, pigments, and cosmetics; however, little is known about the impact of TiO2 on human health and the environment. Therefore, considerable research has focused on characterizing the potential toxicity of nanoparticles such as TiO2 and on understanding the mechanism of TiO2 NP-induced nanotoxicity through the evaluation of biomarkers. Uncoated TiO2 NPs tend to aggregate in aqueous media, and these aggregates decrease cell viability and induce expression of stress-related genes, such as those encoding interleukin-6 (IL-6) and heat shock protein 70B’ (HSP70B’), indicating that TiO2 NPs induce inflammatory and heat shock responses. In order to reduce their toxicity, we conjugated TiO2 NPs with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to eliminate aggregation. Our findings indicate that modifying TiO2 NPs with PEG reduces their cytotoxicity and reduces the induction of stress-related genes. Our results also suggest that TiO2 NP-induced effects on cytotoxicity and gene expression vary depending upon the cell type and surface modification.

Effects of Toll-like Receptors 3 and 4 Induced by Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in DNA Damage-Detecting Sensor Cells

“…Coating nanomaterials with PEG also increases ReticuloEndothelial System (RES) [21]. We have already shown that PEGylation of TiO 2 NPs reduces cytotoxity and inflammatory response [22]. The results suggested that PEGylation of TiO 2 NPs could reduce many cellular responses.…”

Hepatotoxicity assessment of Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots after repeated administration in mice

“…Modifying the surface of nanoparticles with PEG not only prevents agglomeration but also renders nanoparticles resistant to protein adsorption and increases the in vivo circulation time and biocompatibility. 22 Ju et al 23 inferred that the low toxicity of PEG-coated QDs was due to PEG coating, which can inhibit reactive oxygen species generation on the surface of QDs. Our result also demonstrated that PEG could relieve the hepatotoxicity of ZnO QDs induced by oxidative stress.…”

Inkjet Printing of Titanium Dioxide Photoanodes for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

“…This is primarily accomplished by modifying the pH in the surrounding bulk fluid [27]. A second approach to promote stability is to coat the particles with neutral or electrostatically repulsive materials [25]. The coating approach may be pursued in applications where the suspension must have a neutral pH or if the suspension requires a pH that falls within a range that does not promote dispersion stability.…”

“…Lebrette et al measured ζ-potentials greater in magnitude than -40mV for pH values greater than 7.5 and less than 2.5 [29]. TiO 2 powders with IEPs shifted to lower, acidic pH values have also been studied and show a corresponding shift down of the region of pH instability [25,30].…”