[Effects of nanoscale titanium dioxide on intercellular gap junction communication in human lung fibroblasts].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of nanoscale titanium dioxide (Nano-TiO(2)) on gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) between human lung fibroblasts.


METHODS
Human lung fibroblasts were exposed to two different sizes Nano-TiO(2) (25 nm and 80 nm) for 24 hours at the concentrations of 0, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg/L, respectively. The GJIC between cells was measured by using fluorescence redistribution after photobleaching (FRAP) assay.


RESULTS
The results showed that GJIC between cells was significantly inhibited both by 25 nm and 80 nm Nano-TiO(2) in a dose-dependent manner. The fluorescence recovery rate was 20.81%+/-1.93% in control group, 7.26%+/-0.91% (P<0.05) in 25 nm 80 mg/L group and 9.94%+/-2.08% (P<0.05) in 80 nm 80 mg/L group. At the same concentration, the inhibitory effect of 25 nm Nano-TiO(2) on GJIC was slightly stronger than that of 80 nm Nano-TiO(2).


CONCLUSIONS
Nano-TiO(2) with different sizes can inhibit GJIC between human lung fibroblasts.
Qi
Kun
K
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, Peking University School of Public Health, Beijing 100191, China.
Deng
Fu-rong
FR
Guo
Xin-biao
XB
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D014025:Titanium / Q000633:toxicity*
D000393:Air Pollutants; C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium