title: [Subcellular distribution and genotoxicity of silica nanoparticles in human bronchial epithelial cells].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Silicon nanoparticles are widely used in daily life. Therefore, they attract increased attention because of their potential biotoxicity to the lungs when inhaled. The aims of this study are to explore the organism distribution and genotoxicity of silica nanoparticles in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B).
  
  
  METHODS
  The biodistribution of silica with different particle sizes in human bronchial epithelial cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). DNA damage was detected by single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay).
  
  
  RESULTS
  TEM revealed that SiO₂ nanoparticles with different sizes can be uptaken by cells and be localized in the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Compared with micro-silica, nano-silica in BEAS-2B cells can inflict more severe DNA damage (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The particle size of silica nanoparticles can be used to determine their distribution in biological cells. Compared with micro-silica, nano-silica has higher genotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University/The Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650118, China.
authors.forename: Guangqiang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yunchao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Guangjian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Sen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yongchun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Yujie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: Xiaobo
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kaiyun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D001980:Bronchi / Q000166:cytology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004249:DNA Damage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009153:Mutagens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D009153:Mutagens; D012822:Silicon Dioxide