title: Effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on zebrafish embryos and developing retina.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the impact of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) on embryonic development and retinal neurogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The agglomeration and sedimentation of TiO2 NPs solutions at different dilutions were observed, and the ultraviolet-visible spectra of their supernatants were measured. Zebrafish embryos were experimentally exposed to TiO2 NPs until 72h postfertilization (hpf). The retinal neurogenesis and distribution of the microglia were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and whole mount in situ hybridization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 1 mg/L was determined to be an appropriate exposure dose. Embryos exposed to TiO2 NPs had a normal phenotype. The neurogenesis was initiated on time, and ganglion cells, cones and rods were well differentiated at 72 hpf. The expression of fms mRNA and the 4C4 antibody, which were specific to microglia in the central nervous system (CNS), closely resembled their endogenous profile.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data demonstrate that short-term exposure to TiO2 NPs at a low dose does not lead to delayed embryonic development or retinal neurotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenviroment and Neurovascular Regulation, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Ya-Jie
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenviroment and Neurovascular Regulation, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Zi-Zi
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenviroment and Neurovascular Regulation, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Yang-Wu
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenviroment and Neurovascular Regulation, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Ya-Nan
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenviroment and Neurovascular Regulation, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Guan-Qun
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenviroment and Neurovascular Regulation, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Yong-Qiang
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenviroment and Neurovascular Regulation, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Zhuo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenviroment and Neurovascular Regulation, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Hao
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Li
keywords: microglia; retina; titanium dioxide nanoparticles; zebrafish