title: Analysis of the activation routes induced by different metal oxide nanoparticles on human lung epithelial cells.
abstract: Nanoparticles (Nps) can induce toxicity in the lung by accidental or intentional exposure. The main objective of the study reported here was to characterize the effect that four metal oxide Nps (CeO2, TiO2, Al2O3and ZnO) had at the cellular level on a human lung epithelial cell line. This goal was achieved by studying the capacity of the Nps to activate the main mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and the nuclear factor NFκB. Only ZnO Nps were able to activate all of the MAPKs and the release of Zn2+ions was the main cause of activation. ZnO and Al2O3Nps activated the NFκB pathway and induced the release of inflammatory cytokines. CeO2and TiO2Nps were found to have safer profiles. The graphical abstract was obtained using Servier Medical Art.
authors.affiliation: Immunology, Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO) & Institute of Biomedical Research of Orense, Pontevedra and Vigo (IBI), University of Vigo, Campus Lagoas Marcosende, Vigo, Pontevedra, 36310 Spain.
authors.forename: Rosana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Simón-Vázquez
authors.affiliation: Immunology, Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO) & Institute of Biomedical Research of Orense, Pontevedra and Vigo (IBI), University of Vigo, Campus Lagoas Marcosende, Vigo, Pontevedra, 36310 Spain.
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lozano-Fernández
authors.affiliation: Immunology, Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO) & Institute of Biomedical Research of Orense, Pontevedra and Vigo (IBI), University of Vigo, Campus Lagoas Marcosende, Vigo, Pontevedra, 36310 Spain.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dávila-Grana
authors.affiliation: Immunology, Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO) & Institute of Biomedical Research of Orense, Pontevedra and Vigo (IBI), University of Vigo, Campus Lagoas Marcosende, Vigo, Pontevedra, 36310 Spain.
authors.forename: África
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: González-Fernández
keywords: MAPK; NFκB; cytokines; inflammation; metal oxide nanoparticles