Toxicological Effects of Aluminum and Titanium Nanoparticle Exposure in C. Elegans

Overview

Nanoparticles, ranging in size from 1-100 nanometers, are potentially toxic to animals. Aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) have been linked to brain inflammation and dopaminergic neuron loss. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) can increase oxidative stress in the brain resulting in neurodegeneration. We used C. elegans as a model organism because their neurological system is mapped, they have an Insulin/IGF-1 Signaling (IIS) pathway that helps control inflammation, and there are relevant mutant strains. We investigated potential neurotoxic effects of Al2O3 NPs and inflammatory effects of Al2O3 and TiO2 NPs through the IIS pathway. Our hypotheses were that both Al2O3 and TiO2 NPs cause inflammation and that Al2O3 NP exposure would lead to dopaminergic neuron loss. Wildtype (WT) C. elegans were used in addition to two mutant strains for comparison. Daf-9 mutants are resistant to inflammation because of a mutation in the IIS pathway and cat-2 mutants are deficient in dopamine. An ethanol preference test was used to test the effect of Al2O3 NPs on dopaminergic neurons. Previous research shows that, following exposure to ethanol, WT C. elegans develop a preference for ethanol. Cat-2 mutants were used since they do not develop this preference to ethanol due to their dopamine deficiency. When exposed to 10 g/L Al2O3 NPs, WT worms had a preference index that was found to be statistically different from the control group (P<0.05) while the Al2O3-exposed C. elegans preference index was not statistically different than the cat-2 mutants (p>0.05). WT and daf-9 mutants were exposed to 1 g/L and 10 g/L of Al2O3 and TiO2 NPs. The eggs laid per nematode was measured and a lipid stain was used to observe differences in inflammation. The WT and daf-9 C. elegans exposed to 10 g/L Al2O3 or TiO2 NPs had laying rates that were statistically different from the non-exposed nematodes throughout the reproduction period (P<0.05). The WT and daf-9 C. elegans treated with 1 g/L Al2O3 and TiO2 NPs had more lipids than the control treatments. The daf-9 mutants had lower lipid levels than the WT for both control and experimental groups. This study suggests Al2O3 NPs could have neurodegenerative effects on the dopaminergic neurons of C. elegans, and that Al2O3 and TiO2 NPs cause inflammation in C. elegans. Al2O3 and TiO2 NPs are used increasingly in medicine, cosmetics, manufacturing, and food industries. These particles should be tested further due to possible neurodegenerative and inflammatory effects they may have on humans.

Competition history

• AJAS 2020 Category not listed

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