1
|
Cheng Y, Zhang Y, Wang C, Zhao W, Huang C, Zhang Z, Sheng L, Song F, Cao Y. Effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and halloysite nanotubes on plasma lipid profiles and autophagic lipolysis pathways in mouse aortas and hearts. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:4431-4446. [PMID: 38856197 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are widely used tubular-structured nanomaterials (NMs), but their cardiovascular effects are not clear. This study compared the effects of MWCNTs and HNTs on lipid profiles in mouse plasma and gene expression profiles in aortas and hearts. Mice were intravenously injected with 50 μg NMs, once a day, for 5 days. Then, the plasma was collected for lipidomics analysis, and aortas and hearts were collected for RNA-sequencing analysis. While MWCNTs or HNTs did not induce obvious pathological changes in aortas or hearts, the lipid profiles in mouse plasma were altered. Further analysis revealed that MWCNTs more effectively upregulated sphingolipids and sterol lipids, whereas HNTs more effectively upregulated glycerophospholipids and fatty acyls. Consistently, RNA-sequencing data indicated that MWCNTs and HNTs altered signaling pathways related with lipid synthesis and metabolism, as well as those related with endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes and autophagy, more significantly in aortas than in hearts. We further verified the changes of proteins involved in autophagic lipolysis, that MWCNTs were more effectively to suppress the autophagic biomarker LC3, whereas HNTs were more effectively to affect lipid metabolism proteins. These results may provide novel understanding about the influences of MWCNTs and HNTs on lipid profiles and lipid signaling pathways in cardiovascular systems. Importantly, previous studies considered HNTs as biocompatible materials, but the results from this study suggested that both MWCNTs and HNTs were capable to affect lipid profiles and autophagic lipolysis pathways in cardiovascular systems, although their exact influences were different.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Cheng
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yimin Zhang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Canyang Wang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Weichao Zhao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Chaobo Huang
- College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University (NFU), Nanjing, China
| | - Zelin Zhang
- National Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for New Petro-chemical Materials and Fine Utilization of Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Liping Sheng
- National Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for New Petro-chemical Materials and Fine Utilization of Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Fengmei Song
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wu W, Zhao W, Huang C, Cao Y. Comparison of developmental toxicity of graphene oxide and graphdiyne to zebrafish larvae. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 281:109924. [PMID: 38615809 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Graphdiyne (GDY) is a new member of family of carbon-based 2D nanomaterials (NMs), but the environmental toxicity is less investigated compared with other 2D NMs, such as graphene oxide (GO). In this study, we compared with developmental toxicity of GO and GDY to zebrafish larvae. It was shown that exposure of zebrafish embryos from 5 h post fertilization to GO and GDY for up to 5 days decreased hatching rate and induced morphological deformity. Behavioral tests indicated that GO and GDY treatment led to hyperactivity of larvae. However, blood flow velocity was not significantly affected by GO or GDY. RNA-sequencing data revealed that both types of NMs altered gene expression profiles as well as gene ontology terms and KEGG pathways related with metabolism. We further confirmed that the NMs altered the expression of genes related with lipid droplets and autophagy, which may be account for the delayed development of zebrafish larvae. At the same mass concentrations, GO induced comparable or even larger toxic effects compared with GDY, indicating that GDY might be more biocompatible compared with GO. These results may provide novel understanding about the environmental toxicity of GO and GDY in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wanyan Wu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Weichao Zhao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
| | - Chaobo Huang
- College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University (NFU), Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang Y, Cheng Y, Zhao W, Song F, Cao Y. Effects of Halloysite Nanotubes and Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes on Kruppel-like Factor 15-Mediated Downstream Events in Mouse Hearts After Intravenous Injection. Cardiovasc Toxicol 2024; 24:408-421. [PMID: 38411850 DOI: 10.1007/s12012-024-09844-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are nanomaterials (NMs) derived from natural clays and have been considered as biocompatible NMs for biomedical uses. However, the cardiovascular toxicity of HNTs has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we compared the cardiotoxicity of HNTs and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), focusing on the changes in Kruppel-like factor (KLF)-mediated signaling pathways. Mice were intravenously injected with 50 µg NMs, once a day, for 5 days, and then mouse hearts were removed for experiments. While HNTs or MWCNTs did not induce obvious pathological changes, RNA-sequencing data suggested the alterations of KLF gene expression. We further confirmed an increase of Klf15 positive cells, accompanied by changes in Klf15-related gene ontology (GO) terms. We noticed that most of the changed GO terms are related with the regulation of gene expression, and we confirmed that the NMs increased myoneurin (Mynn) but decreased snail family transcriptional repressor 1 (Snai1), two transcription factors (TFs) related with Klf15. Besides, the changed GO terms also include metal ion binding and positive regulation of glucose import, and we verified an increase of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (Pck1) and insulin receptor (Insr). However, HNTs and MWCNTs only showed minimal impact on cell death signaling pathways, and no increase in apoptotic sites was observed after NM treatment. We concluded that intravenous administration of HNTs and MWCNTs activated a protective TF, namely Klf15 in mouse aortas, to alter gene expression and signaling pathways related with metal ion binding and glucose import.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Zhang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Yujia Cheng
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Weichao Zhao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Fengmei Song
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China.
| | - Yi Cao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wei L, Liu T, Liu J, Lin Y, Cao Y. Exposure of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to graphene oxide for 6 months suppressed NOD-like receptor-regulated anti-virus signaling pathways. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2023; 38:2560-2573. [PMID: 37449708 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Environmental exposure to graphene oxide (GO) is likely to happen due to the use and disposal of these materials. Although GO-induced ecological toxicity has been evaluated before by using aquatic models such as zebrafish, previous studies typically focused on the short-term toxicity, whereas this study aimed to investigate the long-term toxicity. To this end, we exposed zebrafish to GO for 6 months, and used RNA-sequencing to reveal the changes of signaling pathways. While GO exposure showed no significant effects on locomotor activities, it induced histological changes in livers. RNA-sequencing data showed that GO altered gene expression profiles, resulting in 82 up-regulated and 275 down-regulated genes, respectively. Through the analysis of gene ontology terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, we found that GO suppressed the signaling pathways related with immune systems. We further verified that GO exposure suppressed the expression of genes involved in anti-virus responses possibly through the inhibition of genes involved in NOD-like receptor signaling pathway. Furthermore, NOD-like receptor-regulated lipid genes were also inhibited, which may consequently lead to decreased lipid staining in fish muscles. We concluded that 6 month-exposure to GO suppressed NOD-like receptor-regulated anti-virus signaling pathways in zebrafish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lianghuan Wei
- Xinjiang Biomass Solid Waste Resources Technology and Engineering Center, College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Kashgar University, Xinjiang, China
| | - Tingna Liu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Jincheng Liu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yingchao Lin
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Biomass Resource Utilization, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Xiao Y, He Y, Xu C, Li M, Hu F, Wang W, Wang Z, Cao Y. Exposure to MoS2 nanosheets or bulk activated Kruppel-like factor 4 in 3D Caco-2 spheroids in vitro and mouse intestines in vivo. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2023. [PMID: 37186336 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
MoS2 nanosheets (NSs) are novel 2D nanomaterials (NMs) being used in many important fields. Recently, we proposed the need to evaluate the influences of NMs on Kruppel-like factors (KLFs) even if these materials are relatively biocompatible. In this study, we investigated the influences of MoS2 NSs or bulk on KLF4 signaling pathway in 3D Caco-2 spheroids in vitro and mouse intestines in vivo. Through the analysis of our previous RNA-sequencing data, we found that exposure to MoS2 NSs or bulk activated KLF4 expression in 3D Caco-2 spheroids. Consistently, these materials also activated KLF4-related gene ontology (GO) terms and down-regulated a panel of KLF4-downstream genes. To verify these findings, we repeatedly exposed mice to MoS2 NSs or bulk materials via intragastrical administration (1 mg/kg bodyweight, once a day, for 4 days). It was shown that oral exposure to these materials decreased bodyweight, leading to relatively higher organ coefficients. As expected, exposure to both types of materials increased Mo elements as well as other trace elements, such as Zn, Fe, and Mn in mouse intestines. The exposure also induced morphological changes of intestines, such as shortening of intestinal villi and decreased crypt depth, which may result in decreased intestinal lipid staining. Consistent with RNA-sequencing data, we found that material exposure increased KLF4 protein staining in mouse intestines and decreased two KLF4 downstream proteins, namely extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and serine/threonine kinase (AKT). We concluded that MoS2 materials were capable to activate KLF4-signaling pathway in intestines both in vivo and in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- You Xiao
- Fifth Department of Anorectal, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Yuanyuan He
- Graduate School of Hunan University, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Chongsi Xu
- Fifth Department of Anorectal, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Mei Li
- Fifth Department of Anorectal, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Fan Hu
- Fifth Department of Anorectal, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Fifth Department of Anorectal, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Zhenquan Wang
- Third Department of Anorectal, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Repar N, Jovičić EJ, Kump A, Birarda G, Vaccari L, Erman A, Kralj S, Nemec S, Petan T, Drobne D. Oleic Acid Protects Endothelial Cells from Silica-Coated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs)-Induced Oxidative Stress and Cell Death. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23136972. [PMID: 35806014 PMCID: PMC9267005 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23136972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have great potential for use in medicine, but they may cause side effects due to oxidative stress. In our study, we investigated the effects of silica-coated SPIONs on endothelial cells and whether oleic acid (OA) can protect the cells from their harmful effects. We used viability assays, flow cytometry, infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Our results show that silica-coated SPIONs are internalized by endothelial cells, where they increase the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cause cell death. Exposure to silica-coated SPIONs induced accumulation of lipid droplets (LD) that was not dependent on diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT)-mediated LD biogenesis, suggesting that silica-coated SPIONs suppress LD degradation. Addition of exogenous OA promoted LD biogenesis and reduced SPION-dependent increases in oxidative stress and cell death. However, exogenous OA protected cells from SPION-induced cell damage even in the presence of DGAT inhibitors, implying that LDs are not required for the protective effect of exogenous OA. The molecular phenotype of the cells determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the destructive effect of silica-coated SPIONs and the ameliorative role of OA in the case of oxidative stress. Thus, exogenous OA protects endothelial cells from SPION-induced oxidative stress and cell death independent of its incorporation into triglycerides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neža Repar
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence: (N.R.); (D.D.)
| | - Eva Jarc Jovičić
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (E.J.J.); (A.K.); (T.P.)
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ana Kump
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (E.J.J.); (A.K.); (T.P.)
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.B.); (L.V.)
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.B.); (L.V.)
| | - Andreja Erman
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Slavko Kralj
- Department for Materials Synthesis, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.K.); (S.N.)
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sebastjan Nemec
- Department for Materials Synthesis, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.K.); (S.N.)
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Toni Petan
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (E.J.J.); (A.K.); (T.P.)
| | - Damjana Drobne
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence: (N.R.); (D.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li S, Yan D, Huang C, Yang F, Cao Y. TiO 2 nanosheets promote the transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells into foam cells in vitro and in vivo through the up-regulation of nuclear factor kappa B subunit 2. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127704. [PMID: 34799167 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanomaterials have been shown to promote atherosclerosis through endothelial dysfunction. This study investigated the toxicity of TiO2 nanosheets (NSs) to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), one of the pivotal cells involved in all stages of atherosclerosis. Only a high concentration of TiO2 NSs (128 μg/mL) modestly induced cytotoxicity by decreasing thiols. RNA-sequencing data revealed that 64 μg/mL TiO2 NSs significantly down-regulated 94 genes and up-regulated 174 genes, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways related to SMC function and lipid metabolism were altered. TiO2 NSs increased nuclear factor kappa B subunit 2 (NFKB2), which led to a decrease in VSMC marker actin alpha 2, smooth muscle (ACTA2). On the other hand, macrophage marker CD36 and fatty acid synthase (FASN) proteins were increased. Additionally, TiO2 NSs induced inflammatory cytokines and lipid accumulation, and these effects were curtailed by NFKB inhibitor - triptolide. Furthermore, repeated TiO2 NS injection (5 mg/kg BW, once a day for 5 continuous days) into ICR mice led to increased NFKB2, CD36 and FASN, with a decreased ACTA2. Our results suggested that TiO2 NSs promoted the transformation of VSMCs into foam cells through the up-regulation of NFKB2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China; College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University (NFU), Nanjing 210037, China; Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Biochemistry, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China
| | - Dejian Yan
- Institute of Advanced Materials, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Chaobo Huang
- College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University (NFU), Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Fei Yang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China; Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Biochemistry, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Xie M, Huang C, Liang Y, Li S, Sheng L, Cao Y. MoS2 nanosheets and bulk materials altered lipid profiles in 3D Caco-2 spheroids. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2021.06.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
|
9
|
Luo Y, Li J, Huang C, Wang X, Long D, Cao Y. Graphene oxide links alterations of anti-viral signaling pathways with lipid metabolism via suppressing TLR3 in vascular smooth muscle cells. Mol Omics 2022; 18:779-790. [DOI: 10.1039/d2mo00086e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the main cells constructing blood vessels, are important in the regulation of the pathophysiology of vascular systems; however, relatively few studies have investigated the influence of nanomaterials (NMs) on VSMCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingmei Luo
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University (NFU), Nanjing 210037, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Biochemistry, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Juan Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Biochemistry, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Chaobo Huang
- College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University (NFU), Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China
| | - Dingxin Long
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Biochemistry, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Pei L, Yang W, Cao Y. Influences of Unmodified and Carboxylated Carbon Nanotubes on Lipid Profiles in THP-1 Macrophages: A Lipidomics Study. Int J Toxicol 2021; 41:16-25. [PMID: 34886715 DOI: 10.1177/10915818211056633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Since the possible roles of surface modifications in determining multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-promoted endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated lipid-laden macrophage foam cell formation are still in debate, we compared unmodified and carboxylated MWCNT-induced cytotoxicity, lipid profile changes, and expression of ER stress genes in THP-1 macrophages. Particularly, we focused on lipid profile changes by using lipidomics approaches. We found that unmodified and carboxylated MWCNTs significantly decreased cellular viability and appeared to damage the cellular membrane to a similar extent. Likewise, the results from Oil Red O staining showed that both types of MWCNTs slightly but significantly induced lipid accumulation. In keeping with Oil Red O staining results, lipidomics data showed that both types of MWCNTs up-regulated most of the lipid classes. Interestingly, almost all lipid classes were relatively higher in carboxylated MWCNT-exposed THP-1 macrophages compared with unmodified MWCNT-exposed cells, indicating that carboxylated MWCNTs more effectively changed lipid profiles. But in contrast to our expectation, none of the MWCNTs significantly induced the expression of ER stress genes. Even, compared with carboxylated MWCNTs, unmodified MWCNTs induced higher expression of lipid genes, including macrophage scavenger receptor 1 and fatty acid synthase. Combined, our results suggested that even though carboxylation did not significantly affect MWCNT-induced lipid accumulation, carboxylated MWCNTs were more potent to alter lipid profiles in THP-1 macrophages, indicating the need to use omics techniques to understand the exact nanotoxicological effects of MWCNTs. However, the differential effects of unmodified and carboxylated MWCNTs on lipid profiles might not be related with the induction of ER stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lanjie Pei
- 498598Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China.,498598Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenxiang Yang
- 498598Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China.,498598Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhang W, Xu L, Zhu L, Liu Y, Yang S, Zhao M. Lipid Droplets, the Central Hub Integrating Cell Metabolism and the Immune System. Front Physiol 2021; 12:746749. [PMID: 34925055 PMCID: PMC8678573 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.746749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid droplets (LDs) are commonly found in various biological cells and are organelles related to cell metabolism. LDs, the number and size of which are heterogeneous across cell type, are primarily composed of polar lipids and proteins on the surface with neutral lipids in the core. Neutral lipids stored in LDs can be degraded by lipolysis and lipophagocytosis, which are regulated by various proteins. The process of LD formation can be summarized in four steps. In addition to energy production, LDs play an extremely pivotal role in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, such as endoplasmic reticulum stress, lipid toxicity, storage of fat-soluble vitamins, regulation of oxidative stress, and reprogramming of cell metabolism. Interestingly, LDs, the hub of integration between metabolism and the immune system, are involved in antitumor immunity, anti-infective immunity (viruses, bacteria, parasites, etc.) and some metabolic immune diseases. Herein, we summarize the role of LDs in several major immune cells as elucidated in recent years, including T cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, mast cells, and neutrophils. Additionally, we analyze the role of the interaction between LDs and immune cells in two typical metabolic immune diseases: atherosclerosis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Linyong Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ling Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yifan Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Siwei Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mingyi Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Luo Y, Wang X, Cao Y. Transcriptomic-based toxicological investigations of graphene oxide with modest cytotoxicity to human umbilical vein endothelial cells: changes of Toll-like receptor signaling pathways. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2021; 10:1104-1115. [PMID: 34956614 PMCID: PMC8692726 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfab091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The wide uses of graphene oxide (GO) lead to the contact of GO with vascular systems, so it is necessary to investigate the toxicological effects of GO to endothelial cells. Recently, we reported that GO of small lateral size (<500 nm) was relatively biocompatible to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), but recent studies by using omics-techniques revealed that nanomaterials (NMs) even without acute cytotoxicity might induce other toxicological effects. This study investigated the effects of GO on HUVECs based on RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Even after exposure to 100 μg/ml GO, the cellular viability of HUVECs was higher than 70%. Furthermore, 25 μg/ml GO was internalized but did not induce ultrastructural changes or intracellular superoxide. These results combined indicated GO's relatively high biocompatibility. However, by analyzing the most significantly altered Gene Ontology terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes pathways, we found that 25 μg/ml GO altered pathways related to immune systems' functions and the responses to virus. We further verified that GO exposure significantly decreased Toll-like receptor 3 and interleukin 8 proteins, indicating an immune suppressive effect. However, THP-1 monocyte adhesion was induced by GO with or without the presence of inflammatory stimulus lipopolysaccharide. We concluded that GO might inhibit the immune responses to virus in endothelial cells at least partially mediated by the inhibition of TLR3. Our results also highlighted a need to investigate the toxicological effects of NMs even without acute cytotoxicity by omics-based techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingmei Luo
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Biochemistry, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Allen PE, Noland RC, Martinez JJ. Rickettsia conorii survival in THP-1 macrophages involves host lipid droplet alterations and active rickettsial protein production. Cell Microbiol 2021; 23:e13390. [PMID: 34464019 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsia conorii is a Gram-negative, cytosolic intracellular bacterium that has classically been investigated in terms of endothelial cell infection. However, R. conorii and other human pathogenic Rickettsia species have evolved mechanisms to grow in various cell types, including macrophages, during mammalian infection. During infection of these phagocytes, R. conorii shifts the host cell's overall metabolism towards an anti-inflammatory M2 response, metabolically defined by an increase in host lipid metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation. Lipid metabolism has more recently been identified as a key regulator of host homeostasis through modulation of immune signalling and metabolism. Intracellular pathogens have adapted mechanisms of hijacking host metabolic pathways including host lipid catabolic pathways for various functions required for growth and survival. In the present study, we hypothesised that alterations of host lipid droplets initiated by lipid catabolic pathways during R. conorii infection is important for bacterial survival in macrophages. Herein, we determined that host lipid droplet modulation is initiated early during R. conorii infection, and these alterations rely on active bacteria and lipid catabolic pathways. We also find that these lipid catabolic pathways are essential for efficient bacterial survival. Unlike the mechanisms used by other intracellular pathogens, the catabolism of lipid droplets induced by R. conorii infection is independent of upstream host peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) signalling. Inhibition of PPARɣ signalling and lipid droplet accumulation in host cells cause a significant decrease in R. conorii survival suggesting a negative correlation with lipid droplet production and R. conorii survival. Together, these results strongly suggest that the modulation of lipid droplets in macrophage cells infected by R. conorii is an important and underappreciated aspect of the infection process. TAKE AWAYS: Host lipid droplets are differentially altered in early and replicative stages of THP-1 macrophage infection with R. conorii. Lipid droplet alterations are initiated in a bacterial-dependent manner and do not require host peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α or ɣ activation. Pharmacological inhibition of host lipid catabolic processes during R. conorii infection indicates a requirement of lipid catabolism for bacterial survival and initiation of lipid droplet modulation. A significant increase in host lipid droplets during infection has a negative impact on R. conorii survival in THP-1 macrophages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paige E Allen
- Vector Borne Disease Laboratories, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Robert C Noland
- Skeletal Muscle Metabolism Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Juan J Martinez
- Vector Borne Disease Laboratories, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Liu Y, Hu Q, Huang C, Cao Y. Comparison of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and halloysite nanotubes on lipid profiles in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. NANOIMPACT 2021; 23:100333. [PMID: 35559834 DOI: 10.1016/j.impact.2021.100333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Tubular nanomaterials (NMs), such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), may be used in biomedicine, but previous studies showed that MWCNTs induced toxicity to endothelial cells (ECs). However, the influence of tubular NMs on EC lipid profiles has gained little attention, probably because ECs are not traditionally considered to be involved in regulating lipid homeostasis. This study compared the different effects of MWCNTs and HNTs on lipid profile changes in human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs). The results showed that MWCNTs but not HNTs of the same mass concentrations induced cytotoxicity, ultrastuctural changes and intracellular thiol depletion. Meanwhile, only MWCNTs promoted lipid accumulation due to the induction of ER stress leading to up-regulation of fatty acid synthase (FASN). Interestingly, lipidomics results showed that the main lipid classes induced by MWCNTs but not HNTs were ceramide (Cer) and phosphatidylinositol (PI), with most of the lipid classes unaltered or even decreased after NM exposure. Then, extra Cer and PI were added to explore the implications of increase of these lipids. Adding Cer promoted the cytotoxicity of MWCNTs to HUVECs, indicating the lipotoxic role of Cer. Whereas adding PI partially increased intracellular NO and decreased interleukin-6 (IL-6) release due to MWCNT exposure, indicating the signaling role of PI. These results indicated novel roles of lipid dysfunction in NM-induced toxicity to ECs, even though ECs are not the professional cells for controlling lipid homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Liu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China; College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University (NFU), Nanjing 210037, China; Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Biochemistry, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Qilan Hu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China; College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University (NFU), Nanjing 210037, China; Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Biochemistry, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Chaobo Huang
- College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University (NFU), Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China; Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Biochemistry, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Cao Y. Potential roles of Kruppel-like factors in mediating adverse vascular effects of nanomaterials: A review. J Appl Toxicol 2021; 42:4-16. [PMID: 33837572 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The development of nanotechnology leads to the exposure of human beings to nanomaterials (NMs), and there is a health concern about the adverse vascular effects of NMs. Current data from epidemiology, controlled human exposure, and animal studies suggested that exposure to NMs could induce cardiopulmonary effects. In support of in vivo findings, in vitro studies showed that direct contact of vascular cells with NMs could induce endothelial cell (EC) activation and promote macrophage foam cell formation, although only limited studies showed that NMs could damage vascular smooth muscle cells and promote their phenotypic switch. It has been proposed that NMs induced adverse vascular effects via different mechanisms, but it is still necessary to understand the upstream events. Kruppel-like factors (KLFs) are a set of C2H2 zinc finger transcription factors (TFs) that can regulate various aspects of vascular biology, but currently, the roles of KLF2 in mediating the adverse vascular effects of NMs have gained little attention by toxicologists. This review summarized current knowledge about the adverse vascular effects of NMs and proposed the potential roles of KLFs in mediating these effects based on available data from toxicological studies as well as the current understanding about KLFs in vascular biology. Finally, the challenges in investigating the role of KLFs in vascular toxicology were also summarized. Considering the important roles of KLFs in vascular biology, further studies are needed to understand the influence of NMs on KLFs and the downstream events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Cao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Teng W, Yang Z, Wang S, Xiong D, Chen Y, Wu Z. Toxicity evaluation of mesoporous silica particles Santa Barbara No. 15 amorphous in human umbilical vein endothelial cells: influence of particle morphology. J Appl Toxicol 2021; 41:1467-1478. [DOI: 10.1002/jat.4137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|
17
|
Jiang Y, Gong H, Jiang S, She C, Cao Y. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes decrease neuronal NO synthase in 3D brain organoids. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 748:141384. [PMID: 32823226 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) might induce the dysfunction of neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) and impair the function of brains. But to the best of our knowledge, this conclusion was made by using laboratory animals or conventional nerve cell cultures; however, these models might not reflect the complex conditions of human brains. Recently, the development of 3D brain organoids (also known as organotypic cultures) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provides a platform to investigate the behaviors of human brains in vitro. In this study, we investigated the toxicity of MWCNTs to 3D brain organoids which expressed the cortical layer markers. It was shown that MWCNTs induced cytotoxicity to 3D brain organoids but not in dose-dependent manner. Exposure to high level of MWCNTs (64 μg/mL) reduced the levels of intracellular NO but increased superoxide. As the mechanism, 64 μg/mL MWCNTs significantly reduced the protein level of nNOS. The nNOS regulators nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) proteins were significantly induced by MWCNTs, whereas Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) proteins were reduced particularly after exposure to low level of MWCNTs (16 μg/mL). The results from fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography (MOST) confirmed the decrease of nNOS proteins, not only at the out-layers that directly contacted MWCNTs, but also at the inner-layers. Combined, our results suggested that MWCNTs could decrease nNOS activity by inducing oxidative stress and modulating NF-κB-KLF4 pathway. This study also showed the potential of 3D brain organoids in mechanism-based toxicology studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Research and Utilization of Ethnomedicinal Plant Resources of Hunan Province and Key Laboratory of Hunan Higher Education for Western Hunan Medicinal Plant and Ethnobotany, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418008, China; Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, Lab of Biochemistry, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China
| | - Housheng Gong
- Key Laboratory of Research and Utilization of Ethnomedicinal Plant Resources of Hunan Province and Key Laboratory of Hunan Higher Education for Western Hunan Medicinal Plant and Ethnobotany, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418008, China; Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, Lab of Biochemistry, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China
| | - Shaohua Jiang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Chaowen She
- Key Laboratory of Research and Utilization of Ethnomedicinal Plant Resources of Hunan Province and Key Laboratory of Hunan Higher Education for Western Hunan Medicinal Plant and Ethnobotany, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418008, China.
| | - Yi Cao
- Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, Lab of Biochemistry, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Cheng X, Guo H, Xian Y, Xie X. Changes of lipid profiles in human umbilical vein endothelial cells exposed to zirconia nanoparticles with or without the presence of free fatty acids. J Appl Toxicol 2020; 41:765-774. [PMID: 33222186 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangjun Cheng
- Department of Orthopaedics The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University Chongqing People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Guo
- Testing Department Chongqing Institute of Forensic Science Chongqing People's Republic of China
| | - Youqi Xian
- Application Department Thermo Fisher Scientific Chengdu People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowei Xie
- Department of Orthopaedics The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University Chongqing People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Luo Y, Wang X, Cao Y. Transcriptomic analysis suggested the involvement of impaired lipid droplet biogenesis in graphene oxide-induced cytotoxicity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Chem Biol Interact 2020; 333:109325. [PMID: 33221320 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2020.109325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies revealed that direct contact with graphene oxide (GO) induced cytotoxic effects, but the importance of involvement of metabolic pathways, in particular lipid metabolism pathways, might be overlooked. In this study, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to GO with large size (denoted as GO-L) or small size (denoted as GO-S), and transcriptomics were used to understand the mechanisms of cytotoxicity of GO at systemic levels. It was shown that GO-L more significantly induced cytotoxicity compared with GO-S. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that compared with GO-S, GO-L had larger impact on gene ontology terms related with mitochondrial function as well as Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways related with cell death and growth. But GO-S showed greater influence on KEGG pathways related with lipid metabolism. Both types of GO showed minimal impact on oxidative stress but increased de novo lipogenesis protein fatty acid synthase (FASN). However, only GO-S significantly promoted acyl-CoA synthetase 3 (ACSL3), a key enzyme responsible for esterification of free fatty acids and lipid droplet biogenesis. Not surprisingly, GO-L but not GO-S impaired lipid droplet biogenesis, and increasing lipid levels by oleic acid or α-linolenic acid reduced the cytotoxicity of GO-L to HUVECs. Combined, the results from this study suggested that impaired lipid droplet biogenesis was involved in GO-induced cytotoxicity in HUVECs, and inducing lipid droplet biogenesis could prevent the cytotoxicity of GO.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingmei Luo
- Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Biochemistry, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Biochemistry, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China.
| |
Collapse
|