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Inhibition of the ROS-mediated cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of nano-TiO2 toward human keratinocyte cells by iron doping

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Abstract

Nano-TiO2 powders are widely used in sunscreen lotions as UV filters in combination with other substances. The activation of TiO2 by UV rays leads to the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS, e.g., hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen) which are potentially harmful. For this reason the TiO2 particles are generally coated with inert materials (e.g., silica or alumina) that inhibit such reactivity. Alternatively, the release of ROS may be inhibited by introducing in the TiO2 lattice doping elements. In the present study we report a new modification consisting in a wet impregnation of TiO2 with iron salts followed by a thermal treatment that results in an inhibition of the surface reactivity. The insertion of iron ions also gradually reduces the ability of photo-activated TiO2 to cleave DNA and proteins. At the same time, a clear inhibition of cyto- and geno-toxicity toward human (HaCaT) keratinocytes was observed. The data presented herein suggest the insertion of Fe3+ ions at the surface of nano-TiO2 as a promising strategy to reduce the photo-induced toxicity of nano-TiO2 powders.

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Acknowledgment

This research has been carried out with the financial support of the University of Torino (Progetti di Ricerca finanziati ex 60 %- 2012) project title: “Integrated chemical tests for the evaluation of the oxidative potential of nanopowders” and by Regione Piemonte (Progetti di Ricerca Sanitaria Finalizzata 2009, project title ‘‘Inattivazione di polveri nanometriche di TiO2 per la prevenzione di patologie legate alla loro esposizione lavorativa ed ambientale’’). This work was also supported by the Work program Action 15024: Nanobiotechnologies of DG Joint Research Centre.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Chimica, Interdepartmental Center for Nanostructured Interfaces and Surfaces (NIS) and “G. Scansetti” Interdepartmental Center, University of Torino, Via P. Giuria 7, 10125, Torino, Italy

    Mara Ghiazza, Stefano Livraghi & Ivana Fenoglio

  2. European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, (EC-JRC-IHCP), Via Fermi 2749, 21027, Ispra, VA, Italy

    Elisa Alloa, Diana Rembges, Robin Capomaccio, François Rossi & Jessica Ponti

  3. Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, University of Torino, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125, Torino, Italy

    Simonetta Oliaro-Bosso & Franca Viola

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  1. Mara Ghiazza
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  2. Elisa Alloa
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  3. Simonetta Oliaro-Bosso
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  4. Franca Viola
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  5. Stefano Livraghi
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  6. Diana Rembges
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  7. Robin Capomaccio
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  8. François Rossi
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  9. Jessica Ponti
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  10. Ivana Fenoglio
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Jessica Ponti or Ivana Fenoglio.

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Mara Ghiazza and Elisa Alloa contributed equally to this work.

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Ghiazza, M., Alloa, E., Oliaro-Bosso, S. et al. Inhibition of the ROS-mediated cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of nano-TiO2 toward human keratinocyte cells by iron doping. J Nanopart Res 16, 2263 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-014-2263-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-014-2263-z

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