Cerium oxide nanoparticles protect endothelial cells from apoptosis induced by oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is well documented to cause injury to endothelial cells (ECs), which in turn trigger cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies revealed that cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) had antioxidant property, but the protective effect of nanoceria on ROS injury to ECs and cardiovascular diseases has not been reported. In the current study, we investigated the protective effect and underlying mechanisms of nanoceria on oxidative injury to ECs. The cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase release, cellular uptake, intracellular localization and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, endocytosis mechanism, cell apoptosis, and mitochondrial membrane potential were performed. The results indicated that nanoceria had no cytotoxicity on ECs but had the ability to prevent injury by H2O2. Nanoceria could be uptaken into ECs through caveolae- and clathrin-mediated endocytosis and distributed throughout the cytoplasma. The internalized nanoceria effectively attenuated ROS overproduction induced by H2O2. Apoptosis was also alleviated greatly by nanoceria pretreatment. These results may be helpful for more rational application of nanoceria in biomedical fields in the future.