Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2026
14:53
In Situ Detection and Single Cell Quantification of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Using Nuclear Microprobe Analysis
Published on: February 3, 2018
7.5K
Genome-wide methylation changes upon Caco-2 cells exposure to undigested and digested titanium dioxide nanoparticles.
Célia Ventura1,2, Ana Valente1,2, Luís Vieira1,2
1Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Lisbon, Portugal.
Epigenomics
|November 25, 2025
Summary
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) exposure alters DNA methylation in intestinal cells, impacting gene expression and cellular pathways. These effects vary based on nanoparticle properties and digestion status, highlighting the importance of methylation in nanotoxicology.
Area of Science:
- Nanotoxicology
- Epigenetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) are widely used in biomedicine and industry.
- Concerns exist regarding TiO2NPs' human health effects, especially via ingestion.
- Nanomaterial exposure can induce DNA methylation changes, affecting gene expression and disease development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate DNA methylation changes in intestinal cells exposed to TiO2NPs.
- To analyze cellular effects using functional pathway and gene ontology (GO) analysis.
- To compare effects of digested versus undigested TiO2NPs.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of intestinal cells to three types of TiO2NPs (NM-102, NM-103, NM-105).
- Assessment of differentially methylated genes (DMGs) after exposure to digested and undigested NPs.
- Functional pathway and GO analysis to determine cellular impacts.
Main Results:
- Significant numbers of DMGs were identified for both digested and undigested TiO2NPs.
- Undigested TiO2NPs notably affected G-protein/adenylate cyclase pathways.
- Shared cancer-related pathways and distinct biological processes were observed based on digestion.
- NM-105 uniquely induced hypermethylation compared to other TiO2NPs.
Conclusions:
- TiO2NPs exposure induces functional DNA methylation changes in intestinal cells.
- The impact of TiO2NPs is influenced by their physicochemical properties and digestion state.
- DNA methylation is a critical factor in evaluating the toxicity of nanomaterials.
Related Concept Videos
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
01:25Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity
Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity refer to the ability of drugs to cause genetic defects and induce cancer, respectively. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies agents into four groups based on their carcinogenic potential. Group 1 agents are known human carcinogens; group 2A agents are probably carcinogenic to humans; group 3 agents lack data to support their role in carcinogenesis; and group 4 includes agents for which data support that they are not likely to be...
01:30Mechanical and Chemical Digestion in the Small Intestine
The small intestine plays a crucial role in our digestive system, performing both mechanical and chemical digestion.
Mechanical digestion in the small intestine involves movements such as segmentations and migrating motility complexes (MMCs), primarily controlled by the myenteric plexus. Segmentations are localized contractions occurring in areas of the intestine distended by chyme—a mixture of partially digested food. These contractions mix chyme with digestive juices, facilitating absorption...
Mechanical digestion in the small intestine involves movements such as segmentations and migrating motility complexes (MMCs), primarily controlled by the myenteric plexus. Segmentations are localized contractions occurring in areas of the intestine distended by chyme—a mixture of partially digested food. These contractions mix chyme with digestive juices, facilitating absorption...
01:18Amino Acid Catabolism
Microorganisms rely on proteins as an essential carbon and energy source, particularly in environments with limited polysaccharides or lipids. However, proteins are too large to cross the plasma membrane unaided, necessitating enzymatic degradation. Microbes secrete extracellular proteases and peptidases that hydrolyze proteins into peptides, which can then be transported across the membrane. Once inside the cell, intracellular proteases degrade these peptides into free amino acids, which...