Impact of anatase titanium dioxide nanoparticles on mutagenic and genotoxic response in Chinese hamster lung fibroblast cells (V-79): The role of cellular uptake

- Cellular uptake and localization of TiO2 NPs at distinct time span were assessed.
- Chemical composition of anatase TiO2 NPs in V-79 cells was investigated.
- Ultrastructural and morphological changes in cells were also observed.
- TiO2 NPs induced mutagenicity along with genotoxicity in V-79 cells.
- V-79 cells are better model for mutagenicity assessment than the prokaryotic model.

The unique physico-chemical properties of nano crystalline anatase titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) render them with different biological and chemical activities. Hence, it is widely used in industrial and consumer applications. Previous studies have shown the genotoxicity of TiO2 NPs. However, there is a paucity of data regarding mutagenicity of these NPs. In the present study, the cellular uptake, sub-cellular localization, cytotoxicity and short term DNA interaction of TiO2 NPs (1-100 μgmL−1) of diameter ranging from 12 to 25 nm on mammalian lung fibroblast cells (V-79) has been studied. The flow cytometric analysis and electron micrographs of V-79 monolayer showed the internalization of TiO2 NPs in the cytoplasm with the confirmation of elemental composition through SEM/EDX analysis. TEM analysis also showed TiO2 NPs induced ultra-structural changes such as swollen mitochondria and nuclear membrane disruption in V-79 cells. TiO2 NPs generated free radicals, which induced indirect mutagenic and genotoxic responses. Apart from measuring the genotoxicity by Comet assay, the mutagenic potential of TiO2 NPs in V-79 cells was evaluated by mammalian HGPRT gene forward mutation assay, showing a 2.98- fold increase in 6TGR HGPRT mutant frequency (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001) by culture plate method, which is an early indicator of potential carcinogenicity. Hence, TiO2 NPs should be closely monitored and there should be a judicious use and disposal of NPs.

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