Accessing the genomic effects of naked nanoceria in murine neuronal cells

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) are engineered nanoparticles whose versatility is due to their unique redox properties. We and others have demonstrated that naked nanoceria can act as antioxidants to protect cells against oxidative damage. Although the redox properties may be beneficial, the genome-wide effects of nanoceria on gene transcription and associated biological processes remain elusive. Here we applied a functional genomic approach to examine the genome-wide effects of nanoceria on global gene transcription and cellular functions in mouse neuronal cells. Importantly, we demonstrated that nanoceria induced chemical- and size-specific changes in the murine neuronal cell transcriptome. The nanoceria contributed more than 83% of the population of uniquely altered genes and were associated with a unique spectrum of genes related to neurological disease, cell cycle control, and growth. These observations suggest that an in-depth assessment of potential health effects of naked nanoceria and other naked nanoparticles is both necessary and imminent.From the Clinical EditorCerium oxide nanoparticles are important antioxidants, with potential applications in neurodegenerative conditions. This team of investigators demonstrated the genomic effects of nanoceria, showing that it induced chemical- and size-specific changes in the murine neuronal cell transcriptome.

Graphical AbstractComparison of global gene expression profiles of mouse neuronal cells treated with nanoceria at 6nm (CeO-6) and control particles (cerium oxide, 100nm (CeO-M) and aluminum oxide (AlO)) showed their unique-induced genes in a Venn digram format. The nanoceria specially contributed more than 83% of uniquely altered gene population and associate with a unique spectrum of genes related to neurological disease, cell cycle control and growth.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (142 K)Download as PowerPoint slide