In vitro interaction and biocompatibility of titanate nanotubes with microglial cells

(3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) functionalized titanate nanotubes (named TiONts on the scheme) enter the BV-2 cell both via endocytosis and passive diffusion. Inside cell, TiONts-APTES are capable of inducing superoxide radicals which later get converted to peroxides by SOD activity. TiONts-APTES interact with mitochondria to induce a transient increase in ΔΨm which further gives way to mitochondria mediated ROS production. TiONts-APTES do not affect lysosomal integrity or cell cycle pattern. At high concentration TiONts-APTES probably induce caspase-mediated apoptosis in BV-2 cells leading to PARP cleavage.320