Comparative effects of metal oxide nanoparticles on the permeability of human airway epithelial cells

Airways represent an important portal of entry for nanomaterials (NM) at workplace and in vitro tests to evaluate the respiratory toxicity of NM are badly needed. Airway epithelium is the first barrier encountered by inhaled NM and the interaction between them and the epithelial cells markedly influences the exposure outcome. Metal-based nanoparticles (MNP) are increasingly produced and used, but their effects on airway epithelium are largely unknown. To elucidate this issue, human airway cell monolayers were incubated with two nanometric preparations of CeO2 and three preparations of TiO2 (80:20 anatase:brookite; 80:20 anatase:rutile; 100% rutile); CuO NP of comparable size were used as positive controls