Toxic effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on corneas and .

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs) are widely used in a variety of areas. However, TiO NPs possess cytotoxicity which involves oxidative stress. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key molecule preventing cells from oxidative stress damage. In the current study, we explored the effect of Nrf2 signaling pathway in TiO NPs-induced corneal endothelial cell injury. Firstly, we found TiO NPs inhibited proliferation and damaged morphology and mitochondria of mouse primary corneal endothelial cells. Moreover, TiO NPs-induced oxidative damage of mouse primary corneal endothelial cells was inhibited by antioxidant NAC by evaluating production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Next, flow cytometry analysis showed TiO NPs promoted apoptosis and cell cycle G2/M phase arrest of mouse primary corneal endothelial cells. Further investigation suggested that Nrf2 signaling pathway activation and the downregulation of ZO-1, β-catenin and Na-K-ATPase were involved in TiO NPs-induced mouse primary corneal endothelial cell injury. Our research highlighted the toxic effect of TiO NPs on corneas and , providing an alternative insight into TiO NPs-induced corneal endothelial cell injury.