Cellular and molecular responses of E. fetida c?lomocytes exposed to TiO2 nanoparticles

An in vitro approach using c?lomocytes of Eisenia fetida was investigated to evaluate toxicity of TiO₂ nanoparticles. C?lomocytes were exposed to well-dispersed suspension of small aggregates (130?nm) of TiO₂ nanoparticles (1?C25???g/ml) during 4, 12 and 24?h. Intracellular localisation suggested that the main route of uptake was endocytosis. Cellular responses showed that TiO₂ nanoparticles were not cytotoxic and had no effect on phagocytosis at any of the four concentrations for each time tested. Concerning molecular responses, an increase of fetidin and metallothionein mRNA expression was observed starting from 4?h of exposure. In contrast, expression of coelomic cytolytic factor mRNA decreased for 10 and 25???g/ml after 4?h. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase expression were not modified suggesting that oxidative stress was not induced by TiO₂ in our experimental conditions. This in vitro approach showed that TiO₂ nanoparticles were taken up by c?lomocytes and they could modify the molecular response of immune and detoxification system.