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Fig. 5 | Nano Convergence

Fig. 5

From: Organ-on-a-chip technology for nanoparticle research

Fig. 5

Toxicity of ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles. a A lung-on-a-chip model was created by culturing human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (HPAEpiC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), separated by a Matrigel ECM. b Introduction of TiO2 nanoparticles did not affect epithelial or endothelial barrers, but ZnO nanoparticles created a noticeable disturbance in the epithelial barrier (red arrow). Scale bars, 100 µm. c The reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and d the cellular apoptosis of both nanoparticles was assessed to determine their cytotoxic effects. TiO2 nanoparticles induced ROS production in epithelial cells but had no effect on apoptosis. ZnO nanoparticles induced both epithelial and endothelial ROS production and resulted in a dose-dependent increase in epithelial apoptosis. Scale bars, 50 µm. e A similar placental barrier-on-a-chip was created using BeWo human trophoblast cells and HUVECs. f When TiO2 nanoparticles were flown across the device, the placental barrier integrity was compromised. Scale bars, 100 µm. g High TiO2 concentrations resulted in significant ROS generation and BeWo cell apoptosis. Scale bars, 50 µm (left), 100 µm (middle, right)

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