A proteomic approach to investigate the modification in the proteome of the cytoplasmatic compartment of Balb/3T3 cells after exposure to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)

Nanoparticles are widely used in consumer products. However, information about the exposure of the consumer to nanoparticles and their potential health effects is very limited. Nanoparticles may move inside the human body in different manners (via inhalation, ingestion or skin contact), cross the cell membranes and accumulate for long periods of time. Emerging approaches in the area of exposure to nanomaterials and assessment of human health effects combine the use of in vitro cell systems and advanced analytical techniques to study the perturbation of the proteome. The appropriate use of these approaches has the potential to provide information on the possible de-regulation of essential physiological cellular processes. In the present study, we investigated the modification in the proteome of the cytoplasmatic compartment of the Balb/3T3 mouse fibroblast cell line after exposure to 5 and 15 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for 72 h. Protein separation by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) followed by protein identification high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) allowed us to study the differentially expressed proteome in order to explore underlying cellular mechanisms. Differentially expressed proteins were found to cover a range of functions including stress response, cell metabolism, cell growth and cytoskeleton organization. Remarkably, even small differences in particle size (10 nm) seemed to differently affect biological mechanisms. These findings consolidate existing knowledge and permit to get more insight to the cell mechanisms affected by AuNPs exposure. Our activities in the area of exposure to nanomaterials and potential health effects for the consumer are essential to support EU policy implementation.JRC.I.1-Chemical Assessment and Testin