Uptake and molecular impact of aluminum-containing nanomaterials on human intestinal caco-2 cells

AbstractAluminum (Al) is one of the most common elements in the earth crust and increasingly used in food, consumer products and packaging. Its hazard potential for humans is still not completely understood. Besides the metallic form, Al also exists as mineral, including the insoluble oxide, and in soluble ionic forms. Representatives of these three species, namely a metallic and an oxidic species of Al-containing nanoparticles and soluble aluminum chloride, were applied to human intestinal cell lines as models for the intestinal barrier. We characterized physicochemical particle parameters, protein corona composition, ion release and cellular uptake. Different in vitro assays were performed to determine potential effects and molecular modes of action related to the individual chemical species. For a deeper insight into signaling processes, microarray transcriptome analyses followed by bioinformatic data analysis were employed. The particulate Al species showed different solubility in biological media. Me...