Anatase TiO2 nanoparticles induce autophagy and chloroplast degradation in thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana)

The extensive use of TiO2 nanoparticles and their subsequent release into the environment have posed an important question about the effects of this nanomaterial on ecosystems. Here, we analyzed the link between the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species generated by TiO2 nanoparticles and autophagy, a housekeeping mechanism that removes damaged cellular constituents. We show that TiO2 nanoparticles induce autophagy in the plant model system Arabidopsis thaliana and that autophagy is an important mechanism for managing TiO2 nanoparticle-induced oxidative stress. Additionally, we find that TiO2 nanoparticles induce oxidative stress predominantly in chloroplasts and that this chloroplastic stress is mitigated by autophagy. Collectively, our results suggest that photosynthetic organisms are particularly susceptible to TiO2 nanoparticle toxicity.