Comparative pulmonary toxicity assessment of tungsten trioxide and tungsten trioxide hydrate nanoparticles

Tungsten trioxide (WO3)-based nanoparticles (NPs) are gaining popularity because of their exciting potential for photocatalytic applications; however, the toxic potential of WO3-based NPs remains a concern. In this study, we evaluated the toxic risk of WO3 NPs and hydrated WO3 NPs (WO3·H2O NPs) using lung cells and explored the underlying mechanism. WO3 NPs and WO3·H2O NPs significantly decreased the number of viable cells (59.5 %–85.8 % of control) and promoted apoptosis in human alveolar basal epithelial A549 cells after a 24-h exposure. Both WO3 NPs and WO3·H2O NPs reduced the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (0.15–0.33 folds of control) and superoxide dismutase 2 (0.31–0.66 folds of control) and increased reactive oxygen species production (1.4–2.6 folds of control) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine accumulation (1.22–1.43 folds of control). The results showed that WO3 NPs have higher cytotoxicity and oxidative potential than WO3·H2O NPs. In addition, the WO3 NP cellular uptake rate was significantly higher than the WO3·H2O NPs uptake rate in pulmonary cells. The greater extent of oxidative adverse effects induced by WO3-based NPs appears to be related to the enhanced particle uptake. WO3 NPs and WO3·H2O NPs exposure led to the secretion of inflammatory factor interleukin 6 (1.63–3.42 folds of control). Decreases in serpin family A member 1 gene expression (0.28–0.58 folds of control) and increases in the oxidation of neutrophil elastase inhibitor (1.34–1.62 folds of control) in pulmonary cells also suggest that exposure to WO3 NPs and WO3·H2O NPs raises the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Taken together, our findings indicate that the toxic risk of WO3 NPs and WO3·H2O NPs must be considered when manufacturing and applying WO3-based NPs. [Display omitted] •WO3 NPs are internalized more efficiently and has a higher cellular uptake rate.•WO3 NPs induced severe cytotoxicity and oxidative responses.•WO3·H2O NPs induced more severe inflammatory responses.•WO3 NPs and WO3·H2O NPs can stimulate the early progression of lung disease.•Long-term exposure to WO3 NPs and WO3·H2O NPs can affect pulmonary health.