Figure 4: Cytoskeletal integrity analysis of the control and NTs treated group were performed with emphasis on actin, micotubulins and vinculin.
From: Anodically Grown Titania Nanotube Induced Cytotoxicity has Genotoxic Origins
With respect to the actin filaments, a slight reduction in the network of the fibres was observed with the NT group (d) when compared with the control (b). In the case of microtubulins the control (f) and test groups (h) exhibited comparable tubular network. The vinculin expression was found to be undisturbed in the treatment group (l) when compared to control (j). (Scale bars represent 10 μm). Total FAK proteins were quantified with ELISA and their expression in control and treatment groups remained comparable (m). Overall, the cytoskeletal components, which form the basic backbone of a cell and are responsible for their structural integrity and cell-cell/cell-matrix interactions, remained unaffected by the TiO2 NTs, with the exception of actin where a slight rearrangement of the fibers was observed.
