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Fig. 11 | Particle and Fibre Toxicology

Fig. 11

From: Copper oxide nanoparticles trigger macrophage cell death with misfolding of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1)

Fig. 11

Current model of CuO NP-triggered cell death. The figure depicts cellular uptake of CuO NPs by macrophages leading to their deposition in lysosomes. This is followed by the dissolution of the NPs at acidic pH with subsequent effects of copper ions on the cells leading to protein misfolding and mitochondrial dysfunction with ensuing oxidative stress. Furthermore, we have demonstrated proteasome inhibition in cells exposed to CuO NPs. This could potentially be due to massive protein misfolding leading to proteasomal insufficiency and/or to a direct inhibitory effect of Cu on the proteasome. MIF is an SOD1 chaperone. Consult text for details

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