Data from: Multigenerational exposure to silver ions and silver nanoparticles reveals heightened sensitivity and epigenetic memory in C. elegans

The effects from multigenerational exposures to engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in their pristine and transformed states are currently unknown despite such exposures being a common scenario in natural environments. Here we examine how exposure over 10 generations affects the sensitivity of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to pristine and sulphidised Ag ENPs and AgNO3. We also include populations which were initially exposed over six generations, but kept unexposed for subsequent four generations to allow recovery from the exposure. Toxicity of the different silver forms decreased in the order AgNO3, Ag ENPs, and Ag2S ENPs. Continuous exposure to Ag ENPs and AgNO3 caused pronounced sensitisation (~10 fold) in the F2 generation which was sustained until F10. This sensitisation was less pronounced for Ag2S ENP exposures, indicating different toxicity mechanisms. Subtle changes in size and lifespan were also measured. In the recovery populations the sensitivity to Ag ENPs and AgNO3 resulting from the initial multigenerational exposure persisted. Their response sensitivity was most closely related to the last ancestral exposed generation (F5), rather than unexposed controls. The mechanisms of transgenerational transfer of sensitivity are likely organised through the epigenome and we encourage others to pursue such effects as a pressing research need in mechanistic toxicology.