Nanotoxicology has become the subject of intense research for more than two decades.Thousands of articles have been published but the space in understanding the nanotoxicity mechanism and the assessment is still uncle...Nanotoxicology has become the subject of intense research for more than two decades.Thousands of articles have been published but the space in understanding the nanotoxicity mechanism and the assessment is still unclear.Recent researches clearly show potential benefits of nanomaterials(NMs)in diagnostics and treatment,targeted drug delivery,and tissue engineering owing to their excellent physicochemical properties.However,these NMs display hazardous health effect then to the greater part of the materials because of small size,large surface area-to-volume ratio,quantum size effects,and environmental factors.Nowadays,a large number of NMs are used in industrial products including several medical applications,consumer,and healthcare products.However,they came into the environment without any safety test.The measurement of toxicity level has become important because of increasing toxic effects on living organisms.New realistic mechanism-based strategies are still needed to determine the toxic effects of NMs.For the assessment of NMs toxicity,reliable and standardized procedures are necessary.This review article provides systematic studies on toxicity of NMs involving manufacturing,environmental factors,eco-toxic and genotoxic effects,some parameters which have been ignored of NMs versus their biological counterparts,cell heterogeneity,and their current challenges and future perspectives.展开更多
Silver nanoparticles,endowed with powerful antimicrobial property,are the most widely used nanomaterial in consumer products,with associated risk of their easy access to environment and freshwater ecosystems by surfac...Silver nanoparticles,endowed with powerful antimicrobial property,are the most widely used nanomaterial in consumer products,with associated risk of their easy access to environment and freshwater ecosystems by surface runoff.Although toxic effects of nanosilver on bacterial,fungal and mammalian cells have been documented,its impact on algal growth remains unknown.Pithophora oedogonia and Chara vulgaris are predominant members of photosynthetic eukaryotic algae,which form major component of global aquatic ecosystem.Here we report for the first time that nanosilver has significant adverse effects on growth and morphology of these filamentous green algae in a dose-dependent manner.Exposure of algal thalli to increasing concentrations of silver nanoparticles resulted in progressive depletion in algal chlorophyll content,chromosome instability and mitotic disturbance,associated with morphological malformations in algal filaments.SEM micrographs revealed dramatic alterations in cell wall in nanoparticle-treated algae,characterized with cell wall rupture and degradation in Pithophora.Although these observations underscore severe deleterious effects of nanosilver on aquatic environment,the information can also be exploited as a bioengineering strategy to control unwanted and persistent growth of noxious algal weeds that clog the municipal water supply and water channels and produce fouling of water bodies.展开更多
Quantitative information,such as environmental migration,absorption,biodistribution,biotransformation,and elimination,is fundamental and essential for the nanosafety evaluations of nanomaterials.Due to the complexity ...Quantitative information,such as environmental migration,absorption,biodistribution,biotransformation,and elimination,is fundamental and essential for the nanosafety evaluations of nanomaterials.Due to the complexity of biological and environmental systems,it is challenging to develop quantitative approaches and tools that could characterize intrinsic behaviors of nanomaterials in the organisms.The isotopic tracers are ideal candidates to tune the physical properties of nanomaterials while preserving their chemical properties.In this review article,we summarized the stable isotope labeling methods of nanomaterials for evaluating their environmental and biological effects.The skeleton labeling protocols of carbon nanomaterials and metal/metal oxide nanoparticles were introduced.The advantages and disadvantages of stable isotope labeling were discussed in comparison with other quantitative methods for nanomaterials.The quantitative information of nanomaterials in environmental and biological systems was summarized along with the biosafety data.The benefits for drug development of nanomedicine were analyzed based on the targeting effects,persistent accumulation,and safety.Finally,the challenges and future perspectives of stable isotope labeling in nanoscience and nanotechnology were discussed.展开更多
With the increase in silver（Ag）-based products in our lives, it is essential to test the potential toxicity of silver nanoparticles（Ag NPs） and silver ions（Ag ions） on living organisms under various conditions. ...With the increase in silver（Ag）-based products in our lives, it is essential to test the potential toxicity of silver nanoparticles（Ag NPs） and silver ions（Ag ions） on living organisms under various conditions. Here, we investigated the toxicity of Ag NPs with Ag ions to Escherichia coli K-12 strain under various conditions. We observed that both Ag NPs and Ag ions display antibacterial activities, and that Ag ions had higher toxicity to E. coli K-12 strain than Ag NPs under the same concentrations. To understand the toxicity of Ag NPs at a cellular level, reactive oxygen species（ROS） enzymes were detected for use as antioxidant enzymatic biomarkers. We have also studied the toxicity of Ag NPs and Ag ions under various coexistence conditions including： fixed total concentration, with a varied the ratio of Ag NPs to Ag ions; fixed the Ag NPs concentration and then increased the Ag ions concentration; fixed Ag ions concentration and then increasing the Ag NPs concentration.Exposure to Ag NPs and Ag ions clearly had synergistic toxicity; however, decreased toxicity（for a fixed Ag NPs concentration of 5 mg/L, after increasing the Ag ions concentration） to E. coli K-12 strain. Ag NPs and Ag ions in the presence of L-cysteine accelerated the bacterial cell growth rate, thereby reducing the bioavailability of Ag ions released from Ag NPs under the single and coexistence conditions. Further works are needed to consider this potential for Ag NPs and Ag ions toxicity across a range of environmental conditions.Environmental Significance Statement： As silver nanoparticles（Ag NPs）-based products are being broadly used in commercial industries, an ecotoxicological understanding of the Ag NPs being released into the environment should be further considered. Here, we investigate the comparative toxicity of Ag NPs and silver ions（Ag ions） to Escherichia coli K-12 strain, a representative ecotoxicological bioreporter. This study showed that toxicities of Ag NPs and Ag ions to E. coli K-12 strain display different relationships when existing individually or when coexisting, and in the presence of L-cysteine materials. These findings suggest that the toxicology research of nanomaterials should consider conditions when NPs coexist with and without their bioavailable ions.展开更多
Carbon nanotubes(CNTs)have tremendous applications in almost every walk of life;however,their harmful impacts on humans and the environment are not well addressed.CNTs have been used in various applications ranging fr...Carbon nanotubes(CNTs)have tremendous applications in almost every walk of life;however,their harmful impacts on humans and the environment are not well addressed.CNTs have been used in various applications ranging from medical science to different engineering branches,to ease human life.Generally,the toxicological profile of CNTs under laboratory conditions cannot be assessed primarily in medical science due to the inconsistent availability of cytotoxic study data.CNT toxicity has been affected by many physicochemical properties(e.g.,size,type of functionalization),concentration,the extent of exposure,mode of exposure,and even the solvents/medium used to dissolve/disperse CNTs for their application.These inconsistencies arise due to the variation in synthesis methods as well as the mode of their human exposure.Besides their unlimited use in various fields,most of CNT toxicity aspects and mechanisms remain uncertain.Additionally,in-depth knowledge of CNTs toxicity is scarce,and the available literature shows dissimilarities in experimental data and exposure studies.To understand the toxicological issues,it is the need of the hour to provide insight into the published data,post-exposure studies,and various factors that may damage the cells due to CNTs toxicity.This review article analyses the hazardous potential through toxicological implications and summarizes the detailed mechanism(s)of CNTs studied on the different model organisms,including human cell lines.In this review article,we hypothesized that thorough knowledge of various aspects,as mentioned above,helps us design and develop possible strategies to reduce the toxicity of nanomaterial to make them safer and secure for humanity’s betterment.展开更多
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles （SPIONs） are one of the most versatile and safe nanoparticles in a wide variety of biomedical applications. In the past decades, considerable efforts have been made to inve...Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles （SPIONs） are one of the most versatile and safe nanoparticles in a wide variety of biomedical applications. In the past decades, considerable efforts have been made to investigate the potential adverse biological effects and safety issues associated with SPIONs, which is essential for the development of next-generation SPIONs and for continued progress in translational research. In this mini review, we summarize recent developments in toxicity studies on SPIONs, focusing on the relationship between the physicochemical properties of SPIONs and their induced toxic biological responses for a better toxicological understanding of SPIONs.展开更多
We have studied the genotoxic and apoptotic potential of ferric oxide nanoparticles（Fe_2O_3-NPs） in Raphanus sativus（radish）.Fe_2O_3-NPs retarded the root length and seed germination in radish.Ultrathin sections o...We have studied the genotoxic and apoptotic potential of ferric oxide nanoparticles（Fe_2O_3-NPs） in Raphanus sativus（radish）.Fe_2O_3-NPs retarded the root length and seed germination in radish.Ultrathin sections of treated roots showed subcellular localization of Fe_2O_3-NPs,along with the appearance of damaged mitochondria and excessive vacuolization.Flow cytometric analysis of Fe_2O_3-NPs（1.0 mg/m L） treated groups exhibited 219.5%,161%,120.4% and 161.4% increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species（ROS）,mitochondrial membrane potential（ΔΨm）,nitric oxide（NO） and Ca2＋influx in radish protoplasts.A concentration dependent increase in the antioxidative enzymes glutathione（GSH）,catalase（CAT）,superoxide dismutase（SOD） and lipid peroxidation（LPO） has been recorded.Comet assay showed a concentration dependent increase in deoxyribonucleic acid（DNA） strand breaks in Fe_2O_3-NPs treated groups.Cell cycle analysis revealed 88.4% of cells in sub-G1 apoptotic phase,suggesting cell death in Fe_2O_3-NPs（2.0 mg/m L） treated group.Taking together,the genotoxicity induced by Fe_2O_3-NPs highlights the importance of environmental risk associated with improper disposal of nanoparticles（NPs） and radish can serve as a good indicator for measuring the phytotoxicity of NPs grown in NP-polluted environment.展开更多
The nanoscale zinc oxide(n-ZnO)was used in food packages due to its superior antibac terial activity,resulting in potential intake of n-ZnO through the digestive system,wherein n-ZnO interacted with saliva.In recent,f...The nanoscale zinc oxide(n-ZnO)was used in food packages due to its superior antibac terial activity,resulting in potential intake of n-ZnO through the digestive system,wherein n-ZnO interacted with saliva.In recent,facet engineering,a technique for controlling the exposed facets,was applied to n-ZnO,whereas risk of n-ZnO with specific exposed facets in saliva was ignored.ZnO nanoflakes(ZnO-0001)and nanoneedles(ZnO-1010)with the pri mary exposed facets of{0001}and{1010}respectively were prepared in this study,investigat ing stability and toxicity of ZnO-0001 and ZnO-1010 in synthetic saliva.Both ZnO-0001 and ZnO-1010 partially transformed into amorphous Zn_(3)(PO_(4))_(2)within 1 hr in the saliva even containing orgnaic components,forming a ZnO-Zn_(3)(PO_(4))_(2)core-shell structure.Neverthe less,ZnO-1010 relative to ZnO-0001 would likely transform into Zn_(3)(PO_(4))_(2),being attributed to superior dissolution of{1010}facet due to its lower vacancy formation energy(1.15 eV than{0001}facet(3.90 eV)).The toxicity of n-ZnO to Caco-2 cells was also dependent on the primary exposed facet;ZnO-0001 caused cell toxicity through oxidative stress,whereas ZnO-1010 resulted in lower cells viability than ZnO-0001 through oxidative stress and mem brane damage.Density functional theory calculations illustrated that·O_(2)^(-)was formed and released on{1010}facet,yet O_(2)^(2-)instead of·O_(2)^(-)was generated on{0001}facet,leading to low oxidative stress from ZnO-0001.All findings demonstrated that stability and toxicity of n-ZnO were dependent on the primary exposed facet,improving our understanding o health risk of nanomaterials.展开更多
Nanomaterials(NMs)have garnered decades of research interest owing to their unique physicochemical properties and unparalleled advantages in diverse applications.However,these distinctive characteristics simultaneousl...Nanomaterials(NMs)have garnered decades of research interest owing to their unique physicochemical properties and unparalleled advantages in diverse applications.However,these distinctive characteristics simultaneously raise concerns regarding their biosafety.Recent advancements in understanding NMs–organism interactions have led to innovative strategies for mitigating their intrinsic toxicity.Notably,emerging studies reveal that through rational design and precise manipulation,the inherent toxicological effects of NMs can be strategically repurposed for cancer therapeutics.For instance,functionalized NMs may disrupt oxidative homeostasis,activate programmed cell death pathways,modulate immune responses,or regulate ion channel activities.Despite these promising discoveries,the systematic exploitation of NMs-induced biological responses in oncological interventions remains underexplored.Therefore,this review provides,for the first time,a comprehensive introduction to NM-mediated biological process modulation,focusing on their mechanisms and therapeutic potential in cancer treatment.We have summarized(1)key pathways through which NMs elicit cytotoxic effects,including redox homeostasis regulation,immunogenic cell death activation,and so on;(2)design principles for engineering NMs with controllable bio-interactions;and(3)innovative applications leveraging NM-triggered physical effects(e.g.,photothermal conversion,reactive oxygen species generation)as targeted therapeutic modalities.Furthermore,we also highlight the translational significance of harnessing NMspecific bioactivities while discussing current challenges in clinical adaptation and possible solutions.By bridging the gap between nanotoxicology and therapeutic innovation,this manuscript offers novel perspectives for developing next-generation nanomedicine platforms with enhanced efficacy and safety profiles.展开更多
Iron-based nanoparticles(Fe-NPs)exhibit promising potential for soil remediation.However,their toxic effects on plants have also been reported.Typical Fe-NPs have been introduced into soil–plant systems to examine th...Iron-based nanoparticles(Fe-NPs)exhibit promising potential for soil remediation.However,their toxic effects on plants have also been reported.Typical Fe-NPs have been introduced into soil–plant systems to examine their possible nanotoxicity and other impacts on plants,while Fe-NPs have been added to pollutant–soil–plant systems to evaluate their performance as remediation agents.Mixed opinions and results have been reported regarding interactions between Fe-NPs and soil or plants.Here,meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of Fe-NPs on plant morphological and physiological characteristics in soil–plant and pollutant–soil–plant systems.Interestingly,morphological characteristics(dry and fresh weight)were significantly improved by Fe-NPs in both soil–plant and pollutant–soil–plant systems.In terms of plant physiological characteristics,Fe-NPs exerted negative effects on plant pigments in soil–plant systems,but positive effects in pollutant–soil–plant systems.In addition,Fe-NPs greatly increased the Fe contents and decreased the pollutant contents of plants.This study also provides a comprehensive review of the positive and negative effects of Fe-NPs on soil–plant systems and summarizes the pollutant remediation mechanisms of Fe-NPs in soil–plant systems.The results underscore the potential of Fe-NPs in agricultural applications and the future development of food safety.展开更多
The number of multi-drug-resistant bacteria has increased over the last few decades,which has caused a detrimental impact on public health worldwide.In resolving antibiotic resistance development among different bacte...The number of multi-drug-resistant bacteria has increased over the last few decades,which has caused a detrimental impact on public health worldwide.In resolving antibiotic resistance development among different bacterial communities,new antimicrobial agents and nanoparticle-based strategies need to be designed foreseeing the slow discovery of new functioning antibiotics.Advanced research studies have revealed the significant disinfection potential of two-dimensional nanomaterials(2D NMs)to be severed as effective antibacterial agents due to their unique physicochemical properties.This review covers the current research progress of 2D NMs-based antibacterial strategies based on an inclusive explanation of 2D NMs’impact as antibacterial agents,including a detailed introduction to each possible well-known antibacterial mechanism.The impact of the physicochemical properties of 2D NMs on their antibacterial activities has been deliberated while explaining the toxic effects of 2D NMs and discussing their biomedical significance,dysbiosis,and cellular nanotoxicity.Adding to the challenges,we also discussed the major issues regarding the current quality and availability of nanotoxicity data.However,smart advancements are required to fabricate biocompatible 2D antibacterial NMs and exploit their potential to combat bacterial resistance clinically.展开更多
Manufactured nanomaterials with unique properties have been extensively applied in various indus-trial,agricultural or medical fields.However,some of the properties have been identified to be closely related to nanoma...Manufactured nanomaterials with unique properties have been extensively applied in various indus-trial,agricultural or medical fields.However,some of the properties have been identified to be closely related to nanomaterial toxicity.The"nano-paradox"has aroused concerns over the use and develop-ment of nanotechnology,which makes it difficult for regulatory agencies to regulate nanomaterials.The key to fulfilling proper nanomaterial regulation lies in the adequate understanding of the impact of nanomaterial properties on nano-bio interactions.To this end,we start the present work with a brief intro-duction to nano-bio interactions at different levels.Based on that,how key toxicity-associated properties of manufactured nanomaterials(i.e.,size,shape,chemical composition,surface properties,biocorona formation,agglomeration and/or aggregation state,and biodegradability)impact their toxicokinetics,cel-lular uptake,trafficking and responses,and toxicity mechanisms is deeply explored.Moreover,advanced analytical methods for studying nano-bio interactions are introduced.Furthermore,the current reg-ulatory and legislative frameworks for nanomaterial-containing products in different regions and/or countries are presented.Finally,we propose several challenges facing the nanotoxicology field and their possible solutions to shed light on the safety evaluation of nanomaterials.展开更多
With the fast development of nanotechnology,reactive engineered nanomaterials(ENMs)are increasingly discharged into the environment,where they interact with environmental components and organisms and thus pose potenti...With the fast development of nanotechnology,reactive engineered nanomaterials(ENMs)are increasingly discharged into the environment,where they interact with environmental components and organisms and thus pose potential risks.The interactions-derived formation of nano-environmental and nano-bio interfaces determines environmental behaviors and biological effects of ENMs,and ubiquitous dissolved organic matter(DOM)is bound to impact the interfacial interactions and the resulted environmental risks.Herein,we systematically investigated adsorptive interactions between ENMs and various DOM representatives,and thereby demonstrated the effects of DOM on the aqueous suspension/aggregation,mobility in porous media,adsorption of contaminants,transformation,and biological accumulation and toxicity of ENMs.Overall,we conclude that natural DOM can in general expand environmental distribution of ENMs while limit their toxicity to organisms.展开更多
Background:The nanotechnology boom and the ability to manufacture novel nanomaterials have led to increased production and use of engineered nanoparticles(ENPs).However,the increased use of various ENPs inevitably res...Background:The nanotechnology boom and the ability to manufacture novel nanomaterials have led to increased production and use of engineered nanoparticles(ENPs).However,the increased use of various ENPs inevitably results in their release in or the contamination of the environment,which poses significant threats to human health.In recent years,extraordinary economic and societal benefits of nanoproducts as well as their potential risks have been observed and widely debated.To estimate whether ENPs are safe from the onset of their manufacturing to their disposal,evaluation of the toxicological effects of ENPs on human exposure,especially on more sensitive and vulnerable sectors of the population(infants and children)is essential.Data sources:Papers were obtained from PubMed,Web of Science,and Google Scholar.Literature search words included:"nanoparticles","infants","children","exposure","toxicity",and all relevant cross-references.Results:A brief overview was conducted to 1)characterize potential exposure routes of ENPs for infants and children;2)describe the vulnerability and particular needs of infants and children about ENPs exposure;3)investigate the current knowledge about the potential health hazards of ENPs;and 4)provide suggestions for future research and regulations in ENP applications.Conclusions:As the manufacturing and use of ENPs become more widespread,directed and focused studies are necessary to measure actual exposure levels and to determine adverse health consequences in infants and children.展开更多
Bacterial infections may lead to diverse acute or chronic diseases （e.g., inflammation, sepsis and cancer）. New antibiotics against bacteria are rarely discovered in recent years, which necessitates the exploration ...Bacterial infections may lead to diverse acute or chronic diseases （e.g., inflammation, sepsis and cancer）. New antibiotics against bacteria are rarely discovered in recent years, which necessitates the exploration of new antibacterial agents. Engineered nanomatetials {ENMs） have been extensively studied for antibacterial use because of their long lasting killing effects in wide spectra of bacteria. Graphene oxide （GO） is one of the most widely studied ENMs and exhibit strong bactericidal effects. The physicochemical properties of GO play important roles in bacterial killing by triggering a cascade of toxic events. Many studies have explored the signaling pathways of GO in bacteria. Although molecular initiating events （MIEs） of GO in bacteria dominate its killing efficiency as well as toxicity mechanisms, they have been rarely reviewed. In this report, we discussed the structure-activity relationships （SARs） involved in GOinduced bacterial killing and the MIEs including redox reaction with biomolecules, mechanical destruction of membranes and catalysis of extracellular metabolites. Furthermore, we summarized the clinical or commercial applications of GO-based antibacterial products and discussed their biosafety in mammal. Finally, we reviewed the remaining challenges in GO for antibacterial applications, which may offer new insights for the development of nano antibacterial studies.展开更多
Over the past few years,nanomaterials toxicology has emerged as a new exciting field in which theoretical and experimental studies of toxicity of nanomaterials have become a focus,and the importance of carbon nanotube...Over the past few years,nanomaterials toxicology has emerged as a new exciting field in which theoretical and experimental studies of toxicity of nanomaterials have become a focus,and the importance of carbon nanotubes(CNTs),graphene oxide(GO),quantum dots(QDs),magnetic nanoparticles(MNPs),and amorphous silica nanoparticles(ASN)as special nanomaterials to the fundamental development in biomedical engineering has begun to be recognized.In particular,interaction between nanomaterials and nucleic acids,proteins or cells,animals,environment,etc.has become a new interdisciplinary frontier,there is an increasing need for a more systematic study of the basic issues involved in nanomaterials toxicity and potential toxicity-reducing methods,great advances have been and are being made in nanomaterials’biological effects and application in disease diagnosis and therapy.Here we review some of the main advances in this field over past few years,and discuss about the concepts,issues,approaches,and challenges,with the aim of stimulating a broader interest in studying the toxicological mechanism of nanomaterials and potential toxicity-eliminating measurement.展开更多
In this research, we explored a rapid assessment of silver nanoparticles(Ag-NPs) neurotoxicity at a single-cell level. Traditional nanotoxicity assays on large cell-populations may hide the important heterogeneity of ...In this research, we explored a rapid assessment of silver nanoparticles(Ag-NPs) neurotoxicity at a single-cell level. Traditional nanotoxicity assays on large cell-populations may hide the important heterogeneity of individual cells often found in neuronal cells. The development in the area of new nanomaterial discoveries is far ahead of the development of advanced tools to measure these materials' toxicity. Development of alternative approaches to assess nanomaterials toxicity rapidly, reliably, and accurately is desirable. Here, we present a chip-based, cell-integrated microwell-array device for rapid assessment of neurotoxicity of Ag-NPs by monitoring the exocytosis function of a PC12 cell. Results presented here confirm the dose-dependent toxicity of Ag-NPs and the immediate alteration of their exocytosis function when exposed to NPs.展开更多
The toxicity of nanoparticles in a biological system is an integration of effects arising from surface functionali~ particle size, ionic dissolution, etc. This complexity suggests that generalization of a material＇s ...The toxicity of nanoparticles in a biological system is an integration of effects arising from surface functionali~ particle size, ionic dissolution, etc. This complexity suggests that generalization of a material＇s toxicity may be inappropriate. Moreover, from a medicinal point of view, toxicity can be used for treatment of malignant cells, such as cancer. In this stud~ highly biocompatible carbon nanodots （gCDs） were synthesized by reacting citric acid and urea in glycerol, which resulted in abundant hydroxyl functional groups on the particle surface. gCDs show excitation-dependent photoluminescence but with bright green to yellow emission. Importantly, a series of toxicity assessments showed that as-synthesized gCDs possessed exceptional biocompatibilities to various biological entities including 18 bacteria species, Petunia axillaris seedlings, and Artemia franciscana nauplii. Furthermore, the particles were shown to have low to no toxic effects on human embryonic kidney （HEK-293）, breast （MCF-7）, and oral squamous （CAL-27） carcinoma cell lines. Of particular interest, the gCDs displayed antiproliferative activities against ovarian choriocarcinoma cells （JAr/Jeg-3 cell lines）, which may be further explored for cancer drug discovery.展开更多
As the continuous development of the industrial revolution,nanomaterials with excellent characteristics have been widely applied in various fields,greatly increasing the probability of human exposure to nanomaterials ...As the continuous development of the industrial revolution,nanomaterials with excellent characteristics have been widely applied in various fields,greatly increasing the probability of human exposure to nanomaterials and the concerns about the potential nanotoxicity.Existing studies have shown that the toxicity of nanomaterials may be closely related to oxidative stress,inflammatory response,phagocytosis dysfunction,DNA damage,etc.Based on our focus,nanomaterials may cross the human barrier through various channels and disrupt various cell-cell junctions,while the integrity of cellular barrier is a necessary for the normal physiological function of various organs.However,until now,there is still a lack of systematic discussion in this field.This review illustrates the importance of cell-cell junctions in maintaining various organ functions and highlights the mechanism of various nanomaterials disrupt cell-cell junctions,as well as the possible damage to various organs,such as brain,eye,lung,breast,intestine,placenta,testis,heart,liver,kidney,skin,etc.Awareness of the potential negative effects of nanomaterials will help scientists deeply understand the limitations of nanotechnology,inspiring them to develop safer and more efficient nanomaterials for future personalized nanomedicine.展开更多
RNA interference （RNAi） effectors such as small interfering RNA （siRNA） and micro RNA （miRNA） can selectively downregulate any gene implicated in the pathology of a disease. Therefore, RNAi-based therapies have ...RNA interference （RNAi） effectors such as small interfering RNA （siRNA） and micro RNA （miRNA） can selectively downregulate any gene implicated in the pathology of a disease. Therefore, RNAi-based therapies have immense potential for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. However, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies have revealed that these therapeutic agents have poor bioactivity due to a number of factors, including insufficient plasma drug levels, short plasma half-lives, renal clearance, and hepatic metabolism. Non-viral delivery may facilitate the clinical application of siRNA-based therapeutics by helping to overcome these barriers. Recently, the potential of gold nanoparticles （AuNPs） as multifunctional carriers for transporting drugs, proteins, and genetic materials has been demonstrated. In this review, some of the key properties of AuNPs relevant to siRNA delivery, such as physical properties and surface chemistry have been described. In addition, the ability of AuNP-based formulation strategies to successfully overcome delivery barriers associated with siRNA, and the potential for this material to translate into safe and effective nanomedicines are critically discussed.展开更多
基金the Department of Chemistry,Amity Institute of Applied Sciences,Amity University Uttar Pradesh,India,for allowing them to complete their study and for offering the chance to do so through a non-teaching credit course(NTCC).
文摘Nanotoxicology has become the subject of intense research for more than two decades.Thousands of articles have been published but the space in understanding the nanotoxicity mechanism and the assessment is still unclear.Recent researches clearly show potential benefits of nanomaterials(NMs)in diagnostics and treatment,targeted drug delivery,and tissue engineering owing to their excellent physicochemical properties.However,these NMs display hazardous health effect then to the greater part of the materials because of small size,large surface area-to-volume ratio,quantum size effects,and environmental factors.Nowadays,a large number of NMs are used in industrial products including several medical applications,consumer,and healthcare products.However,they came into the environment without any safety test.The measurement of toxicity level has become important because of increasing toxic effects on living organisms.New realistic mechanism-based strategies are still needed to determine the toxic effects of NMs.For the assessment of NMs toxicity,reliable and standardized procedures are necessary.This review article provides systematic studies on toxicity of NMs involving manufacturing,environmental factors,eco-toxic and genotoxic effects,some parameters which have been ignored of NMs versus their biological counterparts,cell heterogeneity,and their current challenges and future perspectives.
基金supported by grants received by Anjali Dash from DST Women Scientist Scheme (DST WOSA)by D.Dash from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT),Govt.of Indiathe Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
文摘Silver nanoparticles,endowed with powerful antimicrobial property,are the most widely used nanomaterial in consumer products,with associated risk of their easy access to environment and freshwater ecosystems by surface runoff.Although toxic effects of nanosilver on bacterial,fungal and mammalian cells have been documented,its impact on algal growth remains unknown.Pithophora oedogonia and Chara vulgaris are predominant members of photosynthetic eukaryotic algae,which form major component of global aquatic ecosystem.Here we report for the first time that nanosilver has significant adverse effects on growth and morphology of these filamentous green algae in a dose-dependent manner.Exposure of algal thalli to increasing concentrations of silver nanoparticles resulted in progressive depletion in algal chlorophyll content,chromosome instability and mitotic disturbance,associated with morphological malformations in algal filaments.SEM micrographs revealed dramatic alterations in cell wall in nanoparticle-treated algae,characterized with cell wall rupture and degradation in Pithophora.Although these observations underscore severe deleterious effects of nanosilver on aquatic environment,the information can also be exploited as a bioengineering strategy to control unwanted and persistent growth of noxious algal weeds that clog the municipal water supply and water channels and produce fouling of water bodies.
基金financial support from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2021YFA1200904)the Beijing Natural Science Foundation(No.2202065)+1 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,Southwest Minzu University(No.2021PTJS36)Major instrument project of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22027810)。
文摘Quantitative information,such as environmental migration,absorption,biodistribution,biotransformation,and elimination,is fundamental and essential for the nanosafety evaluations of nanomaterials.Due to the complexity of biological and environmental systems,it is challenging to develop quantitative approaches and tools that could characterize intrinsic behaviors of nanomaterials in the organisms.The isotopic tracers are ideal candidates to tune the physical properties of nanomaterials while preserving their chemical properties.In this review article,we summarized the stable isotope labeling methods of nanomaterials for evaluating their environmental and biological effects.The skeleton labeling protocols of carbon nanomaterials and metal/metal oxide nanoparticles were introduced.The advantages and disadvantages of stable isotope labeling were discussed in comparison with other quantitative methods for nanomaterials.The quantitative information of nanomaterials in environmental and biological systems was summarized along with the biosafety data.The benefits for drug development of nanomedicine were analyzed based on the targeting effects,persistent accumulation,and safety.Finally,the challenges and future perspectives of stable isotope labeling in nanoscience and nanotechnology were discussed.
基金supported through the National Research Foundation of Korea (No. 2013R1A1A1007708)
文摘With the increase in silver（Ag）-based products in our lives, it is essential to test the potential toxicity of silver nanoparticles（Ag NPs） and silver ions（Ag ions） on living organisms under various conditions. Here, we investigated the toxicity of Ag NPs with Ag ions to Escherichia coli K-12 strain under various conditions. We observed that both Ag NPs and Ag ions display antibacterial activities, and that Ag ions had higher toxicity to E. coli K-12 strain than Ag NPs under the same concentrations. To understand the toxicity of Ag NPs at a cellular level, reactive oxygen species（ROS） enzymes were detected for use as antioxidant enzymatic biomarkers. We have also studied the toxicity of Ag NPs and Ag ions under various coexistence conditions including： fixed total concentration, with a varied the ratio of Ag NPs to Ag ions; fixed the Ag NPs concentration and then increased the Ag ions concentration; fixed Ag ions concentration and then increasing the Ag NPs concentration.Exposure to Ag NPs and Ag ions clearly had synergistic toxicity; however, decreased toxicity（for a fixed Ag NPs concentration of 5 mg/L, after increasing the Ag ions concentration） to E. coli K-12 strain. Ag NPs and Ag ions in the presence of L-cysteine accelerated the bacterial cell growth rate, thereby reducing the bioavailability of Ag ions released from Ag NPs under the single and coexistence conditions. Further works are needed to consider this potential for Ag NPs and Ag ions toxicity across a range of environmental conditions.Environmental Significance Statement： As silver nanoparticles（Ag NPs）-based products are being broadly used in commercial industries, an ecotoxicological understanding of the Ag NPs being released into the environment should be further considered. Here, we investigate the comparative toxicity of Ag NPs and silver ions（Ag ions） to Escherichia coli K-12 strain, a representative ecotoxicological bioreporter. This study showed that toxicities of Ag NPs and Ag ions to E. coli K-12 strain display different relationships when existing individually or when coexisting, and in the presence of L-cysteine materials. These findings suggest that the toxicology research of nanomaterials should consider conditions when NPs coexist with and without their bioavailable ions.
基金This work was supported by a project grant from the Science and Engineering Research Board,Department of Science and Technology(SERB-DST)New Delhi,India[File No.PDF/2016/000200].
文摘Carbon nanotubes(CNTs)have tremendous applications in almost every walk of life;however,their harmful impacts on humans and the environment are not well addressed.CNTs have been used in various applications ranging from medical science to different engineering branches,to ease human life.Generally,the toxicological profile of CNTs under laboratory conditions cannot be assessed primarily in medical science due to the inconsistent availability of cytotoxic study data.CNT toxicity has been affected by many physicochemical properties(e.g.,size,type of functionalization),concentration,the extent of exposure,mode of exposure,and even the solvents/medium used to dissolve/disperse CNTs for their application.These inconsistencies arise due to the variation in synthesis methods as well as the mode of their human exposure.Besides their unlimited use in various fields,most of CNT toxicity aspects and mechanisms remain uncertain.Additionally,in-depth knowledge of CNTs toxicity is scarce,and the available literature shows dissimilarities in experimental data and exposure studies.To understand the toxicological issues,it is the need of the hour to provide insight into the published data,post-exposure studies,and various factors that may damage the cells due to CNTs toxicity.This review article analyses the hazardous potential through toxicological implications and summarizes the detailed mechanism(s)of CNTs studied on the different model organisms,including human cell lines.In this review article,we hypothesized that thorough knowledge of various aspects,as mentioned above,helps us design and develop possible strategies to reduce the toxicity of nanomaterial to make them safer and secure for humanity’s betterment.
基金Project supported by the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China(Grant Nos.2013CB733802 and 2014CB744503)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.81101101 and 51273165)+1 种基金the Key Project of Chinese Ministry of Education(Grant No.212149)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,China(Grant Nos.2013121039 and ZK1002)
文摘Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles （SPIONs） are one of the most versatile and safe nanoparticles in a wide variety of biomedical applications. In the past decades, considerable efforts have been made to investigate the potential adverse biological effects and safety issues associated with SPIONs, which is essential for the development of next-generation SPIONs and for continued progress in translational research. In this mini review, we summarize recent developments in toxicity studies on SPIONs, focusing on the relationship between the physicochemical properties of SPIONs and their induced toxic biological responses for a better toxicological understanding of SPIONs.
基金funded by the National Plan for Science,Technology and Innovation(MAARIFAH)King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,award number 12-BIO2919-02
文摘We have studied the genotoxic and apoptotic potential of ferric oxide nanoparticles（Fe_2O_3-NPs） in Raphanus sativus（radish）.Fe_2O_3-NPs retarded the root length and seed germination in radish.Ultrathin sections of treated roots showed subcellular localization of Fe_2O_3-NPs,along with the appearance of damaged mitochondria and excessive vacuolization.Flow cytometric analysis of Fe_2O_3-NPs（1.0 mg/m L） treated groups exhibited 219.5%,161%,120.4% and 161.4% increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species（ROS）,mitochondrial membrane potential（ΔΨm）,nitric oxide（NO） and Ca2＋influx in radish protoplasts.A concentration dependent increase in the antioxidative enzymes glutathione（GSH）,catalase（CAT）,superoxide dismutase（SOD） and lipid peroxidation（LPO） has been recorded.Comet assay showed a concentration dependent increase in deoxyribonucleic acid（DNA） strand breaks in Fe_2O_3-NPs treated groups.Cell cycle analysis revealed 88.4% of cells in sub-G1 apoptotic phase,suggesting cell death in Fe_2O_3-NPs（2.0 mg/m L） treated group.Taking together,the genotoxicity induced by Fe_2O_3-NPs highlights the importance of environmental risk associated with improper disposal of nanoparticles（NPs） and radish can serve as a good indicator for measuring the phytotoxicity of NPs grown in NP-polluted environment.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.21806141,22021003,and 21976163)。
文摘The nanoscale zinc oxide(n-ZnO)was used in food packages due to its superior antibac terial activity,resulting in potential intake of n-ZnO through the digestive system,wherein n-ZnO interacted with saliva.In recent,facet engineering,a technique for controlling the exposed facets,was applied to n-ZnO,whereas risk of n-ZnO with specific exposed facets in saliva was ignored.ZnO nanoflakes(ZnO-0001)and nanoneedles(ZnO-1010)with the pri mary exposed facets of{0001}and{1010}respectively were prepared in this study,investigat ing stability and toxicity of ZnO-0001 and ZnO-1010 in synthetic saliva.Both ZnO-0001 and ZnO-1010 partially transformed into amorphous Zn_(3)(PO_(4))_(2)within 1 hr in the saliva even containing orgnaic components,forming a ZnO-Zn_(3)(PO_(4))_(2)core-shell structure.Neverthe less,ZnO-1010 relative to ZnO-0001 would likely transform into Zn_(3)(PO_(4))_(2),being attributed to superior dissolution of{1010}facet due to its lower vacancy formation energy(1.15 eV than{0001}facet(3.90 eV)).The toxicity of n-ZnO to Caco-2 cells was also dependent on the primary exposed facet;ZnO-0001 caused cell toxicity through oxidative stress,whereas ZnO-1010 resulted in lower cells viability than ZnO-0001 through oxidative stress and mem brane damage.Density functional theory calculations illustrated that·O_(2)^(-)was formed and released on{1010}facet,yet O_(2)^(2-)instead of·O_(2)^(-)was generated on{0001}facet,leading to low oxidative stress from ZnO-0001.All findings demonstrated that stability and toxicity of n-ZnO were dependent on the primary exposed facet,improving our understanding o health risk of nanomaterials.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(52302359,82172736)Science and Technology Projects in Guangzhou(Yat-Sen Excellent Young Scientists Fund,2025A03J4278)+1 种基金State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer(ZZ-94-2306,zz-RCPY-24-41)Guangzhou Science and Technology Projects,State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer,Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province(2023B1212060013).
文摘Nanomaterials(NMs)have garnered decades of research interest owing to their unique physicochemical properties and unparalleled advantages in diverse applications.However,these distinctive characteristics simultaneously raise concerns regarding their biosafety.Recent advancements in understanding NMs–organism interactions have led to innovative strategies for mitigating their intrinsic toxicity.Notably,emerging studies reveal that through rational design and precise manipulation,the inherent toxicological effects of NMs can be strategically repurposed for cancer therapeutics.For instance,functionalized NMs may disrupt oxidative homeostasis,activate programmed cell death pathways,modulate immune responses,or regulate ion channel activities.Despite these promising discoveries,the systematic exploitation of NMs-induced biological responses in oncological interventions remains underexplored.Therefore,this review provides,for the first time,a comprehensive introduction to NM-mediated biological process modulation,focusing on their mechanisms and therapeutic potential in cancer treatment.We have summarized(1)key pathways through which NMs elicit cytotoxic effects,including redox homeostasis regulation,immunogenic cell death activation,and so on;(2)design principles for engineering NMs with controllable bio-interactions;and(3)innovative applications leveraging NM-triggered physical effects(e.g.,photothermal conversion,reactive oxygen species generation)as targeted therapeutic modalities.Furthermore,we also highlight the translational significance of harnessing NMspecific bioactivities while discussing current challenges in clinical adaptation and possible solutions.By bridging the gap between nanotoxicology and therapeutic innovation,this manuscript offers novel perspectives for developing next-generation nanomedicine platforms with enhanced efficacy and safety profiles.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52279051 and 52261145701)the 2115 Talent Development Program of China Agricultural University(No.109018)the Chinese Universities Scientific Fund(No.2024TC027).
文摘Iron-based nanoparticles(Fe-NPs)exhibit promising potential for soil remediation.However,their toxic effects on plants have also been reported.Typical Fe-NPs have been introduced into soil–plant systems to examine their possible nanotoxicity and other impacts on plants,while Fe-NPs have been added to pollutant–soil–plant systems to evaluate their performance as remediation agents.Mixed opinions and results have been reported regarding interactions between Fe-NPs and soil or plants.Here,meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of Fe-NPs on plant morphological and physiological characteristics in soil–plant and pollutant–soil–plant systems.Interestingly,morphological characteristics(dry and fresh weight)were significantly improved by Fe-NPs in both soil–plant and pollutant–soil–plant systems.In terms of plant physiological characteristics,Fe-NPs exerted negative effects on plant pigments in soil–plant systems,but positive effects in pollutant–soil–plant systems.In addition,Fe-NPs greatly increased the Fe contents and decreased the pollutant contents of plants.This study also provides a comprehensive review of the positive and negative effects of Fe-NPs on soil–plant systems and summarizes the pollutant remediation mechanisms of Fe-NPs in soil–plant systems.The results underscore the potential of Fe-NPs in agricultural applications and the future development of food safety.
基金supported by the Science and Technology Innovation Commission of Shenzhen,China(20231121191245001 and JCYJ20210324095607021 to HX)the Special Project of Key Fields of Universities in Guangdong Province,China(2021ZDZX2047 to HX).
文摘The number of multi-drug-resistant bacteria has increased over the last few decades,which has caused a detrimental impact on public health worldwide.In resolving antibiotic resistance development among different bacterial communities,new antimicrobial agents and nanoparticle-based strategies need to be designed foreseeing the slow discovery of new functioning antibiotics.Advanced research studies have revealed the significant disinfection potential of two-dimensional nanomaterials(2D NMs)to be severed as effective antibacterial agents due to their unique physicochemical properties.This review covers the current research progress of 2D NMs-based antibacterial strategies based on an inclusive explanation of 2D NMs’impact as antibacterial agents,including a detailed introduction to each possible well-known antibacterial mechanism.The impact of the physicochemical properties of 2D NMs on their antibacterial activities has been deliberated while explaining the toxic effects of 2D NMs and discussing their biomedical significance,dysbiosis,and cellular nanotoxicity.Adding to the challenges,we also discussed the major issues regarding the current quality and availability of nanotoxicity data.However,smart advancements are required to fabricate biocompatible 2D antibacterial NMs and exploit their potential to combat bacterial resistance clinically.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(grant No.XDB36000000)the National Basic Research Program of China(grant No.2020YFA0710702)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant Nos.51822207 and 51772292).
文摘Manufactured nanomaterials with unique properties have been extensively applied in various indus-trial,agricultural or medical fields.However,some of the properties have been identified to be closely related to nanomaterial toxicity.The"nano-paradox"has aroused concerns over the use and develop-ment of nanotechnology,which makes it difficult for regulatory agencies to regulate nanomaterials.The key to fulfilling proper nanomaterial regulation lies in the adequate understanding of the impact of nanomaterial properties on nano-bio interactions.To this end,we start the present work with a brief intro-duction to nano-bio interactions at different levels.Based on that,how key toxicity-associated properties of manufactured nanomaterials(i.e.,size,shape,chemical composition,surface properties,biocorona formation,agglomeration and/or aggregation state,and biodegradability)impact their toxicokinetics,cel-lular uptake,trafficking and responses,and toxicity mechanisms is deeply explored.Moreover,advanced analytical methods for studying nano-bio interactions are introduced.Furthermore,the current reg-ulatory and legislative frameworks for nanomaterial-containing products in different regions and/or countries are presented.Finally,we propose several challenges facing the nanotoxicology field and their possible solutions to shed light on the safety evaluation of nanomaterials.
基金This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2017YFA0207003)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21525728 and 21621005).
文摘With the fast development of nanotechnology,reactive engineered nanomaterials(ENMs)are increasingly discharged into the environment,where they interact with environmental components and organisms and thus pose potential risks.The interactions-derived formation of nano-environmental and nano-bio interfaces determines environmental behaviors and biological effects of ENMs,and ubiquitous dissolved organic matter(DOM)is bound to impact the interfacial interactions and the resulted environmental risks.Herein,we systematically investigated adsorptive interactions between ENMs and various DOM representatives,and thereby demonstrated the effects of DOM on the aqueous suspension/aggregation,mobility in porous media,adsorption of contaminants,transformation,and biological accumulation and toxicity of ENMs.Overall,we conclude that natural DOM can in general expand environmental distribution of ENMs while limit their toxicity to organisms.
基金supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81102097)
文摘Background:The nanotechnology boom and the ability to manufacture novel nanomaterials have led to increased production and use of engineered nanoparticles(ENPs).However,the increased use of various ENPs inevitably results in their release in or the contamination of the environment,which poses significant threats to human health.In recent years,extraordinary economic and societal benefits of nanoproducts as well as their potential risks have been observed and widely debated.To estimate whether ENPs are safe from the onset of their manufacturing to their disposal,evaluation of the toxicological effects of ENPs on human exposure,especially on more sensitive and vulnerable sectors of the population(infants and children)is essential.Data sources:Papers were obtained from PubMed,Web of Science,and Google Scholar.Literature search words included:"nanoparticles","infants","children","exposure","toxicity",and all relevant cross-references.Results:A brief overview was conducted to 1)characterize potential exposure routes of ENPs for infants and children;2)describe the vulnerability and particular needs of infants and children about ENPs exposure;3)investigate the current knowledge about the potential health hazards of ENPs;and 4)provide suggestions for future research and regulations in ENP applications.Conclusions:As the manufacturing and use of ENPs become more widespread,directed and focused studies are necessary to measure actual exposure levels and to determine adverse health consequences in infants and children.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31671032)Key Project of Natural Science Foundation of the Higher Education Institutions of Jiangsu Province (17KJA310003)+2 种基金the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD)supported by the Recruitment Program of Global Youth Experts of ChinaStrategic Project for Developing Outstanding Institutes in Suzhou (MCMX201604)
文摘Bacterial infections may lead to diverse acute or chronic diseases （e.g., inflammation, sepsis and cancer）. New antibiotics against bacteria are rarely discovered in recent years, which necessitates the exploration of new antibacterial agents. Engineered nanomatetials {ENMs） have been extensively studied for antibacterial use because of their long lasting killing effects in wide spectra of bacteria. Graphene oxide （GO） is one of the most widely studied ENMs and exhibit strong bactericidal effects. The physicochemical properties of GO play important roles in bacterial killing by triggering a cascade of toxic events. Many studies have explored the signaling pathways of GO in bacteria. Although molecular initiating events （MIEs） of GO in bacteria dominate its killing efficiency as well as toxicity mechanisms, they have been rarely reviewed. In this report, we discussed the structure-activity relationships （SARs） involved in GOinduced bacterial killing and the MIEs including redox reaction with biomolecules, mechanical destruction of membranes and catalysis of extracellular metabolites. Furthermore, we summarized the clinical or commercial applications of GO-based antibacterial products and discussed their biosafety in mammal. Finally, we reviewed the remaining challenges in GO for antibacterial applications, which may offer new insights for the development of nano antibacterial studies.
文摘Over the past few years,nanomaterials toxicology has emerged as a new exciting field in which theoretical and experimental studies of toxicity of nanomaterials have become a focus,and the importance of carbon nanotubes(CNTs),graphene oxide(GO),quantum dots(QDs),magnetic nanoparticles(MNPs),and amorphous silica nanoparticles(ASN)as special nanomaterials to the fundamental development in biomedical engineering has begun to be recognized.In particular,interaction between nanomaterials and nucleic acids,proteins or cells,animals,environment,etc.has become a new interdisciplinary frontier,there is an increasing need for a more systematic study of the basic issues involved in nanomaterials toxicity and potential toxicity-reducing methods,great advances have been and are being made in nanomaterials’biological effects and application in disease diagnosis and therapy.Here we review some of the main advances in this field over past few years,and discuss about the concepts,issues,approaches,and challenges,with the aim of stimulating a broader interest in studying the toxicological mechanism of nanomaterials and potential toxicity-eliminating measurement.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21273181,21328501)the Tai-Shan Scholar Research Fund of Shandong Province+1 种基金the China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association project(DY125-15-T-08)the China Scholarship Council for their support
文摘In this research, we explored a rapid assessment of silver nanoparticles(Ag-NPs) neurotoxicity at a single-cell level. Traditional nanotoxicity assays on large cell-populations may hide the important heterogeneity of individual cells often found in neuronal cells. The development in the area of new nanomaterial discoveries is far ahead of the development of advanced tools to measure these materials' toxicity. Development of alternative approaches to assess nanomaterials toxicity rapidly, reliably, and accurately is desirable. Here, we present a chip-based, cell-integrated microwell-array device for rapid assessment of neurotoxicity of Ag-NPs by monitoring the exocytosis function of a PC12 cell. Results presented here confirm the dose-dependent toxicity of Ag-NPs and the immediate alteration of their exocytosis function when exposed to NPs.
文摘The toxicity of nanoparticles in a biological system is an integration of effects arising from surface functionali~ particle size, ionic dissolution, etc. This complexity suggests that generalization of a material＇s toxicity may be inappropriate. Moreover, from a medicinal point of view, toxicity can be used for treatment of malignant cells, such as cancer. In this stud~ highly biocompatible carbon nanodots （gCDs） were synthesized by reacting citric acid and urea in glycerol, which resulted in abundant hydroxyl functional groups on the particle surface. gCDs show excitation-dependent photoluminescence but with bright green to yellow emission. Importantly, a series of toxicity assessments showed that as-synthesized gCDs possessed exceptional biocompatibilities to various biological entities including 18 bacteria species, Petunia axillaris seedlings, and Artemia franciscana nauplii. Furthermore, the particles were shown to have low to no toxic effects on human embryonic kidney （HEK-293）, breast （MCF-7）, and oral squamous （CAL-27） carcinoma cell lines. Of particular interest, the gCDs displayed antiproliferative activities against ovarian choriocarcinoma cells （JAr/Jeg-3 cell lines）, which may be further explored for cancer drug discovery.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.22104073 and 22004048)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province of China(Nos.ZR2021QB119,2022HWYQ-079,and ZR2020QB171)the Youth Innovation Science and Technology Program of Shandong Provincial Universities(No.2021KJ100).
文摘As the continuous development of the industrial revolution,nanomaterials with excellent characteristics have been widely applied in various fields,greatly increasing the probability of human exposure to nanomaterials and the concerns about the potential nanotoxicity.Existing studies have shown that the toxicity of nanomaterials may be closely related to oxidative stress,inflammatory response,phagocytosis dysfunction,DNA damage,etc.Based on our focus,nanomaterials may cross the human barrier through various channels and disrupt various cell-cell junctions,while the integrity of cellular barrier is a necessary for the normal physiological function of various organs.However,until now,there is still a lack of systematic discussion in this field.This review illustrates the importance of cell-cell junctions in maintaining various organ functions and highlights the mechanism of various nanomaterials disrupt cell-cell junctions,as well as the possible damage to various organs,such as brain,eye,lung,breast,intestine,placenta,testis,heart,liver,kidney,skin,etc.Awareness of the potential negative effects of nanomaterials will help scientists deeply understand the limitations of nanotechnology,inspiring them to develop safer and more efficient nanomaterials for future personalized nanomedicine.
文摘RNA interference （RNAi） effectors such as small interfering RNA （siRNA） and micro RNA （miRNA） can selectively downregulate any gene implicated in the pathology of a disease. Therefore, RNAi-based therapies have immense potential for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. However, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies have revealed that these therapeutic agents have poor bioactivity due to a number of factors, including insufficient plasma drug levels, short plasma half-lives, renal clearance, and hepatic metabolism. Non-viral delivery may facilitate the clinical application of siRNA-based therapeutics by helping to overcome these barriers. Recently, the potential of gold nanoparticles （AuNPs） as multifunctional carriers for transporting drugs, proteins, and genetic materials has been demonstrated. In this review, some of the key properties of AuNPs relevant to siRNA delivery, such as physical properties and surface chemistry have been described. In addition, the ability of AuNP-based formulation strategies to successfully overcome delivery barriers associated with siRNA, and the potential for this material to translate into safe and effective nanomedicines are critically discussed.
