Metalloestrogenic Effects of Quantum Dots

Jain, Manasi; Vaisheva, Farida; Maysinger, Dušica

doi:10.2217/nnm.11.102

Cited by 20 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, mainly pollutants produced by incomplete combustion, were also shown to have estrogenic activity [100], for example, 3-Methylcholanthrene was shown to be estrogenic in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells [28]. Also, several metals were observed to have oestrogenic effects [101, 102], and certain cadmium-containing nanocrystals might even be potent estrogens [103]. …”

Section: Many Exposures Are Associated With Endocrine Disruptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Associated Disorders and Mechanisms of Action

Coster

Larebeke

2012

Journal of Environmental and Public Health

474

305

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The incidence and/or prevalence of health problems associated with endocrine-disruption have increased. Many chemicals have endocrine-disrupting properties, including bisphenol A, some organochlorines, polybrominated flame retardants, perfluorinated substances, alkylphenols, phthalates, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, alkylphenols, solvents, and some household products including some cleaning products, air fresheners, hair dyes, cosmetics, and sunscreens. Even some metals were shown to have endocrine-disrupting properties. Many observations suggesting that endocrine disruptors do contribute to cancer, diabetes, obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and infertility are listed in this paper. An overview is presented of mechanisms contributing to endocrine disruption. Endocrine disruptors can act through classical nuclear receptors, but also through estrogen-related receptors, membrane-bound estrogen-receptors, and interaction with targets in the cytosol resulting in activation of the Src/Ras/Erk pathway or modulation of nitric oxide. In addition, changes in metabolism of endogenous hormones, cross-talk between genomic and nongenomic pathways, cross talk with estrogen receptors after binding on other receptors, interference with feedback regulation and neuroendocrine cells, changes in DNA methylation or histone modifications, and genomic instability by interference with the spindle figure can play a role. Also it was found that effects of receptor activation can differ in function of the ligand.

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Section: Many Exposures Are Associated With Endocrine Disruptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Associated Disorders and Mechanisms of Action

Coster

Larebeke

2012

Journal of Environmental and Public Health

474

305

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…We examined this issue by monitoring the response of MCF-7 cells to CdTe QDs in concentrations not displaying significant nonestrogenic cytotoxicity. 26 CdTe…”

Section: Metalloestrogenic Effects Of Qdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…26 The doses of 17β-estradiol and Cd 2þ were those reported to elicit maximal estrogenic response. Green QDs elicited the most potent estrogenic effects in both prepubescent animals and in older, ovariectomized animals.…”

Section: Metalloestrogenic Effects Of Qdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantum Dot Cytotoxicity and Ways To Reduce It

2012

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T he dramatic increase in the use of nanoparticles (NP) in industry and research has raised questions about the potential toxicity of such materials. Unfortunately, not enough is known about how the novel, technologically-attractive properties of NPs correlate with the interactions that may take place at the nano/bio interface. The academic, industrial, and regulatory communities are actively seeking answers to the growing concerns on the impact of nanotechnology on humans. In this Account we adopt quantum dots (QDs) as an illustrative example of the difficulties associated with the development of a rational sciencebased approach to nanotoxicology.The optical properties of QDs are far superior to those of organic dyes in terms of emission and absorption bandwidths, quantum yield, and resistance to photobleaching. Moreover, QDs may be decorated with targeting moieties or drugs and, therefore, are candidates for site-specific medical imaging and for drug delivery, for example in cancer treatment. Earlier this year researchers demonstrated that QD-based imaging using monkeys caused no adverse effects although QDs accumulated in lymph nodes, bone marrow, liver, and spleen for up to 3 months after injection. Such persistence of QDs in live animals does, however, raise concerns about the safety of using QDs both in the laboratory and in the clinic.Researchers anticipate that QDs will be increasingly used not only in clinical applications but also in various manufactured products. For example, QD-solar cells have emerged as viable contenders to complement or replace dye-sensitized solar cells; CdTe/CdS thin film cells have already captured approximately 10 percent of the global market, and in addition, QDs can serve as components of sensors and as emitting materials in LEDs. Given the clear indications that QDs will inevitably become components of a wide range of manufactured and consumer products, researchers and policy makers need to understand the possible health risks associated with exposure to QDs.In this Account, we initially review the known mechanisms by which QDs can damage cells, including oxidative stress elicited by reactive oxygen species (ROS). We discuss lesser-known impairments induced in cells by nanomolar to picomolar concentrations of QDs, which imply that cadmium-containing QDs can exert genotoxic, epigenetic, and metalloestrogenic effects. These observations strongly suggest that minute concentrations of QDs could be sufficient to cause long lasting, even transgenerational, effects. We also consider various modes by which humans could be exposed to QDs in their work or through the environment. Although considerable advances have been made in enhancing the stability and overall quality of QDs, over time they can partially degrade in the environment or in biological systems, and eventually cause small, but cumulative undesirable effects.A combination of toxicological, genetic, epigenetic and imaging approaches is required to create comprehensive guidelines for evaluating the nanotoxicity of nanomate...

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“…Several NPs can adversely affect female reproductive tract development and function, including cytotoxic effects on ovarian structural cells, impaired oogenesis and follicle maturation, altered normal sex hormone levels, and accelerated the onset of puberty [18][19][20]. Compared to the peripheral effects, the direct effects of ENMs on central regulation of reproductive processes have not been specifically investigated up to now.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%