Review of In Vitro Toxicity of Nanoparticles and Nanorods—Part 2

Abstract

The specific use of engineered nanostructures in biomedical applications has become very attractive, due to their ability to interface and target specific cells and tissues to execute their functions. Additionally, there is continuous progress in research on new nanostructures with unique optical, magnetic, catalytic and electrochemical properties that can be exploited for therapeutic or diagnostic methods. On the other hand, as nanostructures become widely used in many different applications, the unspecific exposure of humans to them is also unavoidable. Therefore, studying and understanding the toxicity of such materials are of increasing importance. Previously published reviews regarding the toxicological effects of nanostructures focus mostly on the cytotoxicity of nanoparticles and their internalization, activated signaling pathways and cellular response. Here, the most recent studies on the invitro cytotoxicity of NPs, nanowires and nanorods for biomedical applications are reviewed and divided into two parts. The first part considers nonmagnetic metallic and magnetic nanostructures, while, the second part covers carbon structures and semiconductors. The factors influencing the toxicity of these nanostructures are elaborated to help elucidate the effects of these nanomaterials on cells, which is a prerequisite for their safe clinical use.

Carbon Nanomaterials Promote M1/M2 Macrophage Activation

“…Similar results on MWCNT-induced cytotoxicity have been shown also before, with concentrations ranging between 1 and 10 µg mL −1 on THP-1 and BEAS-2B cells. [20] We first focused on the possibility that CNM exposure would trigger patterns of cytokine secretion. For this, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IFNγ, and TNF were quantified in the cell culture supernatant after 48-h exposure.…”

Functionalization of Magnetic Nanowires for Active Targeting and Enhanced Cell-Killing Efficacy

“…1 Magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) are important nanomaterials, and due to their magnetic properties and biocompatibility, they have been widely used for cell separation, 2 cell guidance, 3 drug delivery, 4,5 and hyperthermia; 6,7 in biosensors; 8 and as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 9,10 Iron-based materials are preferred due to their ease of fabrication and coating, magnetic properties, 11 and ability to absorb an 808 nm laser and convert it into heat. 6 In addition, it is an approved material for clinical use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 12 making it attractive for biological applications.…”

Nickel Nanoparticles Induce the Synthesis of a Tumor-Related Polypeptide in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes

“…On the other hand, the cytotoxicity of NiNPs might be linked to the dissolution and release of metallic ions, as it was suggested for other metallic nanoparticles, such as AgNPs [41], which may also explain the observed linear dose-response curve (Figure 1). For instance, a similar behaviour that was found for ZnO NPs was related to the cytosolic concentration of Zn 2+ as well as to an apoptotic death pathway [42]. At this stage of research, the cause of cell death remains unknown, although apoptosis was shown to be the underlying mechanism used by ZnO NPs to induce cell death.…”