Small and dangerous? Potential toxicity mechanisms of common exposure particles and nanoparticles

Hewitt, Rachel E.; Chappell, Helen; Powell, Jonathan J.

doi:10.1016/j.cotox.2020.01.006

Cited by 36 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 41 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Nanoplastic contamination in Mediterranean marine ecosystems is still unknown, although a first study from Schirinzi et al (2019) reported traces of nano-sized PS, in the range of 1.08 -136.7 ng L −1 in estuarine and surface waters of the West Mediterranean Sea. Such findings raise concern due to the unique nanoscale properties of nanoplastics (i.e., high surfacevolume ratio associated with remarkable biological, chemical and physical reactivity) that allow them to interact with the cellular machinery (Hewitt et al, 2020). As a result of the weathering process of plastic debris, once released in sea water (e.g., changes in crystallinity and surface oxidation), nanoplastics are expected to acquire oxygenated moieties, such as carboxylic groups (-COOH) and thus a negative surface charge (Fotopoulou and Karapanagioti, 2012;Gigault et al, 2016;Andrady, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interplay Between Nanoplastics and the Immune System of the Mediterranean Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The present study highlights for the first time the interplay between model nanoplastics, such as the carboxyl-modified polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-COOH, 60 nm) NPs and the coelomocytes of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, a benthic grazer widely distributed in Mediterranean coastal area, upon acute in vitro exposure (4 h) (5 and 25 μg mL–1). Insight into PS-COOH trafficking (uptake and clearance) and effects on immune cell functions (i.e., cell viability, lysosomal membrane stability, and phagocytosis) are provided. Dynamic Light Scattering analysis reveals that PS NP suspensions in CF undergo a quick agglomeration, more pronounced for PS-COOH (608.3 ± 43 nm) compared to PS-NH2 (329.2 ± 5 nm). However, both PS NPs are still found as nano-scale agglomerates in CF after 4 h of exposure, as shown by the polydispersity index > 0.3 associated with the presence of different PS NP size populations in the CF. The observed changes in ζ-potential upon suspension in CF (–11.1 ± 3 mV and –12.1 ± 4 mV for PS-COOH and PS-NH2, respectively) confirm the formation of a bio-corona on both PS NPs. Optical fluorescence microscopy and fluorimetric analyses using fluorescently labeled PS-COOH (60 nm) reveal a fast uptake of PS-COOH primarily by phagocytes within 1 h of exposure. Upon transfer to PS NP-free CF, a significant decrease in fluorescence signal is observed, suggesting a fast cell clearance. No effect on cell viability is observed after 4 h of exposure to PS-COOH, however a significant decrease in lysosomal membrane stability (23.7 ± 4.8%) and phagocytic capacity (63.43 ± 3.4%) is observed at the highest concentration tested. Similarly, a significant reduction in cell viability, lysosomal membrane stability and phagocytosis is found upon exposure to PS-NH2 (25 μg mL–1), which confirms the important role of surface charges in triggering immunotoxicity. Overall, our results show that, although being quickly internalized, PS-COOH can be easily eliminated by the coelomocytes but may still be able to trigger an immune response upon long-term exposure scenarios. Taking into account that sediments along Mediterranean coasts are a sink for micro- and nanoplastics, the latter can reach concentrations able to exceed toxicity-thresholds for marine benthic species.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interplay Between Nanoplastics and the Immune System of the Mediterranean Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Toxicological investigations with ENM have demonstrated that their adverse effects strongly depend on their physicochemical properties including solubility, (agglomerate) size, shape, and surface reactivity. − The impact of the modification of such properties on the toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of ENM in biological systems is nowadays well recognized . In relation to inhalation exposure, the effects of lung lining fluid on translocation and toxicity have been revealed for various ENM. − Within the gastrointestinal tract, ENM are subject to much more complex environments and processes that potentially impact their physicochemical properties and thereby affect their interactions with toxicologically relevant target cells.…”

Section: The Intestine As Target Organ For Enm: Lessons From the Lungmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advanced In Vitro Testing Strategies and Models of the Intestine for Nanosafety Research

Kämpfer

Busch

Schins

2020

Chem. Res. Toxicol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is growing concern about the potential adverse effects of oral exposure to engineered nanomaterials (ENM). Recent years have witnessed major developments in and advancement of intestinal in vitro models for nanosafety evaluation. The present paper reviews the key factors that should be considered for inclusion in nonanimal alternative testing approaches to reliably reflect the in vivo dynamics of the physicochemical properties of ENM as well the intestinal physiology and morphology. Currently available models range from simple cell line-based monocultures to advanced 3D systems and organoids. In addition, in vitro approaches exist to replicate the mucous barrier, digestive processes, luminal flow, peristalsis, and interactions of ENM with the intestinal microbiota. However, while the inclusion of a multitude of individual factors/components of particle (pre)treatment, exposure approach, and cell model approximates in vivo-like conditions, such increasing complexity inevitably affects the system’s robustness and reproducibility. The selection of the individual modules to build the in vitro testing strategy should be driven and justified by the specific purpose of the study and, not least, the intended or actual application of the investigated ENM. Studies that address health hazards of ingested ENM likely require different approaches than research efforts to unravel the fundamental interactions or toxicity mechanisms of ENM in the intestine. Advanced reliable and robust in vitro models of the intestine, especially when combined in an integrated testing approach, offer great potential to further improve the field of nanosafety research.

show abstract

“…Importantly, NPs can penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB), blood-gas barrier, and placental barrier [ 1 – 3 ]. Owing to the small size and large surface area, NPs have higher toxicity potential compared with the larger particles of the same material [ 4 , 5 ]. Therefore, they can accumulate in various organs and tissues and generate toxicological effects [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aluminium oxide nanoparticles compromise spatial memory performance and proBDNF-mediated neuronal function in the hippocampus of rats

Liu

2022

Part Fibre Toxicol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Alumina nanoparticles (aluminaNPs), which are widely used in a range of daily and medical fields, have been shown to penetrate blood-brain barrier, and distribute and accumulate in different brain areas. Although oral treatment of aluminaNPs induces hippocampus-dependent learning and memory impairments, characteristic effects and exact mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here, male adult rats received a single bilateral infusion of aluminaNPs (10 or 20 µg/kg of body weight) into the hippocampal region, and their behavioral performance and neural function were assessed. Results The results indicated that the intra-hippocampus infusions at both doses of aluminaNPs did not cause spatial learning inability but memory deficit in the water maze task. This impairment was attributed to the effects of aluminaNP on memory consolidation phase through activation of proBDNF/RhoA pathway. Inhibition of the increased proBDNF by hippocampal infusions of p75NTR antagonist could effectively rescue the memory impairment. Incubation of aluminaNPs exaggerated GluN2B-dependent LTD induction with no effects on LTD expression in hippocampal slices. AluminaNP could also depress the amplitude of NMDA-GluN2B EPSCs. Meanwhile, increased reactive oxygen specie production was reduced by blocking proBDNF-p75NTR pathway in the hippocampal homogenates. Furthermore, the neuronal correlate of memory behavior was drastically weakened in the aluminaNP-infused groups. The dysfunction of synaptic and neuronal could be obviously mitigated by blocking proBDNF receptor p75NTR, implying the involvement of proBDNF signaling in aluminaNP-impaired memory process. Conclusions Taken together, our findings provide the first evidence that the accumulation of aluminaNPs in the hippocampus exaggeratedly activates proBDNF signaling, which leads to neural and memory impairments.

show abstract

Small and dangerous? Potential toxicity mechanisms of common exposure particles and nanoparticles

Abstract: This is a repository copy of Small and dangerous? Potential toxicity mechanisms of common exposure particles and nanoparticles.

Cited by 36 publications

References 41 publications

Interplay Between Nanoplastics and the Immune System of the Mediterranean Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus

Interplay Between Nanoplastics and the Immune System of the Mediterranean Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus

Advanced In Vitro Testing Strategies and Models of the Intestine for Nanosafety Research

Aluminium oxide nanoparticles compromise spatial memory performance and proBDNF-mediated neuronal function in the hippocampus of rats

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About