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Toxicity Evaluation of Nanoparticles

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A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Nanoscience and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 18346

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Prof. Dr. Bing Yan

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Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Interests: nanomedicine; nanotoxicology; environmental safety; environmental toxicology; theranostics; imaging; nanoparticle library; nanoparticle modification; surface modification; chemical biology
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Dr. Rongrong Liu

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Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay Area, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Interests: nanomaterials; nanotoxicity; fluorescence imaging; environmental microbiology; cell toxicology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The increasing production and application of nanomaterials inevitably release these materials into the environment, causing adverse impacts on the eco-systems and human health. Such toxicities must be reliably assessed, mechanisms elucidated, and risk predicted. Therefore, it is essential to develop powerful methods for evaluation of nanotoxicity, such as in vitro methods (e.g. cell based or cell free testing), animals tests (e.g. zebra fish), and computational modeling. Given this background, this Special Issue will assemble high-quality original research and reviews papers highlighting investigations on nanotoxicity using various biological models and in-depth mechanism elucidation. This special issue will also focus on applications of advanced machine learning, deep learning algorithms in nanotoxicity modeling and prediction, and molecular simulation in elucidation of the mechanisms for emerging nanomaterials.

Prof. Dr. Bing Yan
Dr. Rongrong Liu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

nanomaterials
nanomedicine
nanotoxicity
nanoparticle modification
mechanistic toxicity
environmental pollution
environmental toxicology
nano chemistry
cell toxicology
molecular toxicology
nano functionalization

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 3644 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Pd (II) Reduction Mechanisms in Bacillus megaterium Y-4 Revealed by Proteomic Analysis

by Yuan Chen, Jiaxing Wang, Daidi Chen, Boxi Wang, Jinchuan Wu, Rongrong Liu and Qingxin Li

Nanomaterials 2024, 14(6), 512; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14060512 - 12 Mar 2024

Viewed by 697

Abstract

Many studies have been conducted on the microbial reduction of Pd (II) to palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NPs) due to the environmental friendliness, low cost, and the decreased toxicity of Pd (II) ions. In this study, we investigate the reduction mechanism of Pd (II) by Bacillus megaterium Y-4 through proteomics. The data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD049711. Our results revealed that B. megaterium Y-4 may use the endogenous electron donor (NAD(P)H) generated by nirB, tdh, and fabG and reductase to reduce Pd (II) to Pd-NPs. The expression levels of fabG, tdh, gudB, and rocG that generate NAD(P)H were further increased, and the number of reduced Pd-NPs was further increased with the exogenous electron donor sodium formate. Endogenous electron mediators such as quinones and flavins in B. megaterium Y-4 can further enhance Pd (II) reduction. The findings provided invaluable information regarding the reduction mechanism of Pd (II) by B. megaterium Y-4 at the proteome level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity Evaluation of Nanoparticles)

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13 pages, 3516 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interaction of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles and Ionic Cerium with Duckweed (Lemna minor L.): Uptake, Distribution, and Phytotoxicity

by Yang Liu, Xuepeng Zhao, Yuhui Ma, Wanqin Dai, Zhuda Song, Yun Wang, Jiaqi Shen, Xiao He, Fang Yang and Zhiyong Zhang

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(18), 2523; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13182523 - 08 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 793

Abstract

As one of the most widely used nanomaterials, CeO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) might be released into the aquatic environment. In this paper, the interaction of CeO₂ NPs and Ce³⁺ ions (0~10 mg/L) with duckweed (Lemna minor L.) was investigated. CeO₂ NPs significantly inhibited the root elongation of duckweed at concentrations higher than 0.1 mg/L, while the inhibition threshold of Ce³⁺ ions was 0.02 mg/L. At high doses, both reduced photosynthetic pigment contents led to cell death and induced stomatal deformation, but the toxicity of Ce³⁺ ions was greater than that of CeO₂ NPs at the same concentration. According to the in situ distribution of Ce in plant tissues by μ-XRF, the intensity of Ce signal was in the order of root > old frond > new frond, suggesting that roots play a major role in the uptake of Ce. The result of XANES showed that 27.6% of Ce(IV) was reduced to Ce(III) in duckweed treated with CeO₂ NPs. We speculated that the toxicity of CeO₂ NPs to duckweed was mainly due to its high sensitivity to the released Ce³⁺ ions. To our knowledge, this is the first study on the toxicity of CeO₂ NPs to an aquatic higher plant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity Evaluation of Nanoparticles)

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22 pages, 6396 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles: Effects on Development and Male Reproductive System

by Elena Maria Scalisi, Roberta Pecoraro, Antonio Salvaggio, Fabiano Capparucci, Cosimo Gianluca Fortuna, Massimo Zimbone, Giuliana Impellizzeri and Maria Violetta Brundo

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(11), 1783; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13111783 - 31 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1216

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) are used intensively. Thanks to their extremely small size (1–100 nm), TiO₂-NPs are more absorbable by living organisms; consequently, they can cross the circulatory system and then be distributed in various organs including the reproductive organs. We have evaluated the possible toxic effect of TiO₂-NPs on embryonic development and the male reproductive system using Danio rerio as an organism model. TiO₂-NPs (P25, Degussa) were tested at concentrations of 1 mg/L, 2 mg/L, and 4 mg/L. TiO₂-NPs did not interfere with the embryonic development of Danio rerio, however, in the male gonads the TiO₂-NPs caused an alteration of the morphological/structural organization. The immunofluorescence investigation showed positivity for biomarkers of oxidative stress and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), both confirmed by the results of qRT-PCR. In addition, an increased expression of the gene responsible for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone was found. Since Leydig cells are mainly involved in this activity, an increase in gene activity can be explained by the ability of TiO₂-NPs to act as endocrine disruptors, and, therefore, with androgenic activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity Evaluation of Nanoparticles)

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14 pages, 1758 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Form-Dependent Toxicity of Silver Nanomaterials in Rainbow Trout Gills

by Joëlle Auclair, Patrice Turcotte, Christian Gagnon, Caroline Peyrot, Kevin James Wilkinson and François Gagné

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(8), 1356; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13081356 - 13 Apr 2023

Viewed by 850

Abstract

The toxicity of the form of nanoparticles is presently not well understood. The purpose of this study consists in comparing the toxicity of various forms of silver nanoparticles (nAg) in juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Juveniles were exposed to various forms of polyvinyl-coated nAg of similar size for 96 h at 15 °C. After the exposure period, the gills were isolated and analyzed for Ag uptake/distribution, oxidative stress, glucose metabolism, and genotoxicity. Higher levels of Ag were detected in gills in fish exposed to dissolved Ag followed by spherical, cubic, and prismatic nAg. Size-exclusion chromatography of gill fractions revealed that the dissolution of nAg was observed for all forms of nAg where prismatic nAg released more important levels of Ag in the protein pool as in fish exposed to dissolved Ag as well. The aggregation of nAg was more important for cubic nAg in respect of the other forms of nAg. The data revealed that lipid peroxidation was closely associated with protein aggregation and viscosity. Biomarkers revealed changes in lipid/oxidative stress and genotoxicity, which were related to the loss of protein aggregation and inflammation (NO₂ levels), respectively. In general, the observed effects were found for all forms of nAg where the effects from prismatic nAg were generally higher than for spherical and cubic nAg. The strong relationship between genotoxicity and inflammation response suggests the participation of the immune system in the observed responses of juvenile fish gills. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity Evaluation of Nanoparticles)

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8 pages, 252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Assessment of the Oral and Inhalation Acute Toxicity of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles in Rats

by Tara Lyons-Darden, Jason L. Blum, Mark W. Schooley, Melissa Ellis, Jennifer Durando, Daniel Merrill and Adriana R. Oller

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(2), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13020261 - 07 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1169

Abstract

Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) have been the focus of many toxicity studies. However, acute toxicity studies that identify toxicological dose descriptors, such as an LC₅₀ or LD₅₀, are lacking. In this paper, the acute toxicity of NiO NPs was evaluated in albino-derived Sprague-Dawley rats through OECD guideline studies conducted by both the oral and inhalation routes of exposure. The animals were assessed for mortality, body weight, behavioral observations, and gross necropsy. Results from previously conducted (unpublished) acute inhalation studies with larger NiO microparticles (MPs) are also included for comparison. Mortality, the primary endpoint in acute toxicity studies, was not observed for rats exposed to NiO NPs via either the oral or inhalation exposure routes, with a determined LD₅₀ of >5000 mg/kg and an LC₅₀ > 5.42 mg/L, respectively. Our results suggest that these NiO NPs do not exhibit serious acute toxicity in rats or warrant an acute toxicity classification under the current GHS classification criteria. This aligns with similar results for NiO MPs from this and previously published studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity Evaluation of Nanoparticles)

18 pages, 1634 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Systemic Toxicity, Genotoxicity, and Early Phase Hepatocarcinogenicity of Iron (III)-Tannic Acid Nanoparticles in Rats

by Chi Be Hlaing, Arpamas Chariyakornkul, Chalermchai Pilapong, Charatda Punvittayagul, Somdet Srichairatanakool and Rawiwan Wongpoomchai

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(7), 1040; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12071040 - 22 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1977

Abstract

Iron-tannic acid nanoparticles (Fe-TA NPs) presented MRI contrast enhancement in both liver cancer cells and preneoplastic rat livers, while also exhibiting an anti-proliferative effect via enhanced autophagic death of liver cancer cells. Hence, a toxicity assessment of Fe-TA NPs was carried out in the present study. Acute and systemic toxicity of intraperitoneal Fe-TA NPs administration was investigated via a single dose of 55 mg/kg body weight (bw). Doses were then repeated 10 times within a range of 0.22 to 5.5 mg/kg bw every 3 days in rats. Furthermore, clastogenicity was assessed by rat liver micronucleus assay. Carcinogenicity was evaluated by medium-term carcinogenicity assay using glutathione S-transferase placental form positive foci as a preneoplastic marker, while three doses ranging from 0.55 to 17.5 mg/kg bw were administered 10 times weekly via intraperitoneum. Our study found that the LD₅₀ value of Fe-TA NPs was greater than 55 mg/kg bw. Repeated dose administration of Fe-TA NPs over a period of 28 days and 10 weeks revealed no obvious signs of systemic toxicity, clastogenicity, and hepatocarcinogenicity. Furthermore, Fe-TA NPs did not alter liver function or serum iron status, however, increased liver iron content at certain dose in rats. Notably, antioxidant response was observed when a dose of 17.5 mg/kg bw was given to rats. Accordingly, our study found no signs of toxicity, genotoxicity, and early phase hepatocarcinogenicity of Fe-TA NPs in rats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity Evaluation of Nanoparticles)

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13 pages, 6724 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Study on Nanotoxicity in Human Primary and Cancer Cells

by In Young Kim, Minjeong Kwak, Jaeseok Kim, Tae Geol Lee and Min Beom Heo

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(6), 993; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12060993 - 17 Mar 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2008

Abstract

Nanomaterial toxicity tests using normal and cancer cells may yield markedly different results. Here, nanomaterial toxicity between cancer and primary human cells was compared to determine the basic cell line selection criteria for nanomaterial toxicity analyses. Specifically, we exposed two cancer (A549 and HepG2) and two normal cell lines (NHBE and HH) cell lines to SiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) and evaluated the cytotoxicity (MTS assay), cell death mode, and intracellular NP retention. MTS assay results revealed higher sensitivity of HH cells to SiO₂ NPs than HepG2 cells, while no difference was observed between NHBE and A549 cells. In addition, SiO₂ NPs primarily induced necrosis in all the cell lines. Moreover, we evaluated NP accumulation by treating the cell lines with fluorescein-isothiocyanate-labeled SiO₂ NPs. After 48 h of treatment, less than 10% of A549 and HepG2 cells and more than 30% of NHBE and HH cells contained the labeled NPs. Collectively, our results suggest that cell viability, death mode, and intracellular compound accumulation could be assessed using cancer cells. However, the outcomes of certain investigations, such as intracellular NP retention, may differ between cancer and normal cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity Evaluation of Nanoparticles)

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Review

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27 pages, 24595 KiB

Open AccessReview

Carbonaceous Nanoparticle Air Pollution: Toxicity and Detection in Biological Samples

by Imran Aslam and Maarten B. J. Roeffaers

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(22), 3948; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12223948 - 09 Nov 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2543

Abstract

Among the different air pollutants, particulate matter (PM) is of great concern due to its abundant presence in the atmosphere, which results in adverse effects on the environment and human health. The different components of PM can be classified based on their physicochemical properties. Carbonaceous particles (CPs) constitute a major fraction of ultrafine PM and have the most harmful effects. Herein, we present a detailed overview of the main components of CPs, e.g., carbon black (CB), black carbon (BC), and brown carbon (BrC), from natural and anthropogenic sources. The emission sources and the adverse effects of CPs on the environment and human health are discussed. Particularly, we provide a detailed overview of the reported toxic effects of CPs in the human body, such as respiratory effects, cardiovascular effects, neurodegenerative effects, carcinogenic effects, etc. In addition, we also discuss the challenges faced by and limitations of the available analytical techniques for the qualitative and quantitative detection of CPs in atmospheric and biological samples. Considering the heterogeneous nature of CPs and biological samples, a detailed overview of different analytical techniques for the detection of CPs in (real-exposure) biological samples is also provided. This review provides useful insights into the classification, toxicity, and detection of CPs in biological samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity Evaluation of Nanoparticles)

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26 pages, 2245 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Experimental and Computational Nanotoxicology—Complementary Approaches for Nanomaterial Hazard Assessment

by Valérie Forest

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(8), 1346; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12081346 - 14 Apr 2022

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2935

Abstract

The growing development and applications of nanomaterials lead to an increasing release of these materials in the environment. The adverse effects they may elicit on ecosystems or human health are not always fully characterized. Such potential toxicity must be carefully assessed with the underlying mechanisms elucidated. To that purpose, different approaches can be used. First, experimental toxicology consisting of conducting in vitro or in vivo experiments (including clinical studies) can be used to evaluate the nanomaterial hazard. It can rely on variable models (more or less complex), allowing the investigation of different biological endpoints. The respective advantages and limitations of in vitro and in vivo models are discussed as well as some issues associated with experimental nanotoxicology. Perspectives of future developments in the field are also proposed. Second, computational nanotoxicology, i.e., in silico approaches, can be used to predict nanomaterial toxicity. In this context, we describe the general principles, advantages, and limitations especially of quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models and grouping/read-across approaches. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of these different approaches based on examples and highlight their complementarity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity Evaluation of Nanoparticles)

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15 pages, 3669 KiB

Open AccessReview

Safety Assessment of 2D MXenes: In Vitro and In Vivo

by Jialong Wu, Yanyan Yu and Gaoxing Su

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(5), 828; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12050828 - 01 Mar 2022

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2670

Abstract

MXenes, representing a new class of two-dimensional nanomaterial, have attracted intense interest in a variety of fields as supercapacitors, catalysts, and sensors, and in biomedicine. The assessment of the safety of MXenes and related materials in biological systems is thus an issue that requires significant attention. In this review, the toxic effects of MXenes and their derivatives are summarized through the discussion of current research into their behaviors in mammalian cells, animals and plants. Numerous studies have shown that MXenes have generally low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility. However, a few studies have indicated that MXenes are toxic to stem cells and embryos. These in vitro and in vivo toxic effects are strongly associated with the dose of material, the cell type, the mode of exposure, and the specific type of MXene. In addition, surface modifications alter the toxic effects of MXenes. The stability of MXenes must be considered during toxicity evaluation, as degradation can lead to potentially toxic byproducts. Although research concerning the toxicity of MXenes is limited, this review provides an overview of the current understanding of interactions of MXenes with biological systems and suggests future research directions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity Evaluation of Nanoparticles)

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