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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 October 2021) | Viewed by 15403

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Dr. Marcin Kruszewski

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Guest Editor

Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Warsaw, Poland
Interests: nanotoxicology; oxidative stress; free radicals; metal ions; mitochondria; cell signaling; NFkB

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The safety of nanomaterials, despite the benefits they bring to the society, is still a matter of debate. Nanomaterials (NMs) can easily enter the human body and cross all intrinsic barriers, making them very useful as drug delivery vectors; on the other hand, nanomaterials may interact with biological systems and induce potentially harmful effects. Presently, there is increasing concern about the detrimental health effects due to NM exposure. NMs have been reported to induce oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammation, and many other adverse effects which are known to be crucial for the development of lifestyle diseases.

Mitochondria malfunction, leading to the generation of free radicals and subsequent oxidative stress, seems to be a major cause of NM toxicity. The disturbance of cellular redox equilibrium may have differing effects depending on the magnitude of oxidative stress—from triggering signal transduction via low concentrations of ROS through to the induction of oxidative damage to cellular components and organelles as well as the induction of cell death resulting from immense ROS production. This, in turn, usually affects tissue and organ function, often leading to inflammation and tissue necrosis.

This Special Issue is focused on the in vitro and in vivo interactions of nanomaterials with biological systems at a different level of organization, starting from biological macromolecules through to cells, tissues, and up to the whole organism.

It is my pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue. Full papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome.

Dr. Marcin Kruszewski
Guest Editor

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Keywords

nanomaterial toxicity
genotoxicity
health effects
oxidative stress
free radicals
cell signaling

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 3905 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of a Nanostructured Titanium Surface on Gingival Cell Adhesion, Viability and Properties against P. gingivalis

by Khaled Mukaddam, Monika Astasov-Frauenhoffer, Elizaveta Fasler-Kan, Laurent Marot, Marcin Kisiel, Ernst Meyer, Joachim Köser, Marcus Waser, Michael M. Bornstein and Sebastian Kühl

Materials 2021, 14(24), 7686; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14247686 - 13 Dec 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2572

Abstract

Objectives: The transgingival part of titanium implants is either machined or polished. Cell-surface interactions as a result of nano-modified surfaces could help gingival fibroblast adhesion and support antibacterial properties by means of the physico-mechanical aspects of the surfaces. The aim of the present study was to determine how a nanocavity titanium surface affects the viability and adhesion of human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1). Additionally, its properties against Porphyromonas gingivalis were tested. Material and Methods: Two different specimens were evaluated: commercially available machined titanium discs (MD) and nanostructured discs (ND). To obtain ND, machined titanium discs with a diameter of 15 mm were etched with a 1:1 mixture of 98% H₂SO₄ and 30% H₂O₂ (piranha etching) for 5 h at room temperature. Surface topography characterization was performed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Samples were exposed to HGF-1 to assess the effect on cell viability and adhesion, which were compared between the two groups by means of MTT assay, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. After incubation with P. gingivalis, antibacterial properties of MD and ND were determined by conventional culturing, live/dead staining and SEM. Results: The present study successfully created a nanostructured surface on commercially available machined titanium discs. The etching process created cavities with a 10–20 nm edge-to-edge diameter. MD and ND show similar adhesion forces equal to about 10–30 nN. The achieved nanostructuration reduced the cell alignment along machining structures and did not negatively affect the proliferation of gingival fibroblasts when compared to MD. No differences in the expression levels of both actin and vinculin proteins, after incubation on MD or ND, were observed. However, the novel ND surface failed to show antibacterial effects against P. gingivalis. Conclusion: Antibacterial effects against P. gingivalis cannot be achieved with nanocavities within a range of 10–20 nm and based on the piranha etching procedure. The proliferation of HGF-1 and the expression levels and localization of the structural proteins actin and vinculin were not influenced by the surface nanostructuration. Further studies on the strength of the gingival cell adhesion should be performed in the future. Clinical relevance: Since osseointegration is well investigated, mucointegration is an important part of future research and developments. Little is known about how nanostructures on the machined transgingival part of an implant could possibly influence the surrounding tissue. Targeting titanium surfaces with improved antimicrobial properties requires extensive preclinical basic research to gain clinical relevance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of Nanomaterials on Cellular Systems)

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19 pages, 3922 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Statistical Study of Nonthermal Plasma-Assisted ZnO Coating of Cotton Fabric through Ultrasonic-Assisted Green Synthesis for Improved Self-Cleaning and Antimicrobial Properties

by Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Y. Naz, Muhammad Saleem, Malik Tanawush, Adam Głowacz, Witold Glowacz, Saifur Rahman, Mater H. Mahnashi, Yahya S. Alqahtani, Bandar A. Alyami, Ali O. Alqarni and Mabkhoot A. Alsaiari

Materials 2021, 14(22), 6998; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14226998 - 18 Nov 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2115

Abstract

Nonthermal plasma processing is a dry, environment-friendly and chemical-free method of improving the wettability, adhesion, self-cleaning and dying quality of fabrics without affecting their bulk properties. This study presents a green synthesis and coating method for the immobilization of nanoparticles of ZnO on the nonthermal plasma functionalized cotton fabric. The self-cleaning activity of ZnO-coated cotton was then optimized statistically. The ultraviolet protection and antimicrobial activity of the optimized and a control sample were also elaborated in this study. Psidium guajava Linn (guava) plant extract and zinc chloride were used in the ultrasonic biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles and concurrent immobilization over plasma functionalized cotton. Sodium hydroxide was used as a reaction accelerator. Statistical complete composite design (CCD) based on the amount of ZnCl₂, NaOH and plasma exposure time was used to optimize the role of input parameters on the self-cleaning ability of the coated cotton. Methylene blue in water was used as a sample pollutant in the self-cleaning study. The ZnO-coated cotton showed notably high self-cleaning activity of 94% and a UV protection factor of 69.87. The antimicrobial activity against E. Coli and S. Aureus bacteria was also appreciably high compared to the control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of Nanomaterials on Cellular Systems)

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13 pages, 1905 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differential Action of Silver Nanoparticles on ABCB1 (MDR1) and ABCC1 (MRP1) Activity in Mammalian Cell Lines

by Damian Krzyzanowski, Marcin Kruszewski and Agnieszka Grzelak

Materials 2021, 14(12), 3383; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14123383 - 18 Jun 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1926

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), due to their unique properties have been receiving immense attention in recent years. In addition to their antibacterial and antifungal activities, AgNPs also cause apoptosis, mitochondria disfunction, nucleic acid damage and show potent anticancer properties in both multidrug resistance (MDR) and sensitive tumors. The MDR phenomenon, caused by the presence of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins, is responsible for the failure of chemotherapy. Thus, investigating the influence of widely used AgNPs on ABC transporters is crucial. In the present study, we have examined the cytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles of a nominal size of 20 nm (Ag20) on the cell lines of different tissue origins. In addition, we have checked the ATP-binding cassette transporters’ activity and expression under AgNP exposure. The results indicate that Ag20 shows a toxic effect on tested cells, as well as modulating the expression and transport activity of ABC proteins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of Nanomaterials on Cellular Systems)

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13 pages, 6287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Ag Nanoparticles and CdTe Quantum Dots on Expression and Function of Receptors Involved in Amyloid-β Uptake by BV-2 Microglial Cells

by Katarzyna Sikorska, Iwona Grądzka, Iwona Wasyk, Kamil Brzóska, Tomasz M. Stępkowski, Malwina Czerwińska and Marcin K. Kruszewski

Materials 2020, 13(14), 3227; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13143227 - 20 Jul 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2828

Abstract

Microglial cells clear the brain of pathogens and harmful debris, including amyloid-β (Aβ) deposits that are formed during Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We studied the expression of Msr1, Ager and Cd36 receptors involved in Aβ uptake and expression of Cd33 protein, which is considered a risk factor in AD. The effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) and cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTeQD) on the expression of the above receptors and Aβ uptake by microglial cells was investigated. Absorption of Aβ and NP was confirmed by confocal microscopy. AgNP, but not CdTeQD, caused a decrease in Aβ accumulation. By using a specific inhibitor—polyinosinic acid—we demonstrated that Aβ and AgNP compete for scavenger receptors. Real-time PCR showed up-regulation of Cd33 and Cd36 gene expression after treatment with CdTeQD for 24 h. Analysis of the abundance of the receptors on the cell surface revealed that AgNP treatment significantly reduced the presence of Msr1, Cd33, Ager and Cd36 receptors (6 and 24 h), whereas CdTeQD increased the levels of Msr1 and Cd36 (24 h). To summarize, we showed that AgNP uptake competes with Aβ uptake by microglial cells and consequently can impair the removal of the aggregates. In turn, CdTeQD treatment led to the accumulation of proinflammatory Cd36 protein on the cell surface. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of Nanomaterials on Cellular Systems)

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18 pages, 1675 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Products of Lipid Peroxidation as a Factor in the Toxic Effect of Silver Nanoparticles

by Patrycja Paciorek, Mariusz Żuberek and Agnieszka Grzelak

Materials 2020, 13(11), 2460; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13112460 - 28 May 2020

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 2890

Abstract

In our previous study we have shown that nanoparticles have different effects depending on the energy metabolism of the cell, which is an important factor in the context of oncology and diabetes. Here we assess the influence of AgNPs on cellular lipid components in varying glucose concentrations. To assess the effect of silver nanoparticles on cell lipids, we measured cell viability, the fluidity of the cell membranes, the content of amino groups in proteins, the level of lipid peroxidation products, the concentration of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), and the concentration of lipid peroxides. The obtained results show differences in the formation of lipid peroxidation products in cells exposed to oxidative stress induced by nanoparticles. In addition, we have shown that the metabolic state of the cell is a factor significantly affecting this process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of Nanomaterials on Cellular Systems)

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18 pages, 4254 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Susceptibility of HepG2 Cells to Silver Nanoparticles in Combination with other Metal/Metal Oxide Nanoparticles

by Sylwia Męczyńska-Wielgosz, Maria Wojewódzka, Magdalena Matysiak-Kucharek, Magdalena Czajka, Barbara Jodłowska-Jędrych, Marcin Kruszewski and Lucyna Kapka-Skrzypczak

Materials 2020, 13(10), 2221; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13102221 - 12 May 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2335

Abstract

The fast-growing use of nanomaterials in everyday life raises the question about the safety of their use. Unfortunately, the risks associated with the use of nanoparticles (NPs) have not yet been fully assessed. The majority of studies conducted so far at the molecular and cellular level have focused on a single-type exposure, assuming that NPs act as the only factor. In the natural environment, however, we are likely exposed to a mixture of nanoparticles, whose interactions may modulate their impact on living organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicological effects caused by in vitro exposure of HepG2 cells to AgNPs in combination with AuNPs, CdTe quantum dot (QD) NPs, TiO₂NPs, or SiO₂NPs. The results showed that the toxicity of nanoparticle binary mixtures depended on the type and ratio of NPs used. In general, the toxicity of binary mixtures of NPs was lower than the sum of toxicities of NPs alone (protective effect). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of Nanomaterials on Cellular Systems)

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