Towards a Safe Nanotechnology: Understanding and Controlling Immunomodulatory and Toxicological Properties of Nanomaterials

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Biology and Medicines".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 September 2023) | Viewed by 4430

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National Research Council Italy - CNR, Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics - ISTEC, Via Granarolo 64, I-48018 Faenza, RA, Italy
Interests: nanoscience; Bayesian risk assessment; biomimetic membranes; nano-electrochemistry
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Human and environmental exposure to nanomaterials has become an unavoidable reality. The expansion of nanotechnology has brought products of daily application to the market which use nanoparticles as functional or supporting materials. Understanding the interactions of nanomaterials with biological systems is crucial to anticipate biological risks and to establish criteria for designing as-safe-as-possible nanomaterials and nano-enabled products.

After decades of research, some aspects that lead to the adverse interaction of nanomaterials with biological systems have been identified; this knowledge provides the basis for conceptual frameworks to assess and manage the risk stemming from the use of nanomaterials. As often in science, improved knowledge around nano-safety has opened new questions arising from still unresolved uncertainties: the physicochemical heterogeneity of nanoparticles does not allow to generalize conclusions; the details of the interaction of nanomaterials with cells and organisms are largely unknown; the transformations of nanoparticles moving through different biological compartments makes it extremely difficult to establish safe amounts. As of today, these uncertainties still prevent the adoption of effective regulatory and protective rules. With the ambition to mark a further step towards safe nanotechnology, which is a multi-faceted objective, this Special Issue collates a series of original articles focusing on new findings in nanotoxicology, theoretical and experimental methods for understanding the interaction of nanoparticles with biological systems, statistical methods to estimate risks, and strategies for mitigating risks of hazardous nanoparticles.

Dr. Felice C. Simeone
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • physicochemical drivers of hazard
  • mechanisms of hazard
  • adverse outcome pathways
  • modelling of risk
  • nanotoxicology
  • dosimetry
  • risk assessment
  • change grouping strategies
  • safety-by-design

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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21 pages, 2583 KiB  
Article
The Potentiating Effect of Graphene Oxide on the Arylhydrocarbon Receptor (AhR)–Cytochrome P4501A (Cyp1A) System Activated by Benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) in Rainbow Trout Cell Line
by Ana Valdehita, María Luisa Fernández-Cruz and José M. Navas
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(18), 2501; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13182501 - 5 Sep 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1109
Abstract
The increasing use of graphene oxide (GO) will result in its release into the environment; therefore, it is essential to determine its final fate and possible metabolism by organisms. The objective of this study was to assess the possible role of the aryl [...] Read more.
The increasing use of graphene oxide (GO) will result in its release into the environment; therefore, it is essential to determine its final fate and possible metabolism by organisms. The objective of this study was to assess the possible role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-dependent cytochrome P4501A (Cyp1A) detoxification activities on the catabolism of GO. Our hypothesis is that GO cannot initially interact with the AhR, but that after an initial degradation caused by other mechanisms, small fractions of GO could activate the AhR, inducing Cyp1A. The environmental pollutant benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) was used for the initial activation of the AhR in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) cell line RTL-W1. Pre-, co-, and post-exposure experiments with GO were performed and Cyp1A induction was monitored. The strong stimulation of Cyp1A observed in cells after exposure to GO, when BkF levels were not detected in the system, suggests a direct action of GO. The role of the AhR was confirmed by a blockage of the observed effects in co-treatment experiments with αNF (an AhR antagonist). These results suggest a possible role for the AhR and Cyp1A system in the cellular metabolism of GO and that GO could modulate the toxicity of environmental pollutants. Full article
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31 pages, 2835 KiB  
Review
Diverse Pathways of Engineered Nanoparticle-Induced NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation
by Xin Liao, Yudong Liu, Jiarong Zheng, Xinyuan Zhao, Li Cui, Shen Hu, Tian Xia and Shanshan Si
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(21), 3908; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12213908 - 5 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2666
Abstract
With the rapid development of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in biomedical applications, their biocompatibility and cytotoxicity need to be evaluated properly. Recently, it has been demonstrated that inflammasome activation may be a vital contributing factor for the development of biological responses induced by ENMs. [...] Read more.
With the rapid development of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in biomedical applications, their biocompatibility and cytotoxicity need to be evaluated properly. Recently, it has been demonstrated that inflammasome activation may be a vital contributing factor for the development of biological responses induced by ENMs. Among the inflammasome family, NLRP3 inflammasome has received the most attention because it directly interacts with ENMs to cause the inflammatory effects. However, the pathways that link ENMs to NLRP3 inflammasome have not been thoroughly summarized. Thus, we reviewed recent findings on the role of major ENMs properties in modulating NLRP3 inflammasome activation, both in vitro and in vivo, to provide a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms. In addition, the interactions between ENMs and NLRP3 inflammasome activation are summarized, which may advance our understanding of safer designs of nanomaterials and ENM-induced adverse health effects. Full article
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