Improving Quality in Nanoparticle-Induced Cytotoxicity Testing by a Tiered Inter-Laboratory Comparison Study.

The quality and relevance of nanosafety studies constitute major challenges to ensure their key role as a supporting tool in sustainable innovation, and subsequent competitive economic advantage. However, the number of apparently contradictory and inconclusive research results has increased in the past few years, indicating the need to introduce harmonized protocols and good practices in the nanosafety research community. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate if best-practice training and inter-laboratory comparison (ILC) of performance of the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay for the cytotoxicity assessment of nanomaterials among 15 European laboratories can improve quality in nanosafety testing.

Ongoing inflammation enhances the toxicity of engineered nanomaterials: Application of an in vitro co-culture model of the healthy and inflamed intestine.

Chronic inflammatory conditions can negatively impact intestinal barrier function and affect the epithelium's interaction with nano-sized materials. We demonstrate the application of a Caco-2/THP-1 co-culture mimicking the intestine in healthy (i.e.

Impact of copper oxide nanomaterials on differentiated and undifferentiated Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells; assessment of cytotoxicity, barrier integrity, cytokine production and nanomaterial penetration.

Background: Copper oxide nanomaterials (CuO NMs) are exploited in a diverse array of products including antimicrobials, inks, cosmetics, textiles and food contact materials. There is therefore a need to assess the toxicity of CuO NMs to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract since exposure could occur via direct oral ingestion, mucocillary clearance (following inhalation) or hand to mouth contact.

Methods: Undifferentiated Caco-2 intestinal cells were exposed to CuO NMs (10 nm) at concentrations ranging from 0.

Development of an in vitro co-culture model to mimic the human intestine in healthy and diseased state.

The intestine forms the largest interface between the environment and the human organism. Its integrity and functioning are crucial for the uptake of nutrients while preventing access of harmful antigens. Inflammatory conditions can significantly change the normal functioning of the intestine.

Mechanism of neutrophil activation and toxicity elicited by engineered nanomaterials.

The effects of nanomaterials (NMs) on biological systems, especially their ability to stimulate inflammatory responses requires urgent investigation. We evaluated the response of the human differentiated HL60 neutrophil-like cell line to NMs. It was hypothesised that NM physico-chemical characteristics would influence cell responsiveness by altering intracellular Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+]i and reactive oxygen species production.

Inflammation and gene expression in the rat lung after instillation of silica nanoparticles: effect of size, dispersion medium and particle surface charge.

We investigated the effects of silica particles and nanoparticles (NPs) (50 nm and 200 nm) with a neutral and positively charged surface when dispersed in saline, bovine serum albumin (BSA) or lung lining fluid (LLF) 24 h post instillation into the lungs of rats. There was a significant increase in the recruitment of neutrophils in animals instilled with 50 nm plain and aminated NPs compared with 200 nm particles when dispersed in saline or BSA, but not when dispersed in LLF. There was no evidence of toxicity or an increase in the albumin content of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

The role of Kupffer cells in the hepatic response to silver nanoparticles.

Engineered nanoparticles are increasingly used in medical applications and day-to-day consumer products, leading to concerns about the potential environmental and human health impacts. Silver nanoparticles are particularly prevalent because of their use as anti-bacterial agents in many commonly available products. Nanoparticles (NPs) are believed to accumulate, often preferentially, in the liver.

Effects of silver nanoparticles on the liver and hepatocytes in vitro.

With the increasing use and incorporation of nanoparticles (NPs) into consumer products, screening for potential toxicity is necessary to ensure customer safety. NPs have been shown to translocate to the bloodstream following inhalation and ingestion, and such studies demonstrate that the liver is an important organ for accumulation. Silver (Ag) NPs are highly relevant for human exposure due to their use in food contact materials, dietary supplements, and antibacterial wound treatments.

Angiotensin II-induced genomic damage in renal cells can be prevented by angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockage or radical scavenging.

Hypertensive patients exhibit elevated cancer incidence, especially of cancers of the kidney. Elevated levels of ANG II, the active peptide of the renin-angiotensin system, regulating blood pressure and cardiovascular homeostasis, are known to cause hypertension and kidney diseases. There is evidence that ANG II is an activator of NAD(P)H oxidase, leading to the formation of free radicals, which are known to participate in the induction of DNA damage.