Transcriptional profiling identifies physicochemical properties of nanomaterials that are determinants of the in vivo pulmonary response.

We applied transcriptional profiling to elucidate the mechanisms associated with pulmonary responses to titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) nanoparticles (NPs) of different sizes and surface coatings, and to determine if these responses are modified by NP size, surface area, surface modification, and embedding in paint matrices. Adult C57BL/6 mice were exposed via single intratracheal instillations to free forms of TiO2 NPs (10, 20.6, or 38 nm in diameter) with different surface coatings, or TiO2 NPs embedded in paint matrices.

Bioaccumulation and ecotoxicity of carbon nanotubes.

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have numerous industrial applications and may be released to the environment. In the aquatic environment, pristine or functionalized CNT have different dispersion behavior, potentially leading to different risks of exposure along the water column. Data included in this review indicate that CNT do not cross biological barriers readily.

Effects of lung exposure to carbon nanotubes on female fertility and pregnancy. A study in mice.

We studied the effects of preconceptional exposure to multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs): mature, female C57BL/6J mice were intratracheally instilled with 67μg NM-400 MWCNT, and the following day co-housed with mature males, in breeding pairs. Time to delivery of the first litter, litter parameters, maternal inflammation and histopathology of lung and liver were recorded. In male offspring, locomotor activity, startle response, and daily sperm production (DSP) were assessed.

Genotoxicity of polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated silver nanoparticles in BEAS 2B cells.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely utilized in various consumer products and medical devices, especially due to their antimicrobial properties. However, several studies have associated these particles with toxic effects, such as inflammation and oxidative stress in vivo and cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in vitro. Here, we assessed the genotoxic effects of AgNPs coated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (average diameter 42.

In vitro assessment of engineered nanomaterials using a hepatocyte cell line: cytotoxicity, pro-inflammatory cytokines and functional markers.

Effects on the liver C3A cell line treated with a panel of engineered nanomaterials (NMs) consisting of two zinc oxide particles (ZnO; coated 100 nm and uncoated 130 nm), two multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), one silver (Ag < 20 nm), one 7 nm anatase, two rutile TiO2 nanoparticles (10 and 94 nm) and two derivatives with positive and negative covalent functionalisation of the 10 nm rutile were evaluated. The silver particles elicited the greatest level of cytotoxicity (24 h LC50 - 2 µg/cm(2)). The silver was followed by the uncoated ZnO (24 h LC50 - 7.

Influence of serum on in situ proliferation and genotoxicity in A549 human lung cells exposed to nanomaterials.

In this work in situ proliferation of A549 human lung epithelial carcinoma cells exposed to nanomaterials (NMs) was investigated in the presence or absence of 10% serum. NMs were selected based on chemical composition, size, charge and shape (Lys-SiO(2), TiO(2), ZnO, and multi walled carbon nanotubes, MWCNTs). Cells were treated with NMs and 4h later, cytochalasin-B was added.

Inflammatory and genotoxic effects of nanoparticles designed for inclusion in paints and lacquers.

Manufactured nanomaterials are projected to be used on a large scale in paints and lacquers. We selected seven commercially interesting materials: Three titanium dioxide-based (two coated rutile; one uncoated anatase), one carbon black (Flamrüss 101), one kaolinite clay, and two silica products, whereas carbon black, Printex 90, was used as reference material. DNA damaging activity and inflammogenicity (pulmonary cell composition and mRNAs) were determined 24 h after intratracheal instillation of a single dose of 54 μg in mice.

Effects of prenatal exposure to surface-coated nanosized titanium dioxide (UV-Titan). A study in mice.

Background: Engineered nanoparticles are smaller than 100 nm and designed to improve or achieve new physico-chemical properties. Consequently, also toxicological properties may change compared to the parent compound. We examined developmental and neurobehavioral effects following maternal exposure to a nanoparticulate UV-filter (UV-titan L181).