PEG-Polymeric Nanocarriers Alleviate the Immunosuppressive Effects of Free 4-Thiazolidinone-Based Chemotherapeutics on T Lymphocyte Function and Cytokine Production.

Purpose: Our study aimed to assess the effects of anticancer 4-thiazolidinone-based free water-insoluble therapeutics Les-3288 and Les-3833 and their waterborne complexes with branched PEG-containing polymeric carriers (A24-PEG550 and A24-PEG750) on immune response.

Methods: Human peripheral blood was used to study in vitro lymphocyte proliferative function, leukocyte phagocytic activity and respiratory burst, and cytokine production.

Results: The binding of the polymer to the anticancer drug Les-3288, which is intended to mitigate the immunosuppressive effects of the free drug on the proliferative activity of T lymphocytes and T-dependent B cells, demonstrated comparable efficacy for both A24-PEG750 and A24-PEG550 nanocarriers.

Immunotoxicity of stainless-steel nanoparticles obtained after 3D printing.

This study aims to investigate the in vitro effects of nanoparticles (NPs) produced during the selective laser melting (SLM) of 316 L stainless steel metal powder on the immune response in a human blood model. Experimental data did not reveal effect on viability of 316 L NPs for the tested doses. Functional immune assays showed a significant immunosuppressive effect of NPs.

Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Modulate Systemic Immune Response and Increase Levels of Reduced Glutathione in Mice after Seven-Week Inhalation.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs) are used in a wide range of applications. Although inhalation of NPs is one of the most important toxicologically relevant routes, experimental studies on potential harmful effects of TiO NPs using a whole-body inhalation chamber model are rare. In this study, the profile of lymphocyte markers, functional immunoassays, and antioxidant defense markers were analyzed to evaluate the potential adverse effects of seven-week inhalation exposure to two different concentrations of TiO NPs (0.

Genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to glass fibres - A human biomonitoring study.

As part of a large human biomonitoring study, we conducted occupational monitoring in a glass fibre factory in Slovakia. Shopfloor workers (n = 80), with a matched group of administrators in the same factory (n = 36), were monitored for exposure to glass fibres and to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The impact of occupational exposure on chromosomal aberrations, DNA damage and DNA repair, immunomodulatory markers, and the role of nutritional and lifestyle factors, as well as the effect of polymorphisms in metabolic and DNA repair genes on genetic stability, were investigated.

Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Stimulate the Immune Response and Decrease Antioxidant Defense in Mice After Six-Week Inhalation.

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) are increasingly used in various industry sectors. Moreover, medical application of CuO NPs as antimicrobials also contributes to human exposure. Their toxicity, including toxicity to the immune system and blood, raises concerns, while information on their immunotoxicity is still very limited.

Pharmacokinetics, Biodistribution, and Biosafety of PEGylated Gold Nanoparticles In Vivo.

Despite the obvious advantages of gold nanoparticles for biomedical applications, controversial and incomplete toxicological data hamper their widespread use. Here, we present the results from an in vivo toxicity study using gold nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG-AuNPs). The pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of PEG-AuNPs were examined in the rat's liver, lung, spleen, and kidney after a single i.

Correction to: Lack of adverse effects in subchronic and chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity studies on the glyphosate-resistant genetically modified maize NK603 in Wistar Han RCC rats.

In the original publication, the starting point in time for the three feeding trials.

Six-week inhalation of CdO nanoparticles in mice: The effects on immune response, oxidative stress, antioxidative defense, fibrotic response, and bones.

Due to the growing number of applications of cadmium oxide nanoparticles (CdO NPs), there is a concern about their potential deleterious effects. The objective of our study was to investigate the effect of CdO NPs on the immune response, renal and intestine oxidative stress, blood antioxidant defence, renal fibrotic response, bone density and mineral content. Six-week-old female ICR mice were exposed to CdO NPs for 6 weeks by inhalation (particle size: 9.

Lack of adverse effects in subchronic and chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity studies on the glyphosate-resistant genetically modified maize NK603 in Wistar Han RCC rats.

In 2012, a controversial study on the long-term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and the glyphosate-tolerant genetically modified (GM) maize NK603 was published. The EC-funded G-TwYST research consortium tested the potential subchronic and chronic toxicity as well as the carcinogenicity of the glyphosate-resistant genetically modified maize NK603 by performing two 90-day feeding trials, one with GM maize inclusion rates of 11 and 33% and one with inclusion rates of up to 50%, as well as a 2-year feeding trial with inclusion rates of 11 and 33% in male and female Wistar Han RCC rats by taking into account OECD Guidelines for the testing of chemicals and EFSA recommendations on the safety testing of whole-food/feed in laboratory animals. In all three trials, the NK603 maize, untreated and treated once with Roundup during its cultivation, and the conventional counterpart were tested.

Equivalence limit scaled differences for untargeted safety assessments: Comparative analyses to guard against unintended effects on the environment or human health of genetically modified maize.

Safety assessments guard against unintended effects for human health and the environment. When new products are compared with accepted reference products by broad arrays of measurements, statistical analyses are usually summarised by significance tests or confidence intervals per endpoint. The traditional approach is to test for statistical significance of differences.

Consumption of a dark roast coffee blend reduces DNA damage in humans: results from a 4-week randomised controlled study.

Purpose: To determine the DNA protective effects of a standard coffee beverage in comparison to water consumption.

Methods: The single-blind, randomised controlled study with parallel design included healthy women (n = 50) and men (n = 50) recruited from the general Central European population. The subjects were randomised in a coffee and a control group, with stratification for sex and body mass index.

Humoral and cellular immune response in Wistar Han RCC rats fed two genetically modified maize MON810 varieties for 90 days (EU 7th Framework Programme project GRACE).

The genetically modified maize event MON810 expresses a Bacillus thuringiensis-derived gene, which encodes the insecticidal protein Cry1Ab to control some lepidopteran insect pests such as the European corn borer. It has been claimed that the immune system may be affected following the oral/intragastric administration of the MON810 maize in various different animal species. In the frame of the EU-funded project GRACE, two 90-day feeding trials, the so-called studies D and E, were performed to analyze the humoral and cellular immune responses of male and female Wistar Han RCC rats fed the MON810 maize.

Immunotoxicity, genotoxicity and epigenetic toxicity of nanomaterials: New strategies for toxicity testing?

The unique properties of nanomaterials (NMs) are beneficial in numerous industrial and medical applications. However, they could also induce unintended effects. Thus, a proper strategy for toxicity testing is essential in human hazard and risk assessment.

The Cell Surface Markers Expression in Postmenopausal Women and Relation to Obesity and Bone Status.

The age-related changes and hormonal deprivation in postmenopausal women are associated with the immune response alteration. The excessive fat accumulation, local and systemic inflammation may lead to dysregulation in immune function and relevant health problems, including obesity and osteoporosis. We analyzed the expression of cell surface markers in the venous blood specimens, stained with fluorophores-conjugated monoclonal antibodies and analysed by multicolour flow cytometry.

The effect of core and lanthanide ion dopants in sodium fluoride-based nanocrystals on phagocytic activity of human blood leukocytes.

Sodium fluoride-based β-NaLnF4 nanoparticles (NPs) doped with lanthanide ions are promising materials for application as luminescent markers in bio-imaging. In this work, the effect of NPs doped with yttrium (Y), gadolinium (Gd), europium (Eu), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb) and terbium (Tb) ions on phagocytic activity of monocytes and granulocytes and the respiratory burst was examined. The surface functionalization of <10-nm NPs was performed according to our variation of patent pending ligand exchange method that resulted in meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) molecules on their surface.

Impact of interleukin 13 (IL13) genetic polymorphism Arg130Gln on total serum immunoglobulin (IgE) levels and interferon (IFN)-γ gene expression.

This cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the extent of genetic susceptibility by targeting variants in interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13 signalling pathways leading to atopic disease in early childhood. We evaluated involvement of five single nucleotide polymorphisms IL4 C-590T, IL13 C-1055T, IL13 Arg130Gln, IL4RA Ile50Val and IL4RA Gln576Arg, in the control of serum total and antigen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels. Furthermore, we analysed their association with changes in gene expression of five cytokines having key roles in inflammatory and anti-inflammatory immune response [IL-4, IL-13, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-8 and IL-10].

One-year oral toxicity study on a genetically modified maize MON810 variety in Wistar Han RCC rats (EU 7th Framework Programme project GRACE).

The GRACE (GMO Risk Assessment and Communication of Evidence; www.grace-fp7.eu ) project was funded by the European Commission within the 7th Framework Programme.

Automotive airborne brake wear debris nanoparticles and cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes: A pilot study.

Motor vehicle exhaust and non-exhaust processes play a significant role in environmental pollution, as they are a source of the finest particulate matter. Emissions from non-exhaust processes include wear-products of brakes, tires, automotive hardware, road surface, and traffic signs, but still are paid little attention to. Automotive friction composites for brake pads are composite materials which may consist of potentially hazardous materials and there is a lack of information regarding the potential influence of the brake wear debris (BWD) on the environment, especially on human health.

Functionalized porous silica&maghemite core-shell nanoparticles for applications in medicine: design, synthesis, and immunotoxicity.

Aim: To determine cytotoxicity and effect of silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) on immune response, in particular lymphocyte proliferative activity, phagocytic activity, and leukocyte respiratory burst and in vitro production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and 8 (IL-8), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF).

Methods: Maghemite was prepared by coprecipitation of iron salts with ammonia, oxidation with NaOCl and modified by tetramethyl orthosilicate and aminosilanes. Particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles: some aspects of toxicity/focus on the development.

Nanosized titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles belong to the most widely manufactured nanoparticles (NPs) on a global scale because of their photocatalytic properties and the related surface effects. TiO2 NPs are in the top five NPs used in consumer products. Ultrafine TiO2 is widely used in the number of applications, including white pigment in paint, ceramics, food additive, food packaging material, sunscreens, cosmetic creams, and, component of surgical implants.

Towards an alternative testing strategy for nanomaterials used in nanomedicine: lessons from NanoTEST.

In spite of recent advances in describing the health outcomes of exposure to nanoparticles (NPs), it still remains unclear how exactly NPs interact with their cellular targets. Size, surface, mass, geometry, and composition may all play a beneficial role as well as causing toxicity. Concerns of scientists, politicians and the public about potential health hazards associated with NPs need to be answered.

Ninety-day oral toxicity studies on two genetically modified maize MON810 varieties in Wistar Han RCC rats (EU 7th Framework Programme project GRACE).

The GMO Risk Assessment and Communication of Evidence (GRACE; www.grace-fp7.eu ) project is funded by the European Commission within the 7th Framework Programme.