Toxicity of Transition Metal Oxide Nanoparticles: Recent Insights from in vitro Studies

Materials

Yue-Wern Huang¹  Chi-heng Wu² 

[1] Department of Biological Sciences and the Missouri S&T cDNA Resource Center, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 400 W. 11th Street, 105 Schrenk Hall, Rolla, MO 65409, USA;

关键词: nanoparticle;    toxicity;    metal oxide;    oxidative stress;    calcium homeostasis;    signal transduction;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ma3104842

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Nanotechnology has evolved to play a prominent role in our economy. Increased use of nanomaterials poses potential human health risk. It is therefore critical to understand the nature and origin of the toxicity imposed by nanomaterials (nanotoxicity). In this article we review the toxicity of the transition metal oxides in the 4th period that are widely used in industry and biotechnology. Nanoparticle toxicity is compellingly related to oxidative stress and alteration of calcium homeostasis, gene expression, pro-inflammatory responses, and cellular signaling events. The precise physicochemical properties that dictate the toxicity of nanoparticles have yet to be defined, but may include element-specific surface catalytic activity (e.g., metallic, semiconducting properties), nanoparticle uptake, or nanoparticle dissolution. These in vitro studies substantially advance our understanding in mechanisms of toxicity, which may lead to safer design of nanomaterials.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2010 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.