Biosafety assessment of Gd@C82(OH)22 nanoparticles on Caenorhabditis elegans

Evaluating the adverse effects and mechanisms of nanomaterial exposure on longevity of C. elegans: A literature meta-analysis and bioinformatics analysis of multi-transcriptome data

Exposure to large-size particulate air pollution (PM2.5 or PM10) has been reported to increase risks of aging-related diseases and human death, indicating the potential pro-aging effects of airborne nanomaterials with ultra-fine particle size (which have been widely applied in various fields). However, this hypothesis remains inconclusive. Here, a meta-analysis of 99 published literatures collected from electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library; from inception to June 2023) was performed to confirm the effects of nanomaterial exposure on aging-related indicators and molecular mechanisms in model animal C. elegans. The pooled analysis by Stata software showed that compared with the control, nanomaterial exposure significantly shortened the mean lifespan [standardized mean difference (SMD) = -2.30], reduced the survival rate (SMD = -4.57) and increased the death risk (hazard ratio = 1.36) accompanied by upregulation of ced-3, ced-4 and cep-1, while downregulation of ctl-2, ape-1, aak-2 and pmk-1. Furthermore, multi-transcriptome data associated with nanomaterial exposure were retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE32521, GSE41486, GSE24847, GSE59470, GSE70509, GSE14932, GSE93187, GSE114881, and GSE122728) and bioinformatics analyses showed that pseudogene prg-2, mRNAs of abu, car-1, gipc-1, gsp-3, kat-1, pod-2, acdh-8, hsp-60 and egrh-2 were downregulated, while R04A9.7 was upregulated after exposure to at least two types of nanomaterials. Resveratrol (abu, hsp-60, pod-2, egrh-2, acdh-8, gsp-3, car-1, kat-1, gipc-1), naringenin (kat-1, egrh-2), coumestrol (egrh-2) or swainsonine/niacin/ferulic acid (R04A9.7) exerted therapeutic effects by reversing the expression levels of target genes. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the necessity to use phytomedicines that target hub genes to delay aging for populations with nanomaterial exposure.

Supramolecular Engineering of Crystalline Fullerene Micro-/Nano-Architectures

Fullerenes are a molecular form of carbon allotrope and bear certain solubility, which allow the supramolecular assembly of fullerene molecules-also together with other complementary compound classes-via solution-based wet processes. By well-programmed organizing these building blocks and precisely modulating over the assembly process, supramolecularly assembled fullerene micro-/nano-architectures (FMNAs) are obtained. These FMNAs exhibit remarkably enhanced functions as well as tunable morphologies and dimensions at different size scales, leading to their applications in diverse fields. In this review, both traditional and newly developed assembly strategies are reviewed, with an emphasis on the morphological evolution mechanism of FMNAs. The discussion is then focused on how to precisely regulate the dimensions and morphologies to generate functional FMNAs through solvent engineering, co-crystallization, surfactant incorporation, or post-fabrication treatment. In addition to C₆₀ -based FMNAs, this review particularly focuses on recently fabricated FMNAs comprising higher fullerenes (e.g., C₇₀ ) and metallofullerenes. Meanwhile, an overview of the property modulation is presented and multidisciplinary applications of FMNAs in various fields are summarized, including sensors, optoelectronics, biomedicines, and energy. At the end, the prospects for future research, application opportunities, and challenges associated with FMNAs are proposed.

Metallofullerenols in biomedical applications

Metallofullerenols (MFs) are functionalized endohedral fullerenes connecting at least three levels of organization of matter: atomic, molecular, and supramolecular, resulting in their unique activity at the nanoscale. Biomedical applications of MFs started from gadolinium-containing contrasting agents, but today their potential medical applications go far beyond diagnostics and magnetic resonance imaging. In many cases, preclinical studies have shown a great therapeutic value of MFs, and here we provide an overview of interactions of MFs with high-energy radiation and with reactive oxygen species generated during radiation as a ground for potential applications in modern therapy of cancer patients. We also present the current knowledge on interactions of MFs with proteins and with other components of cells and tissues. Due to their antioxidant properties, as well as their ability to regulate the expression of genes involved in apoptosis, angiogenesis, and stimulation of the immune response, MFs can contribute to inhibition of tumor growth and protection of normal cells. MFs with enclosed gadolinium act as inhibitors of tumor growth in targeted therapy along with imaging techniques, but we hope that the data gathered in this review will help to accelerate further progress in the implementation of MFs, also the ones containing rare earth metals other than gadolinium, in a broad range of bioapplications covering not only diagnostics and bioimaging but also radiation therapy and cancer treatment by not-cytotoxic agents.

Extracellular Vesicles From Microalgae: Uptake Studies in Human Cells and Caenorhabditis elegans

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid membrane nano-sized vesicles secreted by various cell types for intercellular communication, found in all kingdoms of life. Nanoalgosomes are a subtype of EVs derived from microalgae with a sustainable biotechnological potential. To explore the uptake, distribution and persistence of nanoalgosomes in cells and living organisms, we separated them from a culture of the chlorophyte Tetraselmis chuii cells by tangential flow filtration (TFF), labelled them with different lipophilic dyes and characterized their biophysical attributes. Then we studied the cellular uptake of labelled nanoalgosomes in human cells and in C. elegans, demonstrating that they enter the cells through an energy dependent mechanism and are localized in the cytoplasm of specific cells, where they persist for days. Our data confirm that nanoalgosomes are actively uptaken in vitro by human cells and in vivo by C. elegans cells, supporting their exploitation as potential nanocarriers of bioactive compounds for theranostic applications.

The Molecular Mechanism of Human Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel 1 Blockade by the Metallofullerenol Gd@C82(OH)22: An In Silico Study

The endohedral metallofullerenol Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂ has been identified as a possible antineoplastic agent that can inhibit both the growth and metastasis of cancer cells. Despite these potentially important effects, our understanding of the interactions between Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂ and biomacromolecules remains incomplete. Here, we study the interaction between Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂ and the human voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (hVDAC1), the most abundant porin embedded in the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM), and a potential druggable target for novel anticancer therapeutics. Using in silico approaches, we observe that Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂ molecules can permeate and form stable interactions with the pore of hVDAC1. Further, this penetration can occur from either side of the MOM to elicit blockage of the pore. The binding between Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂ and hVDAC1 is largely driven by long-range electrostatic interactions. Analysis of the binding free energies indicates that it is thermodynamically more favorable for Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂ to bind to the hVDAC1 pore when it enters the channel from inside the membrane rather than from the cytoplasmic side of the protein. Multiple factors contribute to the preferential penetration, including the surface electrostatic landscape of hVDAC1 and the unique physicochemical properties of Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂. Our findings provide insights into the potential molecular interactions of macromolecular biological systems with the Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂ nanodrug.

Study of the neurotoxicity of indoor airborne nanoparticles based on a 3D human blood-brain barrier chip

BACKGROUND

There is growing public awareness regarding the health effects of indoor nanoscale particulate matter (INPM) since people spend the majority of their time indoors. INPM could have a direct entry route into the brain via the axons of the olfactory nerve and migrating across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Using animals to explore this possibility is not a reliable method to fully demonstrate human physiological responses. We, therefore, set out to develop a human 3D functional blood-brain barrier model to examine the potential effects of INPM on the cerebral nervous system.

METHODS

Human astrocytes were co-cultured and human umbilical vein endothelial cells in 3D within a microfluidic chip to simulate the micro-complex physiological structure of the human BBB. This 3D human organotypic model has then been made to investigate any INPM-induced BBB dysfunction linked to potential cellular responses.

RESULTS

A 3D human functional blood-brain barrier was constructed in this study. We observed the translocation of INPM across the blood-brain barrier. The 3D human organotypic chip initially reflected damage to the nervous system with abnormal astrocyte proliferation and a decline in cell viability. We also looked at the behavior of oxidative stress-related biomarkers (ROS, GSH-Px, and MDA). INPM was implicated in aggravating inflammation via reactive oxygen species (ROS). The Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway is a key mechanism in cellular resistance to oxidative stress by mediating and activating a variety of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes. Following ROS accumulation, INPM induced abnormal expression of nuclear transcription factor Nrf2. This behavior disturbed the expression of, γ-glutamate synthase (γ-GCS) and heme oxygenase (HO-1), which further exacerbated the imbalance of the antioxidant system.

CONCLUSIONS

This functional 3D human organotypic chip effectively mimics the physiological response of the human BBB. The chip provides a micro-complex structure to simulate the internal environment of the human blood-brain barrier, and partially simulates the physiological responses of the BBB to INPM exposure. Based on this model, INPM was shown to affect the blood-brain barrier biofunction by disrupting the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathways.

Amination of the Gd@C82 endohedral fullerene: tunable substitution effect on quantum coherence behaviors

The core-shell structure of endohedral fullerene-based anisotropic magnetic molecules of high spin with long coherence time could help scale up quantum systems. In this research, by amination of Gd@C₈₂ with morpholine, three derivatives are functionalized with 5, 7 and 9 morpholine groups providing an interesting model to investigate the relationship between the quantum coherence and the spin environment. The original radical located on the carbon cage is successfully quenched, affording a quantum phase memory times (T _M) over 5 μs at 5 K. By increasing the number of substitution groups, spin-lattice relaxation times (T ₁) also show significant enhancement due to the interaction variation between the molecules and the environments. We found that the T _M of the three molecules show no obvious difference below 10 K, while they are limited by T ₁ at higher temperatures. In this work, the variable functional groups are able to tune both T ₁ and T _M, offering the possibility for application of high-spin magnetic molecules in the field of quantum information processing.

The pharmaceutical multi-activity of metallofullerenol invigorates cancer therapy

Currently, cancer continues to afflict humanity. The direct destruction and killing of tumor cells by surgery, radiation and chemotherapy gives rise to many side effects and compromised efficacy. Encouragingly, the rapid development of nanotechnology offers attractive opportunities to revolutionize the current situation of cancer therapy. Metallofullerenol Gd@C82(OH)22, in contrast to chemotherapeutics that directly kill tumor cells, demonstrates anti-tumor behavior with high efficiency and low toxicity by modulating the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, Gd@C82(OH)22 has been recently reported to specifically target cancer stem cells. In this review, we give a concise introduction to the development of the fullerene family and then report the anti-tumor activity of Gd@C82(OH)22 based on its unique physicochemical characteristics, followed by a comprehensive summary of the anti-tumor biological mechanisms which target different components of the tumor microenvironment as well as the biodistribution and toxicity of Gd@C82(OH)22. Finally, we describe Gd@C82(OH)22 as a "particulate medicine" to highlight its distinctions from conventional "molecular medicine", with considerable emphasis on the advantages of nanomedicine. The in-depth investigation of Gd@C82(OH)22 undoubtedly provides a constructive reference for the development of other nanomedicines, especially in the fullerene family. The application of nanotechnology in the medical field definitely provides a promising and favorable future for improving the current status of cancer therapy.

A Novel Drug Design Strategy: An Inspiration from Encaging Tumor by Metallofullerenol Gd@C82(OH)22

Cancer remains a major threat to human health worldwide. Cytotoxicity has imposed restrictions on the conventional cytotoxic drug-based chemotherapy. The rapidly-developing nanomedicine has shown great promise in revolutionizing chemotherapy with improved efficiency and reduced toxicity. Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂, a novel endohedral metallofullerenol, was first reported by our research group to suppress tumor growth and metastasis efficiently without obvious toxicity. Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂ imprisons tumors by facilitating the formation of surrounding fibrous layers which is different from chemotherapeutics that poison tumor cells. In this review, the authors first reported the antineoplastic activity of metallofullerenol Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂ followed by further discussions on its new anti-cancer molecular mechanism—tumor encaging. On this basis, the unparalleled advantages of nanomedicine in the future drug design are discussed. The unique interaction modes of Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂ with specific targeted biomolecules may shed light on a new avenue for drug design. Depending on the surface characteristics of target biomolecules, nanomedicine, just like a transformable and dynamic key, can self-assemble into suitable shapes to match several locks for the thermodynamic stability, suggesting the target-tailoring ability of nanomedicine.

Exposure to MPA-capped CdTe quantum dots causes reproductive toxicity effects by affecting oogenesis in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Quantum dots (QDs), considered as a type of excellent semiconductor nanomaterial, are widely employed and have a number of important applications. However, QDs have the potential to produce adverse effects and toxicity with the underlying molecular mechanisms not well understood. Herein, Caenorhabditis elegans was used for in vivo toxicity assessment to detect the reproductive toxicity of CdTe QDs. We found that exposure to CdTe QDs particles (≥ 50 mg/L) resulted in a defect in reproductive capacity, dysfunctional proliferation and differentiation, as well as an imbalance in oogenesis by reducing the number of cells in pachytene and diakinesis. Further, we identified a SPO-11 and PCH-2 mediated toxic mechanism and a GLP-1/Notch mediated protective mechanism in response to CdTe QDs particles (≥ 50 mg/L). Taken together, these results demonstrate the potential adverse impact of CdTe QDs (≥ 50 mg/L) exposure on oogenesis and provide valuable data and guidelines for evaluation of QD biocompatibility.

Caenorhabditis elegans as a complete model organism for biosafety assessments of nanoparticles

The number of biosafety evaluation studies of nanoparticles (NPs) using different biological models is increasing with the rapid development of nanotechnology. Thus far, nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), as a complete model organism, has become an important in vivo alternative assay system to assess the risk of NPs, especially at the environmental level. According to results of qualitative and quantitative analyses, it can be concluded that studies of nanoscientific research using C. elegans is persistently growing. However, the comprehensive conclusion and analysis of toxic effects of NPs in C. elegans are limited and chaotic. This review focused on the effects, especially sublethal ones, induced by NPs in C. elegans, including the development, intestinal function, immune response, neuronal function, and reproduction, as well as the underlying mechanisms of NPs causing these effects, including oxidative stress and alterations of several signaling pathways. Furthermore, we presented some factors that influence the toxic effects of NPs in C. elegans. The advantages and limitations of using nematodes in the nanotoxicology study were also discussed. Finally, we predicted that the application of C. elegans to assess long-term impacts of metal oxide NPs in the ecosystem would become a vital part of the nanoscientific research field, which provided an insight for further study.

Three-dimensional ultrastructural imaging reveals the nanoscale architecture of mammalian cells

Knowledge of the interactions between nanomaterials and large-size mammalian cells, including cellular uptake, intracellular localization and translocation, has greatly advanced nanomedicine and nanotoxicology. Imaging techniques that can locate nanomaterials within the structures of intact large-size cells at nanoscale resolution play crucial roles in acquiring this knowledge. Here, the quantitative imaging of intracellular nanomaterials in three dimensions was performed by combining dual-energy contrast X-ray microscopy and an iterative tomographic algorithm termed equally sloped tomography (EST). Macrophages with a size of ∼20 µm that had been exposed to the potential antitumour agent [Gd@C82(OH)22] n were investigated. Large numbers of nanoparticles (NPs) aggregated within the cell and were mainly located in phagosomes. No NPs were observed in the nucleus. Imaging of the nanomedicine within whole cells advanced the understanding of the high-efficiency antitumour activity and the low toxicity of this agent. This imaging technique can be used to probe nanomaterials within intact large-size cells at nanometre resolution uniformly in three dimensions and may greatly benefit the fields of nanomedicine and nanotoxicology.

A Versatile and Clearable Nanocarbon Theranostic Based on Carbon Dots and Gadolinium Metallofullerene Nanocrystals

Nanocarbons such as carbon nanotubes, graphene derivatives, and carbon nanohorns have illustrated their potential uses as cancer theranostics owing to their intrinsic fluorescence or NIR absorbance as well as superior cargo loading capacity. However, some problems still need to be addressed, such as the fates and long-term toxicology of different nanocarbons in vivo and the improvement of their performance in various biomedical imaging-guided cancer therapy systems. Herein, a versatile and clearable nanocarbon theranostic based on carbon dots (CDs) and gadolinium metallofullerene nanocrystals (GFNCs) is first developed, in which GFNCs enhance the tumor accumulation of CDs, and CDs enhance the relaxivity of GFNCs, leading to an efficient multimodal imaging-guided photodynamic therapy in vivo without obvious long-term toxicity. Furthermore, biochemical analysis reveals that the novel nanotheranostic can harmlessly eliminate from the body in a reasonable period of time after exerting diagnostic and therapeutic function.

Silver nanoparticles: a microbial perspective

Silver nanoparticles (NPs) are used for a wide range of commercial reasons to restrict microbial growth. The increasing use of silver NPs in modern materials ensures they will find their way into environmental systems. The mode of action which makes them desirable as an antimicrobial tool could also pose a severe threat to the natural microbial balance existing in these systems. Research into the potential environmental threats of silver NPs has mainly focused on particular areas, such as their influence in rivers and estuaries or their effect on organisms such as earthworms and plants. There is a need to focus studies on all aspects of the microbial world and to highlight potential risks and methods of overcoming problems before significant damage is done. This review focuses on the antimicrobial uses, mechanisms of toxicity, and effects on the environment (mainly soil) of silver NPs, illustrating gaps in current knowledge.

Exploring the chemical bonding, infrared and UV-vis absorption spectra of OH radicals adsorption on the smallest fullerene

In the present work, the density-functional theory calculations were performed on C20 hydroxylated fullerene. B3LYP functionals with 6-31G(d,p) basis set were utilized to gain insight into the bonding characters and intramolecular interactions of hydroxyl groups adsorbed on the cage. Interestingly, we observed that the C20 cage has the bonding patterns with spherical orbitals configuration [1S(2)1P(6)1D(10)1F(2)], and the adsorbed hydroxyl groups significantly affect the chemical bonding of the cage surface. Analysis of vertical electron affinities and vertical ionization potentials indicates that the polyhydroxylated derivative with eight hydroxyl groups is more stable than others. The intramolecular interaction of these derivatives considered here reveals that the more the hydroxyl groups in derivatives, the stronger the interaction in stabilizing structures. On the basis of theoretical studies, the hydroxyl groups largely enhance the infrared intensities, especially for the polyhydroxylated derivatives.

Molecular signals regulating translocation and toxicity of graphene oxide in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the toxic effects of graphene oxide (GO). However, the molecular basis for the translocation and toxicity of GO is still largely unclear. In the present study, we employed an in vivo Caenorhabditis elegans assay system to identify molecular signals involved in the control of the translocation and toxicity of GO. We identified 7 genes whose mutations altered both the translocation and toxicity of GO. Mutations of the hsp-16.48, gas-1, sod-2, sod-3, and aak-2 genes caused greater GO translocation into the body and toxic effects on both primary and secondary targeted organs compared with wild type; however, mutations of the isp-1 and clk-1 genes resulted in significantly decreased GO translocation into the body and toxicity on both primary and secondary targeted organs compared with wild-type. Moreover, mutations of the hsp-16.48, gas-1, sod-2, sod-3, and aak-2 genes caused increased intestinal permeability and prolonged mean defecation cycle length in GO-exposed nematodes, whereas mutations of the isp-1 and clk-1 genes resulted in decreased intestinal permeability in GO-exposed nematodes. Therefore, for the underlying mechanism, we hypothesize that both intestinal permeability and defecation behavior may have crucial roles in controlling the functions of the identified molecular signals. The molecular signals may further contribute to the control of transgenerational toxic effects of GO. Our results provide an important insight into understanding the molecular basis for the in vivo translocation and toxicity of GO.

Immune response is required for the control of in vivo translocation and chronic toxicity of graphene oxide

Graphene oxide (GO) shows great promise as a nanomaterial for medical applications; however, the mechanism for its long-term adverse effects is still largely unclear. Here, we show that chronic GO exposure not only caused damage on the function of both primary and secondary targeted organs but also induced severe accumulation of pathogenic microbial food (OP50) in the intestine of Caenorhabditis elegans, a non-mammalian alternative toxicity assay system. GO accumulated in the intestine could be largely co-localized with OP50 and induced decreased immune response of animals. In contrast, feeding with UV-treated OP50 suppressed GO toxicity and accumulation in the intestine and maintained the relatively normal immune response of animals. The severe accumulation of OP50 in the intestine might be partially due to the damage by GO on the development and function of AVL and DVB neurons controlling defecation behavior. Reduction of chronic GO toxicity by PEG surface modification largely resulted from the inhibition of OP50 accumulation in the intestine and the maintenance of normal immune response. Our results highlight the key role of innate immunity in regulating in vivo chronic GO toxicity, which will be helpful for our understanding of the interactions between nanomaterials and biological systems during the long-term development of animals.

In vivo translocation and toxicity of multi-walled carbon nanotubes are regulated by microRNAs

We employed an in vivo Caenorhabditis elegans assay system to perform SOLiD sequencing analysis to identify the possible microRNA (miRNA) targets of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Bioinformatics analysis on targeted genes for the identified dysregulated miRNAs in MWCNT exposed nematodes demonstrates their involvement in many aspects of biological processes. We used loss-of-function mutants for the identified dysregulated miRNAs to perform toxicity assessment by evaluating functions of primary and secondary targeted organs, and found the miRNA mutants with susceptible or resistant property towards MWCNT toxicity. Both the physiological state of the intestine and defecation behavior were involved in the control of the susceptible or resistant property occurrence for specific miRNA mutants towards MWCNT toxicity. This work provides the molecular basis at the miRNA level for future chemical design to reduce the nanotoxicity of MWCNTs and further elucidation of the related toxicological mechanism.

Microworms swallow the nanobait: the use of nanocoated microbial cells for the direct delivery of nanoparticles into Caenorhabditis elegans

The application of in vivo models in assessing the toxicity of nanomaterials is currently regarded as a promising way to investigate the effects of nanomaterials on living organisms. In this paper we introduce a novel method to deliver nanomaterials into Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes. Our approach is based on using nanoparticle-coated microbial cells as "nanobait", which are ingested by nematodes as a sole food source. We found that nematodes feed on the nanocoated bacteria (Escherichia coli) and microalgae (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) ingesting them via pharyngeal pumping, which results in localization of nanoparticles inside the digestive tract of the worms. Nanoparticles were detected exclusively inside the intestine, indicating the efficient delivery based on microbial cells. Delivery of iron oxide nanoparticles results in magnetic labelling of living nematodes, rendering them magnetically-responsive. The use of cell-mediated delivery of nanoparticles can be applied to investigate the toxicity of polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles and citrate-capped silver nanoparticles in Caenorhabditis elegans in vivo.

Contributions of altered permeability of intestinal barrier and defecation behavior to toxicity formation from graphene oxide in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Graphene oxide (GO) has been extensively studied for potential biomedical applications. Meanwhile, potential GO toxicity arises in both biomedical applications and non-biomedical products where environmental exposures may occur. In the present study, we examined the potential adverse effects of GO and the underlying mechanism using nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as the assay system. We compared the in vivo effects of GO between acute exposure and prolonged exposure, and found that prolonged exposure to 0.5-100 mg L(-1) of GO caused damage on functions of both primary (intestine) and secondary (neuron and reproductive organ) targeted organs. In the intestine, ROS production was significantly correlated with the formation of adverse effects on functions of both primary and secondary targeted organs. GO could be translocated into intestinal cells with loss of microvilli, and distributed to be adjacent to or surrounding mitochondria. Prolonged exposure to GO resulted in a hyper-permeable state of the intestinal barrier, an increase in mean defecation cycle length, and alteration of genes required for intestinal development and defecation behavior. Thus, our data suggest that prolonged exposure to GO may cause potential risk to environmental organisms after release into the environment. GO toxicity may be due to the combinational effects of oxidative stress in the intestinal barrier, enhanced permeability of the biological barrier, and suppressed defecation behavior in C. elegans.

Interactions between proteins and carbon-based nanoparticles: exploring the origin of nanotoxicity at the molecular level

The widespread application of nanomaterials has spurred an interest in the study of interactions between nanoparticles and proteins due to the biosafety concerns of these nanomaterials. In this review, a summary is presented of some of the recent studies on this important subject, especially on the interactions of proteins with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and metallofullerenols. Two potential molecular mechanisms have been proposed for CNTs' inhibition of protein functions. The driving forces of CNTs' adsorption onto proteins are found to be mainly hydrophobic interactions and the so-called π-π stacking between CNTs' carbon rings and proteins' aromatic residues. However, there is also recent evidence showing that endohedral metallofullerenol Gd@C82 (OH)22 can be used to inhibit tumor growth, thus acting as a potential nanomedicine. These recent findings have provided a better understanding of nanotoxicity at the molecular level and also suggested therapeutic potential by using nanoparticles' cytotoxicity against cancer cells.

Metallofullerenol Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂ distracts the proline-rich-motif from putative binding on the SH3 domain

Biocompatibility is often regarded as one important aspect of de novo designed nanomaterials for biosafety. However, the toxicological effect, appearing along with its latency, is much more difficult to address by linearly mapping physicochemical properties of related nanomaterials with biological effects such as immune or cellular regulatory responses due to the complicated protein-protein interactions. Here, we investigate a potential interference of a metallofullerenol, Gd@C82(OH)22, on the function of SH3 domain, a highly promiscuous protein-protein interaction mediator involved in signaling and regulatory pathways through its binding with the proline-rich motif (PRM) peptides, using the atomistic molecular dynamics simulation. Our study shows that when only Gd@C82(OH)22 and the SH3 domain are present (without the PRM ligand), Gd@C82(OH)22 can interact with the SH3 domain by either directly blocking the hydrophobic active site or binding with a hydrophilic off-site with almost equal probability, which can be understood from its intrinsic amphiphilic nature. In a binding competition with the PRM onto the SH3 domain, however, the on-site binding mode is depleted while Gd@C82(OH)22 effectively intercepts the PRM from the putative binding site of the SH3 domain, implying that Gd@C82(OH)22 can disturb protein-protein interactions mediated by the SH3 domain. Despite a successful surface modification in an aqueous biological medium and a more recent demonstration as potential de novo cancer therapeutics, our study indicates that greater attention is needed in assessing the potential cytotoxicity of these nanomaterials.

Biological characterizations of [Gd@C82(OH)22]n nanoparticles as fullerene derivatives for cancer therapy

Malignant tumor disease is one of the leading causes of human death in many countries. Currently, chemotherapy is considered highly efficient for cancer treatment. However, the clinical application of conventional chemotherapeutic agents is limited because of their high toxicity. With the development of nanotechnology, engineered nanomaterials have been widely and increasingly used in biomedical fields such as biomedicine. Thus, the use of engineered nanomaterials has become a promising approach to cancer treatment. Many newly fabricated nanomaterials with unique characteristics exhibit favorable therapeutic and diagnostic properties, implying their enormous potential as biomedical candidates. [Gd@C(82)(OH)(22)](n) is a new type of metallofullerenol nanoparticle with high anti-tumor activity but low toxicity. In this article, the properties and biological effects of [Gd@C(82)(OH)(22)](n) are summarized, and their possible mechanisms are analyzed.

Non-destructive inhibition of metallofullerenol Gd@C(82)(OH)(22) on WW domain: implication on signal transduction pathway

Endohedral metallofullerenol Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂ has recently been shown to effectively inhibit tumor growth; however, its potential adverse bioeffects remain to be understood before its wider applications. Here, we present our study on the interaction between Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂ and WW domain, a representative protein domain involved in signaling and regulatory pathway, using all-atom explicit solvent molecular dynamics simulations. We find that Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂ has an intrinsic binding preference to the binding groove, particularly the key signature residues Y28 and W39. In its binding competition with the native ligand PRM, Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂ is shown to easily win the competition over PRM in occupying the active site, implying that Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂ can impose a potential inhibitory effect on the WW domain. Further analyses with binding free energy landscapes reveal that Gd@C₈₂(OH)₂₂ can not only directly block the binding site of the WW domain, but also effectively distract the PRM from its native binding pocket.

Unraveling stress-induced toxicity properties of graphene oxide and the underlying mechanism

Graphene oxide shows stress-induced toxicity properties in vivo under different pathophysiological conditions. A dual-path chemical mechanism, involving the overproduction of hydroxyl radicals and the formation of oxidizing cytochrome c intermediates, is responsible for the toxicity properties.

Molecular control of TiO₂-NPs toxicity formation at predicted environmental relevant concentrations by Mn-SODs proteins

With growing concerns of the safety of nanotechnology, the in vivo toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) at environmental relevant concentrations has drawn increasing attentions. We investigated the possible molecular mechanisms of titanium nanoparticles (Ti-NPs) in the induction of toxicity at predicted environmental relevant concentrations. In nematodes, small sizes (4 nm and 10 nm) of TiO₂-NPs induced more severe toxicities than large sizes (60 nm and 90 nm) of TiO₂-NPs on animals using lethality, growth, reproduction, locomotion behavior, intestinal autofluorescence, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production as endpoints. Locomotion behaviors could be significantly decreased by exposure to 4-nm and 10-nm TiO₂-NPs at concentration of 1 ng/L in nematodes. Among genes required for the control of oxidative stress, only the expression patterns of sod-2 and sod-3 genes encoding Mn-SODs in animals exposed to small sizes of TiO₂-NPs were significantly different from those in animals exposed to large sizes of TiO₂-NPs. sod-2 and sod-3 gene expressions were closely correlated with lethality, growth, reproduction, locomotion behavior, intestinal autofluorescence, and ROS production in TiO₂-NPs-exposed animals. Ectopically expression of human and nematode Mn-SODs genes effectively prevented the induction of ROS production and the development of toxicity of TiO₂-NPs. Therefore, the altered expression patterns of Mn-SODs may explain the toxicity formation for different sizes of TiO₂-NPs at predicted environmental relevant concentrations. In addition, we demonstrated here a strategy to investigate the toxicological effects of exposure to NPs upon humans by generating transgenic strains in nematodes for specific human genes.