Nanomaterial and toxicity: what can proteomics tell us about the nanotoxicology?

Nanoformulations for the diagnosis and treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a progressive phase of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) that develops into irreversible liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, ultimately necessitating liver transplantation as the sole life-saving option. However, given the drawbacks of liver transplantation, including invasiveness, chronic immunosuppression, and a lack of donor livers, prompt diagnosis and effective treatment are indispensable. Due to the limitations of liver biopsy and conventional imaging modalities in diagnosing MASH, as well as the potential hazards associated with liver-protecting medicines, numerous nanoformulations have been created for MASH theranostics. Particularly, there has been significant study interest in artificial nanoparticles, natural biomaterials, and bionic nanoparticles that exhibit exceptional biocompatibility and bioavailability. In this review, we summarized extracellular vesicles (EVs)-based omics analysis and Fe3O4-based functional magnetic nanoparticles as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents for MASH diagnosis. Additionally, artificial nanoparticles such as organic and inorganic nanoparticles, as well as natural biomaterials such as cells and cell-derived EVs and bionic nanoparticles including cell membrane-coated nanoparticles, have also been reported for MASH treatment owing to their specific targeting and superior therapeutic effect. This review has the potential to stimulate advancements in nanoformulation fabrication techniques. By exploring their compatibility with cell biology, it could lead to the creation of innovative material systems for efficient theragnostic uses for MASH. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: People with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) will progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer. It is imperative to establish effective theragnostic techniques to stop MASH from progressing into a lethal condition. In our review, we summarize the advancement of artificial, natural, and bionic nanoparticles applied in MASH theragnosis. Furthermore, the issues that need to be resolved for these cutting-edge techniques are summarized to realize a more significant clinical impact. We forecast the key fields that will advance further as nanotechnology and MASH research progress. Generally, our discovery has significant implications for the advancement of nanoformulation fabrication techniques, and their potential to be compatible with cell biology could lead to the creation of innovative materials systems for effective MASH theragnostic.

Proteomics revealed composition- and size-related regulators for hepatic impairments induced by silica nanoparticles

Along with the growing production and application of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), increased human exposure and ensuing safety evaluation have progressively attracted concern. Accumulative data evidenced the hepatic injuries upon SiNPs inhalation. Still, the understanding of the hepatic outcomes resulting from SiNPs exposure, and underlying mechanisms are incompletely elucidated. Here, SiNPs of two sizes (60 nm and 300 nm) were applied to investigate their composition- and size-related impacts on livers of ApoE-/- mice via intratracheal instillation. Histopathological and biochemical analysis indicated SiNPs promoted inflammation, lipid deposition and fibrosis in the hepatic tissue, accompanied by increased ALT, AST, TC and TG. Oxidative stress was activated upon SiNPs stimuli, as evidenced by the increased hepatic ROS, MDA and declined GSH/GSSG. Of note, these alterations were more dramatic in SiNPs with a smaller size (SiNPs-60) but the same dosage. LC-MS/MS-based quantitative proteomics unveiled changes in mice liver protein profiles, and filtered out particle composition- or size-related molecules. Interestingly, altered lipid metabolism and oxidative damage served as two critical biological processes. In accordance with correlation analysis and liver disease-targeting prediction, a final of 10 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were selected as key potential targets attributable to composition- (4 molecules) and size-related (6 molecules) liver impairments upon SiNPs stimuli. Overall, our study provided strong laboratory evidence for a comprehensive understanding of the harmful biological effects of SiNPs, which was crucial for toxicological evaluation to ensure nanosafety.

Size- and Dose-Dependent Body-Wide Organ Transcriptomic Responses to Calcium Phosphate Nanomaterials

Nanomaterials are widely used in clinical practice. There are potential risks of body-wide infiltration due to their small size; however, the body-wide reliable risk assessment of nanoparticle infiltration is not fully studied and established. In this study, we demonstrated the size- and dose-dependent body-wide organ transcriptomic responses to calcium phosphate nanomaterials in vivo. In a mice model, a calcium phosphate nanocluster (amorphous calcium phosphate, ACP, ∼1 nm in diameter) and its crystallization product (ACP-M, ∼10 nm in diameter) in a series of doses was administrated systematically; multiorgan transcriptomics were then performed with tissues of heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and brain to investigate the systematic effect of dose and size of nanomaterials on the whole body. The results presented gene expression trajectories correlated with the dose of the nanomaterials and tissue-specific risk effects in all detected tissues. For the dose-dependent tissue-specific risk effects, lung tissue exhibited the most significant risk signatures related to apoptosis, cell proliferation, and cell stress. The spleen showed the second most significant risk signatures associated with immune response and DNA damage. For the size-dependent tissue-specific risk effects, ACP nanomaterials could increase most of the tissue-specific risk effects of nanomaterials in multiple organs than larger calcium phosphate nanoparticles. Finally, we used the size- and dose-dependent body-wide organ transcriptomic responses/risks to nanomaterials as the standards and built up a risk prediction model to evaluate the risk of the local nanomaterials delivery. Thus, our findings could provide a size- and dose- dependent risk assessment scale of nanoparticles in the transcriptomic level. It could be useful for risk assessment of nanomaterials in the future.

Omics approaches for the assessment of biological responses to nanoparticles

Nanotechnology has enabled the development of innovative therapeutics, diagnostics, and drug delivery systems. Nanoparticles (NPs) can influence gene expression, protein synthesis, cell cycle, metabolism, and other subcellular processes. While conventional methods have limitations in characterizing responses to NPs, omics approaches can analyze complete sets of molecular entities that change upon exposure to NPs. This review discusses key omics approaches, namely transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics and multi-omics, applied to the assessment of biological responses to NPs. Fundamental concepts and analytical methods used for each approach are presented, as well as good practices for omics experiments. Bioinformatics tools are essential to analyze, interpret and visualize large omics data, and to correlate observations in different molecular layers. The authors envision that conducting interdisciplinary multi-omics analyses in future nanomedicine studies will reveal integrated cell responses to NPs at different omics levels, and the incorporation of omics into the evaluation of targeted delivery, efficacy, and safety will improve the development of nanomedicine therapies.

Proteomic profiling reveals dysregulated mitochondrial complex subunits responsible for myocardial toxicity induced by SiNPs

The relationship between environmental exposure to silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) and adverse cardiac outcomes has received more attention. Our recent work has revealed a size-dependent impact of the intratracheal instilled SiNPs on cardiac health of ApoE^-/- mice using nanoscale SiNPs-60 and submicro-sized SiNPs-300, but the underlying mechanism of action still remains unclear. Hence, we identified proteins and protein networks perturbed by SiNPs in myocardial tissues of ApoE^-/- mice by using LC-MS/MS-based quantitative proteomics. A set of 435 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were screened in response to SiNPs, which mainly enriched in the mitochondria and functioned in cell metabolism, biosynthesis and signal transduction. KEGG analysis showed that DEPs were significantly associated with oxidative phosphorylation and cardiomyopathy. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network revealed 9 DEPs (e.g., Ndufs1, Ndufv1, Cox4i1) as potential biomarkers of SiNPs-induced myocardial toxicity. Of note, all the 9 candidate proteins were subunits of mitochondria respiratory chain complex, and their expressions were dependent on particle size, which were remarkably down-regulated by SiNPs-60 but not by SiNPs-300. More importantly, the correlation analysis verified the 9 dysregulated mitochondria complex protein subunits strongly correlated to the biochemical and functional indexes of cardiac injury in response to SiNPs. In conclusion, our study firstly provided significant proteomic insights into the potential molecular mechanisms underlying SiNPs-elicited cardiotoxicity, with the dysregulated mitochondrial complex subunits as core regulatory molecules. Overall, our study would provide the scientific basis for the molecular actions and mechanisms of toxicity induced by SiNPs.

Proteomics unite traditional toxicological assessment methods to evaluate the toxicity of iron oxide nanoparticles

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are the first generation of nanomaterials approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as imaging agents and for the treatment of iron deficiency in chronic kidney disease. However, several IONPs-based imaging agents have been withdrawn because of toxic effects and the poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms. This study aimed to evaluate IONPs toxicity and to elucidate the underlying mechanism after intravenous administration in rats. Seven-week-old rats were intravenously administered IONPs at doses of 0, 10, 30, and 90 mg/kg body weight for 14 consecutive days. Toxicity and molecular perturbations were evaluated using traditional toxicological assessment methods and proteomics approaches, respectively. The administration of 90 mg/kg IONPs induced mild toxic effects, including abnormal clinical signs, lower body weight gain, changes in serum biochemical and hematological parameters, and increased organ coefficients in the spleen, liver, heart, and kidneys. Toxicokinetics, tissue distribution, histopathological, and transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed that the spleen was the primary organ for IONPs elimination from the systemic circulation and that the macrophage lysosomes were the main organelles of IONPs accumulation after intravenous administration. We identified 197 upregulated and 75 downregulated proteins in the spleen following IONPs administration by proteomics. Mechanically, the AKT/mTOR/TFEB signaling pathway facilitated autophagy and lysosomal activation in splenic macrophages. This is the first study to elucidate the mechanism of IONPs toxicity by combining proteomics with traditional methods for toxicity assessment.

Safety Assessment of Nanomaterials in Cosmetics: Focus on Dermal and Hair Dyes Products

Nanomaterials use in cosmetics is markedly enhancing, so their exposure and toxicity are important parameters to consider for their risk assessment. This review article provides an overview of the active cosmetic ingredients used for cosmetic application, including dermal cosmetics and also hair dye cosmetics, as well as their safety assessment, enriched with a compilation of the safety assessment tests available to evaluate the different types of toxicity. In fact, despite the increase in research and the number of papers published in the field of nanotechnology, the related safety assessment is still insufficient. To elucidate the possible effects that nanosized particles can have on living systems, more studies reproducing similar conditions to what happens in vivo should be conducted, particularly considering the complex interactions of the biological systems and active cosmetic ingredients to achieve newer, safer, and more efficient nanomaterials. Toward this end, ecological issues and the toxicological pattern should also be a study target.

Molecular Effects of Biogenic Zinc Nanoparticles on the Growth and Development of Brassica napus L. Revealed by Proteomics and Transcriptomics

Plants are indispensable on earth and their improvement in terms of food security is a need of time. The current study has been designed to investigate how biogenic zinc nanoparticles (Zn NPs) can improve the growth and development of Brassica napus L. In this study, Zn NPs were synthesized utilizing Mentha arvensis aqueous extracts, and their morphological and optical properties were assessed using UV-Visible spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The synthesized Zn NPs were irregular in shape, indicating aggregation in pattern, with an average particle size of 30 nm, while XRD analysis revealed the crystalline structure of nanoparticles. The growth and development of B. napus varieties (Faisal canola and Shiralee) were assessed after foliar treatments with different concentrations of biogenic Zn NPs. In B. napus varieties, exposure to 15 mg/L Zn NPs dramatically increased chlorophyll, carotenoid content, and biomass accumulation. Similarly, proteomic analyses, on the other hand, revealed that proteins associated with photosynthesis, transport, glycolysis, and stress response in both Brassica varieties were substantially altered. Such exposure to Zn NPs, differential expression of genes associated with photosynthesis, ribosome structural constituents, and oxidative stress response were considerably upregulated in B. napus var. (Faisal and Shiralee canola). The results of this study revealed that foliar applications of biogenic Zn NPs influence the transcriptome and protein profiling positively, therefore stimulating plant growth and development.

Non-apoptotic cell death-based cancer therapy: Molecular mechanism, pharmacological modulators, and nanomedicine

As an emerging cancer therapeutic target, non-apoptotic cell death such as ferroptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis, etc., has revealed significant potential in cancer treatment for bypassing apoptosis to enhance the undermined therapeutic efficacy triggered by apoptosis resistance. A variety of anticancer drugs, synthesized compounds and natural products have been proven recently to induce non-apoptotic cell death and exhibit excellent anti-tumor effects. Moreover, the convergence of nanotechnology with functional materials and biomedicine science has provided tremendous opportunities to construct non-apoptotic cell death-based nanomedicine for innovative cancer therapy. Nanocarriers are not only employed in targeted delivery of non-apoptotic inducers, but also used as therapeutic components to induce non-apoptotic cell death to achieve efficient tumor treatment. This review first introduces the main characteristics, the mechanism and various pharmacological modulators of different non-apoptotic cell death forms, including ferroptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, paraptosis, lysosomal-dependent cell death, and oncosis. Second, we comprehensively review the latest progresses of nanomedicine that induces various forms of non-apoptotic cell death and focus on the nanomedicine targeting different pathways and components. Furthermore, the combination therapies of non-apoptotic cell death with photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy and other modalities are summarized. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives in this regard are also discussed.

Adsorption of free radical TEMPO onto Al2O3 nanoparticles and evaluation of radical scavenging activity

This study describes the adsorption of free radical TEMPO onto Al₂O₃ nanoparticles in the solvents with different polarities including DMF, methanol, acetone, THF, petroleum ether and n-hexane at ambient temperature to evaluate the radical scavenging activity. The adsorption percentage of radical is calculated by measuring the maximum adsorption intensity of the ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectrum of TEMPO in the presence and the absence of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles. The morphology of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles before and after adsorption of TEMPO is studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The adsorption energy and other thermochemical data for the adsorption of TEMPO over different active sites of Al₂O₃ are estimated via dispersion corrected density functional theory (DFT + Disp). The donor-acceptor interactions between Al₂O₃ and TEMPO are calculated using natural bond orbital (NBO) theory. It is found that Al₂O₃ nanoparticles have efficient radical scavenging activity (RSA) in the range of 50-72%. Approximately, a linear relationship between dielectric constant of solvent and the absorption percentage of TEMPO over Al₂O₃ nanoparticles is achieved. So that with decreasing the polarity of solvent, the adsorption of TEMPO onto Al₂O₃ nanoparticles is increased. The adsorption of TEMPO over Lewis acidic sites of Al₂O₃ is more favored than Brønsted acidic and basic sites. The comparison between experimental and calculated IR spectra of TEMPO/Al₂O₃ complexes provides the good evidence for adsorption of TEMPO onto the surface of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles.

Analysis of Nanotoxicity with Integrated Omics and Mechanobiology

Nanoparticles (NPs) in biomedical applications have benefits owing to their small size. However, their intricate and sensitive nature makes an evaluation of the adverse effects of NPs on health necessary and challenging. Since there are limitations to conventional toxicological methods and omics analyses provide a more comprehensive molecular profiling of multifactorial biological systems, omics approaches are necessary to evaluate nanotoxicity. Compared to a single omics layer, integrated omics across multiple omics layers provides more sensitive and comprehensive details on NP-induced toxicity based on network integration analysis. As multi-omics data are heterogeneous and massive, computational methods such as machine learning (ML) have been applied for investigating correlation among each omics. This integration of omics and ML approaches will be helpful for analyzing nanotoxicity. To that end, mechanobiology has been applied for evaluating the biophysical changes in NPs by measuring the traction force and rigidity sensing in NP-treated cells using a sub-elastomeric pillar. Therefore, integrated omics approaches are suitable for elucidating mechanobiological effects exerted by NPs. These technologies will be valuable for expanding the safety evaluations of NPs. Here, we review the integration of omics, ML, and mechanobiology for evaluating nanotoxicity.

The cytotoxicity of core-shell or non-shell structure quantum dots and reflection on environmental friendly: A review

Quantum dots are widely applicated into bioindustry and research owing to its superior properties such as broad excitation spectra, narrow bandwidth emission spectra and high resistance to photo-bleaching. However, the toxicity of quantum dots should not be underestimated and aroused widespread concern. The surface properties and size of quantum dots are critical relevant properties on toxicity. Then, the core/shell structure becomes one common way to affect the activity of quantum dots such as enhance biocompatibility and stability. Except those toxicity it induced, the problem it brought into the environment such as the degradation of quantum dot similarly becomes a hot issue. This review initially took a brief scan of current research on the cytotoxicity of QDs and the mechanism behind that over the past five years. Mainly discussion concentrated on the diversity of structure on quantum dots whether played a key role on the cytotoxicty of quantum dots. It also discussed the role of different shells with metal or nonmetal cores and the influence on the environment.

Chitosan-stabilized selenium nanoparticles attenuate acrylamide-induced brain injury in rats

Acrylamide (ACR) is produced during food processing and has been shown to cause health problems. Selenium, especially in its nanoscale, is an important trace element in human nutrition. Chitosan-stabilized selenium nanoparticles (Ch-SeNPs) stability and its protective potential against ACR-induced injury in rats were evaluated. Ch-SeNPs displayed high radical-scavenging activity and reducing power that were not significantly changed for 60 days at 4°C. The transmission electron microscopy images and dynamic light scattering results demonstrated high stability of Ch-SeNPs during storage. ACR (20 mg kg-1  day-1 ) led to elevate the level of malondialdehyde, dopamine and noradrenaline in blood serum, and cerebral cortex. Ch-SeNPs (0.2 mg kg-1  day-1 ) displayed more protection against ACR-induced damages comparing to Na2 SeO3 . More than 90% of the glutathione pool in the brain tissue was in reduced form. Correlation coefficient analysis demonstrated the attenuating effect of Ch-SeNPs against ACR-induced brain-injury and hormone imbalance. Administrating Ch-SeNPs 15 days before ACR-treatment is required for obtaining the best protection. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Ch-SeNPs used in the present study characterized by its high storage stability for two months without losing its antioxidant potential. After conducting toxicity tests, it is suggested to supplement some foods with Ch-SeNPs because of its high antioxidant potential and significant protection ability against the oxidative stress damages in living organisms. These advantages may nominate the Ch-SeNPs for several industrial applications in the field of food processing and protection.

Reducing the effective dose of cisplatin using gold nanoparticles as carriers

Nanotechnology is a frequent treatment for cancer. Nanomaterials are the vehicles which deliver drugs in smaller but equally effective quantities. The aim of this investigation is to synthesize gold nanoparticles, functionalize them for the transportation of cisplatin and release them to the cancer-affected area. They have the same cytotoxicity as conventional treatments but with the smallest effective quantity of cisplatin. We synthesized spherical gold nanoparticles using the Turkevich method. We functionalized them with polyethylene glycol and cisplatin, adapting the method used by Sun. Using electronic transmission microscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering and potential Z, we analyzed the size, hydrodynamic size, shape and stability of the synthesized nanoparticles. We analyzed their composition using images from scanning electronic microscopy to carry out energy dispersive spectroscopy measurements, ultraviolet/visible light spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We used MTT tests to find cell viability and obtained the IC50 of the different cancer cell lines. The synthesized nanoparticles were spherical in shape and, after functionalization, were of the core–shell type. They contain approximately 7% cisplatin. The IC50 obtained diminished approximately 7 times (compared to the IC50 of cisplatin used alone) when using the gold nanoparticles. Therefore, this study opens up the possibility of an alternative way of transporting the cisplatin anticancer drug, using gold nanoparticles. It decreases the dose and has the same effect as the cisplatin, so that the undesired side effects decrease.

Exploration of the Natural Active Small-Molecule Drug-Loading Process and Highly Efficient Synergistic Antitumor Efficacy

The development and application of nano-drug carriers might provide an excellent opportunity for cancer therapy. However, it is still an important challenge to realize the regulation and control of drug loading by analyzing the assembly process of carrier-loaded drugs. Herein, we show a "self-contained bioactive nanocarrier" system, which is prepared from ursolic acid, one of the very promising biologically active natural products with self-assembly properties. The study decrypts the assembly process of drug-carrier interaction and achieves the regulation of drug loading by controlling the interaction force. This nanocarrier highlights the unique advantages of active natural products in therapeutic efficacy and health benefits. In antitumor experiments, the carrier and drug demonstrated synergistic therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, the nanocarrier is biosafe and capable of reducing the risk of liver damage induced by chemotherapeutics through the upregulation of key antioxidant pathways. Taken together, this "self-contained bioactive nanocarrier" system makes up for the drawback that conventional nanocarriers have no therapeutic efficacy and health benefits and eliminates the trouble of the toxic side effects associated with chemotherapy agents and the additional toxicity caused by long-term use of nanocarriers.

Evaluation of the cytotoxic and cellular proteome impacts of food-grade TiO2 (E171) using simulated gastrointestinal digestions and a tri-culture small intestinal epithelial model

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are widely used in the food industry; however, regulations for ENMs in food are still in the early stages of development due to insufficient health data. This study investigated the cytotoxicity and changes to the proteomic profile in an in vitro small intestinal epithelium model after exposure to digested food models containing the ubiquitous engineered particulate food additive, TiO₂ (E171) with an average size around 110 nm. TiO₂ at 0.75% or 1.5% (w/w) concentrations in either a fasting food model (FFM) or a standardized food model (SFM) based on American diet were digested using an in vitro oral-gastric-small intestinal simulator, and the resulting digestas were applied to a small intestinal epithelium tri-culture cellular model. Effects on cell layer integrity, cytotoxicity, and oxidative stress were assessed. In order to explore the impact on cellular processes beyond basic cytotoxicity, mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomic analyses of control and exposed tri-culture cells was performed. TiO₂ in FFM, but not in SFM, produced significant, dose-dependent cytotoxicity (24%, p<0.001), and at the higher dose caused significant oxidative stress (1.24-fold, p<0.01), indicative of a food matrix effect. No significant perturbations of the cellular proteome were observed with TiO₂ in either FFM or SFM food models. However, proteins involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis were up-regulated by digestas from SFM compared to those from FFM, indicative of a food matrix effect on the cellular proteome. Interestingly, the differences in profiles between the two food models was more pronounced in the presence of TiO₂. Together, these results indicate that TiO₂ in a fasting diet may be slightly cytotoxic, and that ingested TiO₂ does not significantly alter the epithelial proteome, whereas the food matrix alone can have a dramatic effect on the proteome.

Effects of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3) on Liver, Lung and Brain Proteomes following Sub-Acute Intranasal Exposure: A New Toxicological Assessment in Rat Model Using iTRAQ-Based Quantitative Proteomics

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (IONPs) present unique properties making them one of the most used NPs in the biomedical field. Nevertheless, for many years, growing production and use of IONPs are associated with risks that can affect human and the environment. Thus, it is essential to study the effects of these nanoparticles to better understand their mechanism of action and the molecular perturbations induced in the organism. In the present study, we investigated the toxicological effects of IONPs (γ-Fe2O3) on liver, lung and brain proteomes in Wistar rats. Exposed rats received IONP solution during 7 consecutive days by intranasal instillation at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight. An iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics was used to study proteomic variations at the level of the three organs. Using this proteomic approach, we identified 1565; 1135 and 1161 proteins respectively in the brain, liver and lung. Amon them, we quantified 1541; 1125 and 1128 proteins respectively in the brain, liver and lung. Several proteins were dysregulated comparing treated samples to controls, particularly, proteins involved in cytoskeleton remodeling, cellular metabolism, immune system stimulation, inflammation process, response to oxidative stress, angiogenesis, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Recent Technological Advances in the Mass Spectrometry-based Nanomedicine Studies: An Insight from Nanoproteomics

Nanoscience becomes one of the most cutting-edge research directions in recent years since it is gradually matured from basic to applied science. Nanoparticles (NPs) and nanomaterials (NMs) play important roles in various aspects of biomedicine science, and their influences on the environment have caused a whole range of uncertainties which require extensive attention. Due to the quantitative and dynamic information provided for human proteome, mass spectrometry (MS)-based quantitative proteomic technique has been a powerful tool for nanomedicine study. In this article, recent trends of progress and development in the nanomedicine of proteomics were discussed from quantification techniques and publicly available resources or tools. First, a variety of popular protein quantification techniques including labeling and label-free strategies applied to nanomedicine studies are overviewed and systematically discussed. Then, numerous protein profiling tools for data processing and postbiological statistical analysis and publicly available data repositories for providing enrichment MS raw data information sources are also discussed.

Enhanced Proapoptotic Effects of Water Dispersed Complexes of 4-Thiazolidinone-Based Chemotherapeutics with a PEG-Containing Polymeric Nanocarrier

AIM

To study whether water formulation of the complex of 4-thiazolidinone derivatives with a PEG-containing polymeric nanocarrier enhances their pro-apoptotic action towards rat glioma C6 cells.

METHODS

Mechanisms of antineoplastic effects of 4-thiazolidinone derivatives were investigated in vitro with rat glioma C6 cells. Cell nativity, cell cycling pattern, and Annexin V expression were evaluated and DNA damage was estimated by DNA comet analysis. A novel water-based formulation of 4-thiazolidinone derivatives complexed with a polymeric nanocarrier was utilized for enhancing pro-apoptotic action towards C6 cells.

RESULTS

The studied 4-thiazolidinone derivatives use apoptosis mechanisms for killing rat glioma C6 cells, as confirmed by FACS analysis of these cells in pre-G1 stage, the appearance of Annexin V positive C6 cells, and an increased number of DNA comets of higher classes. Complexation of the studied compounds with a PEG-containing polymeric nanocarrier significantly increased pro-apoptotic effects in rat glioma C6 cells measured by all methods mentioned above.

CONCLUSION

Complexation of 4-thiazolidinone derivatives with a PEG-containing polymeric nanocarrier provided them with water solubility and enhanced pro-apoptotic effects in rat glioma C6 cells.

Comb-like PEG-containing polymeric composition as low toxic drug nanocarrier

BACKGROUND

Development of biocompatible multifunctional polymeric drug carriers is crucial in modern pharmaceutics aimed to create "smart" drugs. The high potential of the PEGylated comb-like polymeric nanocarrier (PNC) in delivering both traditional and experimental drugs to tumor cells in vitro and in vivo has been demonstrated previously. In the present study, we investigated the general toxicity of polyethylene glycol (PEG) processed with both covalent and non-covalent attachments of PEG to compose a comb-like polymer that behaves like a simple chain of n monomers decorated with swollen side chains. The PNC possesses properties of a water-soluble surfactant containing methyl-terminated PEG side branches in some monomer units attached covalently to the carbon chain backbone.

RESULTS

We have demonstrated that the synthesized PNC possesses weak toxic effects toward human leukemia cells (HL-60 and Jurkat lines), as well as toward hepatocellular (HepG2), colon (HCT116) and breast (MCF-7) tumor cell lines. Additionally, after a long period (20 days) of intraperitoneal administration, the PNC had no significant toxic effects in laboratory white mice (470 mg/kg body mass in 1 ml) and Wistar rats (440 mg/kg body mass in 10 ml).

CONCLUSION

The developed PNC we studied can be qualified as a compound of grade 4 toxicity (low toxicity substance). The reduced toxicity of this PNC in combination with its improved bioavailability and previously detected capability to enhance cytotoxicity toward tumor cells in vitro and potential tumor treatment effects in vivo suggests its potential as a safe drug delivery platform for treating various diseases, especially cancer.

Dose-dependent cytotoxicity of bismuth nanoparticles produced by LASiS in a reference mammalian cell line BALB/c 3T3

Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as new potential tools for many applications in previous years. Among all types of NPs, bismuth NPs (BiNPs) have a very low cost and potential for many applications, ranging from medicine to industry. Although the toxic effects of bismuth have been studied, little is known about its toxicity at the nanoscale level. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of BiNPs produced by laser ablation synthesis in solution (LASiS) in a reference mammalian cell line to evaluate their cytotoxicity (BALB/c 3 T3 cells). We also stabilized BiNPs in two different solutions: culture medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). The cytotoxicity of BiNPs in culture medium (IC₅₀:28.51 ± 9.96 μg/ml) and in BSA (IC₅₀:25.54 ± 8.37 μg/ml) was assessed, and they were not significantly different. Second, the LD₅₀ was predicted, and BiNPs were estimated as GHS class 4. We also found that cell death occurs due to apoptosis. By evaluating the interaction between BiNPs and cells at ultrastructural level, we suggest that cell death occurs once BiNPs are internalized. Additionally, we suggest that BiNPs cause cell damage because myelin figures were found inside cells that had internalized BiNPs. To date, this is the first study to assess the cytotoxicity of BiNPs produced by LASiS and to predict the possible LD₅₀ and GHS class of BiNPs.

Natural Nanoparticles: A Particular Matter Inspired by Nature

During the last couple of decades, the rapidly advancing field of nanotechnology has produced a wide palette of nanomaterials, most of which are considered as “synthetic” and, among the wider public, are often met with a certain suspicion. Despite the technological sophistication behind many of these materials, “nano” does not always equate with “artificial”. Indeed, nature itself is an excellent nanotechnologist. It provides us with a range of fine particles, from inorganic ash, soot, sulfur and mineral particles found in the air or in wells, to sulfur and selenium nanoparticles produced by many bacteria and yeasts. These nanomaterials are entirely natural, and, not surprisingly, there is a growing interest in the development of natural nanoproducts, for instance in the emerging fields of phyto- and phyco-nanotechnology. This review will highlight some of the most recent—and sometimes unexpected—advances in this exciting and diverse field of research and development. Naturally occurring nanomaterials, artificially produced nanomaterials of natural products as well as naturally occurring or produced nanomaterials of natural products all show their own, particular chemical and physical properties, biological activities and promise for applications, especially in the fields of medicine, nutrition, cosmetics and agriculture. In the future, such natural nanoparticles will not only stimulate research and add a greener outlook to a traditionally high-tech field, they will also provide solutions—pardon—suspensions for a range of problems. Here, we may anticipate specific biogenic factories, valuable new materials based on waste, the effective removal of contaminants as part of nano-bioremediation, and the conversion of poorly soluble substances and materials to biologically available forms for practical uses.

Protein Corona Analysis of Silver Nanoparticles Links to Their Cellular Effects

The breadth of applications of nanoparticles and the access to food-associated consumer products containing nanosized materials lead to oral human exposure to such particles. In biological fluids nanoparticles dynamically interact with biomolecules and form a protein corona. Knowledge about the protein corona is of great interest for understanding the molecular effects of particles as well as their fate inside the human body. We used a mass spectrometry-based toxicoproteomics approach to elucidate mechanisms of toxicity of silver nanoparticles and to comprehensively characterize the protein corona formed around silver nanoparticles in Caco-2 human intestinal epithelial cells. Results were compared with respect to the cellular function of proteins either affected by exposure to nanoparticles or present in the protein corona. A transcriptomic data set was included in the analyses in order to obtain a combined multiomics view of nanoparticle-affected cellular processes. A relationship between corona proteins and the proteomic or transcriptomic responses was revealed, showing that differentially regulated proteins or transcripts were engaged in the same cellular signaling pathways. Protein corona analyses of nanoparticles in cells might therefore help in obtaining information about the molecular consequences of nanoparticle treatment.