1
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Lin H, Buerki-Thurnherr T, Kaur J, Wick P, Pelin M, Tubaro A, Carniel FC, Tretiach M, Flahaut E, Iglesias D, Vázquez E, Cellot G, Ballerini L, Castagnola V, Benfenati F, Armirotti A, Sallustrau A, Taran F, Keck M, Bussy C, Vranic S, Kostarelos K, Connolly M, Navas JM, Mouchet F, Gauthier L, Baker J, Suarez-Merino B, Kanerva T, Prato M, Fadeel B, Bianco A. Environmental and Health Impacts of Graphene and Other Two-Dimensional Materials: A Graphene Flagship Perspective. ACS NANO 2024; 18:6038-6094. [PMID: 38350010 PMCID: PMC10906101 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c09699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted tremendous interest ever since the isolation of atomically thin sheets of graphene in 2004 due to the specific and versatile properties of these materials. However, the increasing production and use of 2D materials necessitate a thorough evaluation of the potential impact on human health and the environment. Furthermore, harmonized test protocols are needed with which to assess the safety of 2D materials. The Graphene Flagship project (2013-2023), funded by the European Commission, addressed the identification of the possible hazard of graphene-based materials as well as emerging 2D materials including transition metal dichalcogenides, hexagonal boron nitride, and others. Additionally, so-called green chemistry approaches were explored to achieve the goal of a safe and sustainable production and use of this fascinating family of nanomaterials. The present review provides a compact survey of the findings and the lessons learned in the Graphene Flagship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazel Lin
- CNRS,
UPR3572, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, ISIS, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Tina Buerki-Thurnherr
- Empa,
Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Particles-Biology Interactions, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Jasreen Kaur
- Nanosafety
& Nanomedicine Laboratory, Institute
of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 177 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Wick
- Empa,
Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Particles-Biology Interactions, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Marco Pelin
- Department
of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Aurelia Tubaro
- Department
of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Tretiach
- Department
of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Emmanuel Flahaut
- CIRIMAT,
Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT,
UPS, 31062 Toulouse CEDEX 9, France
| | - Daniel Iglesias
- Facultad
de Ciencias y Tecnologías Químicas, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
- Instituto
Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ester Vázquez
- Facultad
de Ciencias y Tecnologías Químicas, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
- Instituto
Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Giada Cellot
- International
School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Laura Ballerini
- International
School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Valentina Castagnola
- Center
for
Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy
- IRCCS
Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center
for
Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy
- IRCCS
Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- Analytical
Chemistry Facility, Istituto Italiano di
Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Antoine Sallustrau
- Département
Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191, France
| | - Frédéric Taran
- Département
Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191, France
| | - Mathilde Keck
- Département
Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191, France
| | - Cyrill Bussy
- Nanomedicine
Lab, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester,
Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, National Graphene Institute, Manchester M13 9PT, United
Kingdom
| | - Sandra Vranic
- Nanomedicine
Lab, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester,
Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, National Graphene Institute, Manchester M13 9PT, United
Kingdom
| | - Kostas Kostarelos
- Nanomedicine
Lab, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester,
Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, National Graphene Institute, Manchester M13 9PT, United
Kingdom
| | - Mona Connolly
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología
Agraria
y Alimentaria (INIA), CSIC, Carretera de la Coruña Km 7,5, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Maria Navas
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología
Agraria
y Alimentaria (INIA), CSIC, Carretera de la Coruña Km 7,5, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Florence Mouchet
- Laboratoire
Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31000 Toulouse, France
| | - Laury Gauthier
- Laboratoire
Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31000 Toulouse, France
| | - James Baker
- TEMAS Solutions GmbH, 5212 Hausen, Switzerland
| | | | - Tomi Kanerva
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 00250 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maurizio Prato
- Center
for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014 Donostia-San
Sebastián, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Bengt Fadeel
- Nanosafety
& Nanomedicine Laboratory, Institute
of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 177 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alberto Bianco
- CNRS,
UPR3572, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, ISIS, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
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2
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Ao LH, Wei YG, Tian HR, Zhao H, Li J, Ban JQ. Advances in the study of silica nanoparticles in lung diseases. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169352. [PMID: 38110102 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiNPs) are one of the major forms of silicon dioxide and are composed of the most-abundant compounds on earth. Based on their excellent properties, SiNPs are widely used in food production, synthetic processes, medical diagnostics, drug delivery, and other fields. The mass production and wide application of SiNPs increases the risk of human exposure to SiNPs. In the workplace and environment, SiNPs mainly enter the human body through the respiratory tract and reach the lungs; therefore, the lungs are the most important and most toxicologically affected target organ of SiNPs. An increasing number of studies have shown that SiNP exposure can cause severe lung toxicity. However, studies on the toxicity of SiNPs in ex vivo and in vivo settings are still in the exploratory phase. The molecular mechanisms underlying the lung toxicity of SiNPs are varied and not yet fully understood. As a result, this review summarizes the possible mechanisms of SiNP-induced lung toxicity, such as oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial damage, and cell death. Moreover, this study provides a summary of the progression of diseases caused by SiNPs, thereby establishing a theoretical basis for future studies on the mechanisms of SiNP-induced lung toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Hong Ao
- School of Public Heath, The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, China
| | - Yun-Geng Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong-Ru Tian
- School of Public Heath, The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, China
| | - Hua Zhao
- School of Public Heath, The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, China
| | - Jun Li
- School of Public Heath, The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, China
| | - Jia-Qi Ban
- School of Public Heath, The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, China.
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3
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Storsjö T, Tinnerberg H, Sun J, Ruiqi C, Farbrot A. Elemental carbon - An efficient method to measure occupational exposure from materials in the graphene family. NANOIMPACT 2024; 33:100499. [PMID: 38369193 DOI: 10.1016/j.impact.2024.100499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Graphene is a 2D-material with many useful properties such as flexibility, elasticity, and conductivity among others. Graphene could therefore become a material used in many occupational fields in the future, which can give rise to occupational exposure. Today, exposure is unknown, due to the lack of efficient measuring techniques for occupational exposure to graphene. Readily available screening techniques for air sampling and -analysis are either nonspecific or nonquantitative. Quantifying materials from the broad graphene family by an easy-to-use method is important for the large-scale industrial application of graphene, especially when for the safety of working environment. Graphene consists primarily of elemental carbon, and the present study evaluates the organic carbon/elemental carbon (OC/EC)-technique for exposure assessment. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the OC/EC analysis technique as an efficient and easy-to-use method for quantification of occupational exposure to graphene. Methods that can identify graphene would be preferable for screening, but they are time consuming and semi-quantitative and therefore not suited for quantitative work environment assessments. The OC/EC-technique is a thermal optical analysis (TOA), that quantitively determines the amount of and distinguishes between two different types of carbon, organic and elemental. The technique is standardised, well-established and among other things used for diesel exposure measurements (ref standard). OC/EC could therefore be a feasible measuring technique to quantitively determine occupational exposure to graphene. The present evaluation of the technique provides an analytical method that works quantitatively for graphene, graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide. Interestingly, the TOA technique makes it possible to distinguish between the three graphene forms used in this study. The technique was tested in an industrial setting and the outcome suggests that the technique is an efficient monitoring technique to be used in combination with characterisation techniques like for example Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Storsjö
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Håkan Tinnerberg
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Jinhua Sun
- Materials and Manufacture, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Chen Ruiqi
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Materials and Manufacture, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Anne Farbrot
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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4
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Motta G, Gualtieri M, Bengalli R, Saibene M, Belosi F, Nicosia A, Cabellos J, Mantecca P. An integrated new approach methodology for inhalation risk assessment of safe and sustainable by design nanomaterials. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 183:108420. [PMID: 38199131 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The production and use of nanomaterials (NMs) has increased over the last decades posing relevant questions on their risk after release and exposure of the population or sub-populations. In this context, the safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) approach framework requires to assess the potential hazard connected with intrinsic properties of the material along the whole life cycle of the NM and/or of the nano enabled products. Moreover, in the last years, the use of new advanced methodologies (NAMs) has increasingly gained attention for the use of alternative methods in obtaining relevant information on NMs hazard and risk. Considering the SSbD and the NAMs frameworks, within the ASINA H2020 project, we developed new NAMs devoted at improving the hazard and risk definition of different Ag and TiO2 NPs. The NAMs are developed considering two air liquid interface exposure systems, the Vitrocell Cloud-α and the Cultex Compact module and the relevant steps to obtain reproducible exposures are described. The new NAMs build on the integration of environmental monitoring campaigns at nano-coating production sites, allowing the quantification by the multiple-path particle dosimetry (MPPD) model of the expected lung deposited dose in occupational settings. Starting from this information, laboratory exposures to the aerosolized NPs are performed by using air liquid interface exposure equipment and human alveolar cells (epithelial cells and macrophages), replicating the doses of exposure estimated in workers by MPPD. Preliminary results on cell viability and inflammatory responses are reported. The proposed NAMs may represent possible future reference procedures for assessing the NPs inhalation toxicology, supporting risk assessment at real exposure doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Motta
- University of Milano Bicocca, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy; Research Centre POLARIS, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Gualtieri
- Research Centre POLARIS, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy.
| | - Rossella Bengalli
- Research Centre POLARIS, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Melissa Saibene
- Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Franco Belosi
- CNR-ISAC, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council of Italy, Via Gobetti, 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessia Nicosia
- CNR-ISAC, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council of Italy, Via Gobetti, 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Joan Cabellos
- Leitat Technological Center, c/de la Innovació 2, Terrassa, 08225 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paride Mantecca
- Research Centre POLARIS, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
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5
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Ede JD, Diges AS, Zhang Y, Shatkin JA. Life-cycle risk assessment of graphene-enabled textiles in fire protection gear. NANOIMPACT 2024; 33:100488. [PMID: 37940075 DOI: 10.1016/j.impact.2023.100488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
A nanomaterial life-cycle risk assessment (Nano LCRA) of a graphene-enabled textile used in the construction of heat and fire-resistant personal protective equipment (PPE) was conducted to develop, analyze, and prioritize potential occupational, health and environmental risks. The analysis identifies potential receptors and exposure pathways at each product life-cycle stage and makes a qualitative evaluation of the potential significance of each scenario. A literature review, quality evaluation, and database were developed as part of the LCRA to identify potential hazards associated with graphene-based materials (GBMs) throughout the product life-cycle. Generally, risks identified from graphene-enabled textiles were low. Of the developed exposure scenarios, occupational inhalation exposures during raw material and product manufacturing ranked highest. The analysis identifies the key potential human and environmental hazards and exposures of the products across the product life-cycle of graphene enabled textiles. Priority research gaps to reduce uncertainty include evaluating long-term, low dose graphene exposures typical of the workplace, as well as the potential release and hazard characterization of graphene-acrylic nanocomposites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yueyang Zhang
- Vireo Advisors LLC, Boston, MA 02205, USA; University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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6
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Meng F, Hao H, Guo Z, Liu W, Zhang S, Tang W, Ma W, Shang X. Silica nanoparticles induces sperm granuloma formation and blood-epididymal barrier disruption via the p38 MAPK pathway in mice. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 182:114113. [PMID: 37890760 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.114113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Previous researches have demonstrated that the silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), which are widely used in all aspects of life, are hazardous to the male reproductive system. However, the cellular and molecular mechanism underlying SiNPs toxicity to the epididymis remain unclear. In this present study, a total of 60 male mice were separated into 4 groups and then treated to SiNPs for 7 consecutive days at a dose of 0, 2.5, 10, and 20 mg/kg body weight. The results showed that SiNPs could alter the histological structure of epididymis and induce sperm granuloma formation, leading to decreased sperm quality and quantity. In addition, the ultrastructure and permeability of blood-epididymal barrier (BEB) were impaired after exposure to SiNPs, and a significant downregulation of integral membrane proteins at the BEB was detected. SiNPs were also found to raise the percentage of macrophages in the epithelium and interstitium of the epididymis, followed by increased expression of pro-inflammatory molecules including TNF α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Meanwhile, SiNPs induced oxidative stress in epididymis, as shown by the markedly elevated generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and upregulated activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Further study showed that SiNPs activated the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, which accelerated clathrin-mediated endocytosis of integral membrane proteins and perturb vesicular trafficking. Taken together, exposure to SiNPs could induce sperm granuloma formation and impair the integrity of BEB in mice through activating the p38 MAPK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyu Meng
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei 063210, PR China
| | - Huiyu Hao
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei 063210, PR China
| | - Zhiyi Guo
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei 063210, PR China; Tangshan Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Genetic Information, PR China
| | - Wenpeng Liu
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei 063210, PR China
| | - Shumin Zhang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei 063210, PR China
| | - Wenxuan Tang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei 063210, PR China
| | - Wendong Ma
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei 063210, PR China
| | - Xuan Shang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei 063210, PR China; Tangshan Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Genetic Information, PR China.
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7
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Zhou S, Wang Z, Gao L, Chen M, Duan Y, Zhou P, Liu Z, Wu C, Zhang J, Zhu Q. C5a/C5aR1 axis as a key driver promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in airway epithelial cells in silica nanoparticles-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 125:111112. [PMID: 37948857 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) exposure can affect the respiratory, cardiovascular, reproductive and other systems, with the lung being the primary target organ for the direct effect, causing damage with a central feature of pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. However, the underlying mechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis due to SiNPs are not fully understood. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of complement anaphylatoxin C5a in SiNPs-induced pulmonary fibrosis. A mouse model of SiNPs-induced pulmonary fibrosis was established, and pulmonary fibrosis-related indicators, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), C5a/C5aR1 and high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) proteins were measured. An in vitro study using the human lung epithelial cell line BEAS-2B investigated whether C5a leads to epithelial-to-mesenchymal trans-differentiation. In vivo studies revealed that SiNPs-induced pulmonary fibrosis mainly manifested as EMT trans-differentiation in airway epithelial cells, which subsequently led to excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). Furthermore, we found that C5a and C5aR1 proteins were also increased in SiNPs-induced pulmonary fibrosis tissue. In vitro studies also showed that C5a directly activated HMGB1/RAGE signaling and induced EMT in BEAS-2B cells. Finally, treatment of SiNPs-exposed mice with the C5aR1 inhibitor PMX205 effectively reduced C5aR1 levels and inhibited the activation of HMGB1/RAGE signaling and the expression of EMT-related proteins, culminating in a significant alleviation of pulmonary fibrosis. Taken together, our results suggest that C5a/C5aR1 is the main signaling pathway for SiNPs-induced pulmonary fibrosis, which induces EMT in airway epithelial cells via the HMGB1/RAGE axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sifan Zhou
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhoujian Wang
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lei Gao
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Muyue Chen
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yuansheng Duan
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Pengcheng Zhou
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhibing Liu
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Changhao Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Jiaxiang Zhang
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Qixing Zhu
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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8
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Ding R, Li Y, Yu Y, Sun Z, Duan J. Prospects and hazards of silica nanoparticles: Biological impacts and implicated mechanisms. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 69:108277. [PMID: 37923235 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
With the thrive of nanotechnology, silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have been extensively adopted in the agriculture, food, cosmetic, and even biomedical industries. Due to the mass production and use, SiNPs inevitably entered the environment, resulting in ecological toxicity and even posing a threat to human health. Although considerable investigations have been conducted to assess the toxicity of SiNPs, the correlation between SiNPs exposure and consequent health risks remains ambiguous. Since the biological impacts of SiNPs can differ from their design and application, the toxicity assessment for SiNPs may be extremely difficult. This review discussed the application of SiNPs in different fields, especially their biomedical use, and documented their potential release pathways into the environment. Meanwhile, the current process of assessing SiNPs-related toxicity on various model organisms and cell lines was also detailed, thus estimating the health threats posed by SiNPs exposure. Finally, the potential toxic mechanisms of SiNPs were also elaborated based on results obtained from both in vivo and in vitro trials. This review generally summarizes the biological effects of SiNPs, which will build up a comprehensive perspective of the application and toxicity of SiNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyang Ding
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Zhiwei Sun
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
| | - Junchao Duan
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
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9
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Bellagamba I, Boccuni F, Ferrante R, Tombolini F, Natale C, Marra F, Sarto MS, Iavicoli S. Occupational Exposure during the Production and the Spray Deposition of Graphene Nanoplatelets-Based Polymeric Coatings. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:1378. [PMID: 37110963 PMCID: PMC10142999 DOI: 10.3390/nano13081378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Graphene-based polymer composites are innovative materials which have recently found wide application in many industrial sectors thanks to the combination of their enhanced properties. The production of such materials at the nanoscale and their handling in combination with other materials introduce growing concerns regarding workers' exposure to nano-sized materials. The present study aims to evaluate the nanomaterials emissions during the work phases required to produce an innovative graphene-based polymer coating made of a water-based polyurethane paint filled with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and deposited via the spray casting technique. For this purpose, a multi-metric exposure measurement strategy was adopted in accordance with the harmonized tiered approach published by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). As a result, potential GNPs release has been indicated near the operator in a restricted area not involving other workers. The ventilated hood inside the production laboratory guarantees a rapid reduction of particle number concentration levels, limiting the exposure time. Such findings allowed us to identify the work phases of the production process with a high risk of exposure by inhalation to GNPs and to define proper risk mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Bellagamba
- Research Center for Nanotechnology Applied to Engineering (CNIS), Sapienza University of Rome, I-00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE), Sapienza University of Rome, I-00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Boccuni
- Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority—Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1, I-00078 Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Ferrante
- Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority—Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1, I-00078 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Tombolini
- Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority—Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1, I-00078 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Natale
- Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE), Sapienza University of Rome, I-00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Marra
- Research Center for Nanotechnology Applied to Engineering (CNIS), Sapienza University of Rome, I-00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE), Sapienza University of Rome, I-00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Sabrina Sarto
- Research Center for Nanotechnology Applied to Engineering (CNIS), Sapienza University of Rome, I-00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE), Sapienza University of Rome, I-00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Iavicoli
- Directorate General for Communication and European and International Relations, Italian Ministry of Health, Lungotevere Ripa 1, I-00153 Rome, Italy
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10
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Ranpara A, LeBouf RF, Nurkiewicz TR, Yi J, Cumpston JL, Stefaniak AB. Multi-instrument assessment of fine and ultrafine titanium dioxide aerosols. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2023; 86:1-22. [PMID: 36444639 PMCID: PMC10663951 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2022.2150730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The measurement of fine (diameter: 100 nanometers-2.5 micrometers) and ultrafine (UF: < 100 nanometers) titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles is instrument dependent. Differences in measurements exist between toxicological and field investigations for the same exposure metric such as mass, number, or surface area because of variations in instruments used, operating parameters, or particle-size measurement ranges. Without appropriate comparison, instrument measurements create a disconnect between toxicological and field investigations for a given exposure metric. Our objective was to compare a variety of instruments including multiple metrics including mass, number, and surface area (SA) concentrations for assessing different concentrations of separately aerosolized fine and UF TiO2 particles. The instruments studied were (1) DustTrak™ DRX, (2) personal DataRAMs™ (PDR), (3) GRIMMTM, and (4) diffusion charger (DC). Two devices of each field-study instrument (DRX, PDR, GRIMM, and DC) were used to measure various metrics while adjusting for gravimetric mass concentrations of fine and UF TiO2 particles in controlled chamber tests. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to apportion the variance to inter-instrument (between different instrument-types), inter-device (within instrument), and intra-device components. Performance of each instrument-device was calculated using root mean squared error compared to reference methods: close-faced cassette and gravimetric analysis for mass and scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) real-time monitoring for number and SA concentrations. Generally, inter-instrument variability accounted for the greatest (62.6% or more) source of variance for mass, and SA-based concentrations of fine and UF TiO2 particles. However, higher intra-device variability (53.7%) was observed for number concentrations measurements with fine particles compared to inter-instrument variability (40.8%). Inter-device variance range(0.5-5.5%) was similar for all exposure metrics. DRX performed better in measuring mass closer to gravimetric than PDRs for fine and UF TiO2. Number concentrations measured by GRIMMs and SA measurements by DCs were considerably (40.8-86.9%) different from the reference (SMPS) method for comparable size ranges of fine and UF TiO2. This information may serve to aid in interpreting assessments in risk models, epidemiologic studies, and development of occupational exposure limits, relating to health effect endpoints identified in toxicological studies considering similar instruments evaluated in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Ranpara
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ryan F. LeBouf
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Timothy R. Nurkiewicz
- Center for Inhalation Toxicology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jinghai Yi
- Center for Inhalation Toxicology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jared L. Cumpston
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Aleksandr B. Stefaniak
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
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11
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Zanelli D, Candotto Carniel F, Fortuna L, Pavoni E, Jehová González V, Vázquez E, Prato M, Tretiach M. Interactions of airborne graphene oxides with the sexual reproduction of a model plant: When production impurities matter. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 312:137138. [PMID: 36343732 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The increasing use of graphene-related materials (GRMs) in everyday-life products raises concerns for their possible release into the environment and consequent impact on organisms. GRMs have widely varying effects on plants and, according to recent evidences, graphene oxide (GO) has the potential to interfere with the sexual reproduction owing to its acidic properties and production residues. Here, stigmas of the model plant Cucurbita pepo (summer squash) were subjected to simulated dry depositions of GO and GO purified from production residues (PGO). Stigmas were then hand-pollinated and GRM deposition was checked by ESEM and confocal microscopy. Analysis of stigma integrity, pH homeostasis and pollen-stigma interactions did not reveal negative effects. Fruit and seed production were not affected, but GO depositions of 22.1 ± 7.2 ng mm-2 affected the normal development of seeds, decreasing seed dimensions, seed germination and germination speed. The elemental analysis revealed that GO has significant quantities of production residues, such as strong acids and oxidants, while PGO has only traces, which justifies the differences observed in the effects caused by the two materials. Our results show that GO depositions of up to 11.1 ± 3.6 ng mm-2, which fall within the variation range of total dry particulate matter depositions reported in the literature, are safe for reproduction of C. pepo. This is the first "safety" limit ever recorded for depositions of "out-of-the-box" GO concerning the reproduction of a seed plant. If confirmed for wind-pollinated species, it might be considered for policymaking of GRMs emissions in the air.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Zanelli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Lorenzo Fortuna
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Elena Pavoni
- Department of Mathematics and Geosciences, University of Trieste, 34128, Trieste, Italy
| | - Viviana Jehová González
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Instituto Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ester Vázquez
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Instituto Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Organic Chemistry, Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnologías Químicas, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Maurizio Prato
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy; Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC BiomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramón 194, 20014, Donostia San Sebastián, Spain; Basque Foundation for Science (IKERBASQUE), 48013, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Mauro Tretiach
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
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12
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de Luna LAV, Loret T, Fordham A, Arshad A, Drummond M, Dodd A, Lozano N, Kostarelos K, Bussy C. Lung recovery from DNA damage induced by graphene oxide is dependent on size, dose and inflammation profile. Part Fibre Toxicol 2022; 19:62. [PMID: 36131347 PMCID: PMC9490925 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-022-00502-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A key aspect of any new material safety assessment is the evaluation of their in vivo genotoxicity. Graphene oxide (GO) has been studied for many promising applications, but there are remaining concerns about its safety profile, especially after inhalation. Herein we tested whether GO lateral dimension, comparing micrometric (LGO) and nanometric (USGO) GO sheets, has a role in the formation of DNA double strand breaks in mouse lungs. We used spatial resolution and differential cell type analysis to measure DNA damages in both epithelial and immune cells, after either single or repeated exposure. RESULTS GO induced DNA damages were size and dose dependent, in both exposure scenario. After single exposure to a high dose, both USGO and LGO induced significant DNA damage in the lung parenchyma, but only during the acute phase response (p < 0.05 for USGO; p < 0.01 for LGO). This was followed by a fast lung recovery at day 7 and 28 for both GOs. When evaluating the chronic impact of GO after repeated exposure, only a high dose of LGO induced long-term DNA damages in lung alveolar epithelia (at 84 days, p < 0.05). Regardless of size, low dose GO did not induce any significant DNA damage after repeated exposure. A multiparametric correlation analysis of our repeated exposure data revealed that transient or persistent inflammation and oxidative stress were associated to either recovery or persistent DNA damages. For USGO, recovery from DNA damage was correlated to efficient recovery from acute inflammation (i.e., significant secretion of SAA3, p < 0.001; infiltration of neutrophils, p < 0.01). In contrast, the persistence of LGO in lungs was associated to a long-lasting presence of multinucleated macrophages (up to 84 days, p < 0.05), an underlying inflammation (IL-1α secretion up to 28 days, p < 0.05) and the presence of persistent DNA damages at 84 days. CONCLUSIONS Overall these results highlight the importance of the exposure scenario used. We showed that LGO was more genotoxic after repeated exposure than single exposure due to persistent lung inflammation. These findings are important in the context of human health risk assessment and toward establishing recommendations for a safe use of graphene based materials in the workplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Augusto Visani de Luna
- Nanomedicine Lab 2.0, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.,National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.,Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Thomas Loret
- Nanomedicine Lab 2.0, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.,National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.,Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Alexander Fordham
- Nanomedicine Lab 2.0, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.,National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.,Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Atta Arshad
- Nanomedicine Lab 2.0, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.,National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.,Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Matthew Drummond
- Nanomedicine Lab 2.0, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.,National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Abbie Dodd
- Nanomedicine Lab 2.0, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.,National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Neus Lozano
- Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kostas Kostarelos
- Nanomedicine Lab 2.0, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.,National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.,Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cyrill Bussy
- Nanomedicine Lab 2.0, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK. .,National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. .,Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
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13
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Luo X, Xie D, Wu T, Xu W, Meng Q, Cao K, Hu J. Evaluation of the protective roles of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on nanomaterial-induced toxicity: A meta-analysis of in vitro and in vivo studies. Front Nutr 2022; 9:991524. [PMID: 36147302 PMCID: PMC9486203 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.991524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive exposure to nanomaterials causes oxidative stress and inflammation in various organs and leads to an increased risk of adverse health outcomes; therefore, how to prevent the toxic effects are of great concern to human. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, suggesting it may be effective to prevent nanomaterial-induced toxicity. However, the results obtained in individual studies remained controversial. We aimed to comprehensively evaluate the effects of ALA supplementation on nanomaterial-induced toxicity by performing a meta-analysis. Databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched up to May 2022. STATA 15.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Twelve studies were included. Meta-analysis of eight in vivo studies showed ALA supplementation could exert significant effects on nanomaterial-induced oxidative stress (by reducing MDA, ROS and increasing GSH, CAT, GPx, and SOD), inflammation (by downregulating NO, IgG, TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP), apoptosis (by activation of pro-apoptotic caspase-3), DNA damage (by a reduction in the tail length) and organ damage (by a decrease in the liver biomarker ALT and increases in brain neuron biomarker AChE and heart biomarker CPK). Pooled analysis of four in vitro studies indicated ALA intervention increased cell viability, decreased ROS levels, inhibited cell apoptosis and chelated metal ions. Subgroup analyses revealed changing the levels of GSH, IL-6, and metal ions were the main protective mechanisms of ALA supplementation because they were not changed by any subgroup factors. In conclusion, ALA supplementation may represent a potential strategy for the prevention of the toxicity induced by nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaogang Luo
- College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaogang Luo,
| | - Dongli Xie
- College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Tong Wu
- Shanghai Jing Rui Yang Industrial Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Shanghai Nutri-woods Bio-Technology Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingyang Meng
- Shanghai Pechoin Daily Chemical Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Kangli Cao
- Shanghai Institute of Spacecraft Equipment, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianchen Hu
- College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Jianchen Hu,
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14
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Li Y, Zhu Y, Zhao B, Yao Q, Xu H, Lv S, Wang J, Sun Z, Li Y, Guo C. Amorphous silica nanoparticles caused lung injury through the induction of epithelial apoptosis via ROS/Ca 2+/DRP1-mediated mitochondrial fission signaling. Nanotoxicology 2022; 16:713-732. [PMID: 36441139 DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2022.2144774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The adverse effects of amorphous silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) exposure on the respiratory system were increasingly recognized, however, its potential pathogenesis still remains not fully elucidated. So, this study aimed to explore its effects on pulmonary injury, and to investigate related mechanisms. Histological investigations illustrated SiNPs triggered the lung injury, mainly manifested as alveolar structure destruction, collagen deposition, and mitochondrial ultrastructural injury. In particular, SiNPs greatly enhanced pulmonary ROS and TUNEL positive rate in lungs, both of which were positively correlated with lung impairments. Further, the underlying mechanisms were investigated in cultured human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE). Consistent with the in vivo findings, SiNPs caused the impairments on mitochondrial structure, as well as the activation of ROS generation and oxidative injury. Upon SiNPs stimuli, mitochondrial respiration was greatly inhibited, while Ca2+ overload in cytosol and mitochondria owing to ER calcium release was noticed, resulting in mitochondrial-dependent epithelial apoptosis. More importantly, mitochondrial dynamics was imbalanced toward a fission type, as evidenced by upregulated DRP1 and its phosphorylation at Ser616 (DRP1s616), while downregulated DRP1s637, and also MFN1, MFN2. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the activation of ROS/Ca2+ signaling promoted DRP1-mediated mitochondrial fission by SiNPs, forming a vicious cycle, and ultimately contributing to apoptosis in 16HBE. In summary, our results disclosed SiNPs caused pulmonary injury through the induction of epithelial apoptosis via a ROS/Ca2+/DRP1-mediated mitochondrial fission axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yawen Zhu
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bosen Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Yao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hailin Xu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Songqing Lv
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ji Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiwei Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanbo Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Caixia Guo
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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15
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Cavallo D, Ursini CL, Fresegna AM, Ciervo A, Boccuni F, Ferrante R, Tombolini F, Maiello R, Chiarella P, Buresti G, Del Frate V, Poli D, Andreoli R, Di Cristo L, Sabella S, Iavicoli S. A follow-up study on workers involved in the graphene production process after the introduction of exposure mitigation measures: evaluation of genotoxic and oxidative effects. Nanotoxicology 2022; 16:776-790. [PMID: 36427224 DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2022.2149359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
During nanomaterial (NM) production, workers could be exposed, particularly by inhalation, to NMs and other chemicals used in the synthesis process, so it is important to have suitable biomarkers to monitor potential toxic effects. Aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the introduction of exposure mitigation measures on workers unintentionally exposed to graphene co-pollutants during production process monitoring the presumable reduction of workplace NM contamination and of early genotoxic and oxidative effects previously found on these workers. We used Buccal Micronucleus Cytome (BMCyt) assay and Fpg-comet test, resulted the most sensitive biomarkers on our first biomonitoring work, to measure the genotoxic effects. We also detected urinary oxidized nucleic acid bases 8-oxoGua, 8-oxoGuo and 8-oxodGuo to evaluate oxidative damage. The genotoxic and oxidative effects were assessed on the same graphene workers (N = 6) previously studied, comparing the results with those found in the first biomonitoring and with the control group (N = 11). This was achieved 6 months after the installation of a special filter hood (where to perform the phases at higher risk of NM emission) and the improvement of environmental and personal protective equipment. Particle number concentration decreased after the mitigation measures. We observed reduction of Micronucleus (MN) frequency and oxidative DNA damage and increase of 8-oxodGuo excretion compared to the first biomonitoring. These results, although limited by the small subject number, showed the efficacy of adopted exposure mitigation measures and the suitability of used sensitive and noninvasive biomarkers to bio-monitor over time workers involved in graphene production process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Cavallo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Lucia Ursini
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Fresegna
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Rome, Italy
| | - Aureliano Ciervo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Boccuni
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Ferrante
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Tombolini
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Maiello
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Rome, Italy
| | - Pieranna Chiarella
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuliana Buresti
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Del Frate
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Rome, Italy
| | - Diana Poli
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Andreoli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Laboratory of Industrial Toxicology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | | | - Sergio Iavicoli
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Rome, Italy
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16
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Zanelli D, Candotto Carniel F, Fortuna L, Pavoni E, Jehová González V, Vázquez E, Prato M, Tretiach M. Is airborne graphene oxide a possible hazard for the sexual reproduction of wind-pollinated plants? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 830:154625. [PMID: 35306080 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Products containing graphene-related materials (GRMs) are becoming increasingly common, allowing GRM nanoparticles (NPs) to enter the environment during their life cycle. Thanks to their lightness and bidimensional geometry, GRM NPs can be easily dispersed in the air and travel very long distances. The flowers of wind-pollinated plants may be exposed to airborne GRMs, being apt to intercept pollen from the air and, inevitably, other airborne particles. Here, stigmas of four wind-pollinated plants (Corylus avellana, common hazel; Juglans regia, walnut; Quercus ilex, holm oak; Zea mays, maize) were exposed to airborne graphene oxide (GO) and GO purified from production residues (PGO) at a concentration of 3.7 ng m-3. Subsequently, the stigmas were pollinated and the adhesion of GOs and their effects on stigma integrity and pollen-stigma interaction were examined. The effect of GO NPs in presence of liquid water on the stigma of C. avellana was also investigated. GOs NPs were intercepted by all species, but their effect varied among them. GO reduced pollen adhesion in J. regia and Q. ilex, whereas pollen germination was unaffected in all four species. The presence of a film of water neither completely removed GO NPs from the stigma, nor it enhanced the toxic effect of GO acidity. PGO never affected pollen-stigma interaction, indicating that the phytotoxic substances used for the production of GO, still in traces in commercial GO, are the main cause of GO toxicity. These results reconfirm the need to verify GRMs effects also on key biological processes beside single model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Zanelli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabio Candotto Carniel
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy; Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Fortuna
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Elena Pavoni
- Department of Mathematics and Geosciences, University of Trieste, I-34128 Trieste, Italy
| | - Viviana Jehová González
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Instituto Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA), University of Castilla-La Mancha, E-13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ester Vázquez
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Instituto Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA), University of Castilla-La Mancha, E-13071 Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Castilla La Mancha, E-13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Maurizio Prato
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy; Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramón 194, E-20014 Donostia, San Sebastián, Spain; Basque Foundation for Science (IKERBASQUE), E-48013 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Mauro Tretiach
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
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17
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Tang X, Song F, Zhao W, Zhang Z, Cao Y. Intratracheal instillation of graphene oxide decreases anti-virus responses and lipid contents via suppressing Toll-like receptor 3 in mouse livers. J Appl Toxicol 2022; 42:1822-1831. [PMID: 35727742 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies revealed a causal relationship between Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and lipid droplet biogenesis. Interestingly, it has been reported before that nanomaterials (NMs) were capable to modulate TLRs, but it remains unclear if NMs could affect lipid levels via TLR signaling pathways. In this study, we investigated the influences of airway exposure to graphene oxide (GO) on TLR3 signaling pathways and lipid levels in mouse livers. Intratracheal instillation of GO (0.1, 1, and 5 mg/kg, once a day, totally 5 days) induced inflammatory cell infiltrations as indicated by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and fibrosis as indicated by Masson staining in lungs, accompanying with decreased TLR3 proteins. Consistently, a TLR3-regulated anti-virus protein, namely interferon induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 1 (IFIT1), as well as two TLR3-regulated lipid proteins, namely radical S-adenosyl methionine domain containing 2 (RSAD2) and perilipin 2 (PLIN2), were decreased in lungs. The protein levels of interferon-β in serum were also decreased. In livers, GO exposure induced disorganization of liver cells but not fibrosis. In agreement with the trends observed in lungs, TLR3, IFIT1, RSAD2, and PLIN2 proteins were decreased in livers. As a possible consequence, GO exposure dose-dependently decreased lipid levels in livers as indicated by oil red O and BODIPY 493/503 staining. We concluded that airway exposure to GO decreased anti-virus responses and lipid levels in mouse livers via the suppression of TLR3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Tang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Fengmei Song
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Weichao Zhao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Zhaohui Zhang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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18
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Aznar Mollá F, Heredia Alvaro JA, Sánchez OA, Fito-López C, Colmenar González I. Nanosafety Analysis of Graphene-Based Polyester Resin Composites on a Life Cycle Perspective. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12122036. [PMID: 35745374 PMCID: PMC9228975 DOI: 10.3390/nano12122036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The use, production, and disposal of engineering nanomaterials (ENMs), including graphene-related materials (GRMs), raise concerns and questions about possible adverse effects on human health and the environment, considering the lack of harmonized toxicological data on ENMs and the ability of these materials to be released into the air, soil, or water during common industrial processes and/or accidental events. Within this context, the potential release of graphene particles, their agglomerates, and aggregates (NOAA) as a result of sanding of a battery of graphene-based polyester resin composite samples intended to be used in a building was examined. The analyzed samples were exposed to different weathering conditions to evaluate the influence of the weathering process on the morphology and size distribution of the particles released. Sanding studies were conducted in a tailored designed sanding bench connected to time and size resolving measurement devices. Particle size distributions and particle number concentration were assessed using an optical particle counter (OPC) and a condensation particle counter (CPC), respectively, during the sanding operation. A scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX) analysis was performed to adequately characterize the morphology, size, and chemical composition of the released particles. A toxicity screening study of pristine and graphene-based nanocomposites released using the aquatic macroinvertebrate Daphnia magna and relevant human cell lines was conducted to support risk assessment and decision making. The results show a significant release of nanoscale materials during machining operations, including differences attributed to the % of graphene and weathering conditions. The cell line tests demonstrated a higher effect in the human colon carcinoma cell line Caco2 than in the human fibroblasts (A549 cell line), which means that composites released to the environment could have an impact on human health and biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Aznar Mollá
- Research Line Sustainable Chemistry and Supramolecular Chemistry, University of Jaume I Castellón, 12071 Castellón de la Plana, Spain;
| | | | - Oscar Andreu Sánchez
- Laboratory of Ecotoxicology and Environmental Quality, Department of Cellular Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Valencia, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: (O.A.S.); (C.F.-L.); Tel.: +34-647521544 (C.F.-L.)
| | - Carlos Fito-López
- ITENE, Technological Institute of Packaging, Transport and Logistics, 46001 Valencia, Spain;
- Correspondence: (O.A.S.); (C.F.-L.); Tel.: +34-647521544 (C.F.-L.)
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19
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Epigenetic Mechanisms in Understanding Nanomaterial-Induced Toxicity. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1357:195-223. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-88071-2_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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20
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McCormick S, Niang M, Dahm MM. Occupational Exposures to Engineered Nanomaterials: a Review of Workplace Exposure Assessment Methods. Curr Environ Health Rep 2021; 8:223-234. [PMID: 34101152 PMCID: PMC10079776 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-021-00316-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to consolidate exposure assessment methods for occupational research on engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) published within the past 5 years (2015-2020). RECENT FINDINGS The three ENMs that generated the highest volume of new research include titanium dioxide, graphene, and aluminum oxide. A multi-metric approach, using both online and offline instruments and analyses, has been found to be a useful method to characterize ENM workplace exposures and was commonly used in the recently published literature. Particle number concentration was the most common online exposure metric used, followed by the metrics of mass and surface area. There are currently no consensus methods for offline analyses of most ENMs. Researchers generally used gravimetric or elemental analyses for carbonaceous nanomaterials, titanium dioxide, and other nanometals, but there was little overlap between other ENM materials reviewed. Using biological markers of exposure, such as urinary oxidative stress biomarkers, as an indication of chronic exposure may also be useful for some ENMs and should be further researched. Generally, similar online instrumentation and offline electron microscopy methods were used for all ENMs. However, this consistency was not observed for offline mass analysis methods within specific ENMs. Consolidation of the most recent methods and results of exposure assessments within this broad material category can guide researchers toward future areas of study. Establishing consensus methods of exposure assessment for each individual ENM is crucial to characterizing workplace exposures, pooling data to fully understand their associated risks, and developing useful occupational exposure limits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth McCormick
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45226, USA
| | - Mamadou Niang
- Professional Staffing Partners, 1008 Water Oak Dr SW, Aiken, SC, 29803, USA
| | - Matthew M Dahm
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45226, USA.
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21
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Relationship between Indoor High Frequency Size Distribution of Ultrafine Particles and Their Metrics in a University Site. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13105504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to ultrafine particles (UFPs size < 100 nm) in life and work environments can contribute to adverse health effects also in terms of health burden of related diseases over time. The choice of parameters which better characterize UFPs is challenging, due to their physical-chemical properties and their variable size. It is also strictly related to the availability of different instrumental techniques. In the present study we focus on real time high frequency (1 Hz) UFPs particle size distribution (PSD) and their relationship with total particle number concentration (TPNC) and mean particle diameter (Davg) as a contribution characterizing by size the human exposure to UFPs in an indoor site of the University of Rome “Sapienza” (Italy). Further considerations about UFPs contribution to nucleation mode (NM) and accumulation mode (AM) have been highlighted, also in order to investigate the contribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) surface-adsorbed on indoor air particles (pPAHs). High indoor TPNC values were registered during the rush hours (early morning and mid/late afternoon) according to the outdoor influences originated from anthropogenic activities. AM mainly contribute to the indoor TPNC during working days showing high correlation with pPAHs. These findings may provide useful indications in terms of occupational exposure to UFPs since there are many evidences that indoor exposures to such pollutants may be associated with adverse health effects also in working environments.
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22
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Tassinari R, Martinelli A, Valeri M, Maranghi F. Amorphous silica nanoparticles induced spleen and liver toxicity after acute intravenous exposure in male and female rats. Toxicol Ind Health 2021; 37:328-335. [PMID: 33910434 DOI: 10.1177/07482337211010579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic amorphous silica (SAS) nanomaterial - consisting of aggregates and agglomerates of primary silicon dioxide (SiO2) particles in the nanorange (<100 nm) - is commonly used as excipient in pharmaceuticals, in cosmetics and as food additive (E551). The available data suggest that SAS nanoparticles (NP) after intravenous (IV) exposure persist in liver and spleen; however, insufficient data exist to verify whether SAS may also induce adverse effects. The aim of the present study was to verify the potential long-term effects of SAS NP (NM-203) on spleen and liver as target organs following short-term exposure. Adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated by IV injection in the tail vein with a single (1-day) dose (SD) and repeated (5-day) doses (RD) of 20 mg/kg bw per day of SAS dispersed in sterile saline solution as vehicle. Histopathological examinations of target organs were performed after 90 days. Tissue biodistribution and full characterization of NM-203, primary particle size 13-45 nm, was performed within the framework of the Nanogenotox project. No mortality or general toxicity occurred; histopathological analysis showed splenomegaly in the RD group accompanied by inflammatory granulomas in both sexes. Granulomas were also present in liver parenchyma in the RD (both sexes) and SD groups (male only). The histopathological results indicated that SAS NP have the potential to persist and induce sex-specific chronic inflammatory lesions in spleen and liver upon short-term treatment. Overall, the data showed that the widespread use of silica in drugs might elicit chronic reactions in spleen and liver prompting to the need of further investigations on the safety of SAS NP.[Formula: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Tassinari
- Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Martinelli
- Experimental Animal Welfare Sector, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Valeri
- Experimental Animal Welfare Sector, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Maranghi
- Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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23
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Tombolini F, Boccuni F, Ferrante R, Natale C, Marasco L, Mantero E, Del Rio Castillo AE, Leoncino L, Pellegrini V, Sabella S, Iavicoli S. An integrated and multi-technique approach to characterize airborne graphene flakes in the workplace during production phases. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:3841-3852. [PMID: 33566041 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr07114e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Graphene is a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb pattern and its unique and amazing properties make it suitable for a wide range of applications ranging from electronic devices to food packaging. However, the biocompatibility of graphene is dependent on the complex interplay of its several physical and chemical properties. The main aim of the present study is to highlight the importance of integrating different characterization techniques to describe the potential release of airborne graphene flakes in a graphene processing and production research laboratory. Specifically, the production and processing (i.e., drying) of few-layer graphene (FLG) through liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite are analysed by integrated characterization techniques. For this purpose, the exposure measurement strategy was based on the multi-metric tiered approach proposed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) via integrating high-frequency real-time measurements and personal sampling. Particle number concentration, average diameter and lung deposition surface area time series acquired in the worker's personal breathing zone (PBZ) were compared simultaneously to background measurements, showing the potential release of FLG. Then, electron microscopy techniques and Raman spectroscopy were applied to characterize particles collected by personal inertial impactors to investigate the morphology, chemical composition and crystal structure of rare airborne graphene flakes. The gathered information provides a valuable basis for improving risk management strategies in research and industrial laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Tombolini
- Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1, I-00078 Rome, Italy.
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24
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Ursini CL, Fresegna AM, Ciervo A, Maiello R, Del Frate V, Folesani G, Galetti M, Poli D, Buresti G, Di Cristo L, Sabella S, Iavicoli S, Cavallo D. Occupational exposure to graphene and silica nanoparticles. Part II: pilot study to identify a panel of sensitive biomarkers of genotoxic, oxidative and inflammatory effects on suitable biological matrices. Nanotoxicology 2020; 15:223-237. [PMID: 33373530 DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2020.1850903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The available biomonitoring studies on workers producing/handling nanomaterials (NMs) focused on potential effects on respiratory, immune and cardio-vascular system. Aim of this study was to identify a panel of sensitive biomarkers and suitable biological matrices to evaluate particularly genotoxic and oxidative effects induced on workers unintentionally exposed to graphene or silica nanoparticles during the production process. These nanomaterials have been chosen for 'NanoKey' project, integrating the workplace exposure assessment (reported in part I) with the biomonitoring of exposed workers reported in the present work. Simultaneously to workplace exposure characterization, we monitored the workers using: Buccal Micronucleus Cytome (BMCyt) assay, fpg-comet test (lymphocytes), oxidized DNA bases 8-oxoGua, 8-oxoGuo and 8-oxodGuo measurements (urine), analysis of oxidative stress biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate (EBC), FENO measurement and cytokines release detection (serum). Since buccal cells are among the main targets of NM occupational exposure, particular attention was posed to the BMCyt assay that represents a noninvasive assay. This pilot study, performed on 12 workers vs.11 controls, demonstrates that BMCyt and fpg-comet assays are the most sensitive biomarkers of early, still reparable, genotoxic and oxidative effects. The findings suggest that these biomarkers could represent useful tools for the biomonitoring of workers exposed to nanoparticles, but they need to be confirmed on a high number of subjects. However, such biomarkers don't discriminate the effects of NM from those due to other chemicals used in the NM production process. Therefore, they could be suitable for the biomonitoring of workers exposed to complex scenario, including nanoparticles exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Lucia Ursini
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone-Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Fresegna
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone-Rome, Italy
| | - Aureliano Ciervo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone-Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Maiello
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone-Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Del Frate
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone-Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Folesani
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone-Rome, Italy
| | - Maricla Galetti
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone-Rome, Italy
| | - Diana Poli
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone-Rome, Italy
| | - Giuliana Buresti
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone-Rome, Italy
| | - Luisana Di Cristo
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Italian Institute of Technology -IIT, Genova, Italy
| | - Stefania Sabella
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Italian Institute of Technology -IIT, Genova, Italy
| | - Sergio Iavicoli
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone-Rome, Italy
| | - Delia Cavallo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone-Rome, Italy
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25
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Di Cristo L, Boccuni F, Iavicoli S, Sabella S. A Human-Relevant 3D In Vitro Platform for an Effective and Rapid Simulation of Workplace Exposure to Nanoparticles: Silica Nanoparticles as Case Study. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E1761. [PMID: 32899988 PMCID: PMC7557931 DOI: 10.3390/nano10091761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In this contribution, we show the suitability of a 3D airway model, when coupled with a nebulizer system, for simulating workplace exposure to nanoparticles. As a proof of concept, workplace exposure to silica nanoparticles was experimentally measured in an occupational facility where nanoparticles are produced weekly, and compared with the official limit value for bulk silica materials. These values of potential exposure were simulated in a 3D airway model by nebulizing low doses (from 0.90 to 55 µg/cm2) of silica nanoparticles over a prolonged period (12 weeks of repeated exposure, 5 days per week). Overall, the results suggest the efficiency of the defense mechanisms of the respiratory system and the clearance of the breathed silica nanoparticles by the mucociliary apparatus in accordance with the recent in vivo data. This in vitro platform shows that the doses tested may correlate with the occupational exposure limit values. Such relationship could provide regulatory-oriented data useful for risk classification of nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisana Di Cristo
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Nanoregulatory Platform, Drug Discovery and Development Department, 16163 Genova, Italy;
| | - Fabio Boccuni
- Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (S.I.)
| | - Sergio Iavicoli
- Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (S.I.)
| | - Stefania Sabella
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Nanoregulatory Platform, Drug Discovery and Development Department, 16163 Genova, Italy;
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