Altered formation of the iron oxide nanoparticle-biocorona due to individual variability and exercise

The cell transformation assay to assess potential carcinogenic properties of nanoparticles

Nanoparticles (NPs) are present in many daily life products with particular physical-chemical properties (size, density, porosity, geometry …) giving very interesting technological properties. Their use is continuously growing and NPs represent a new challenge in terms of risk assessment, consumers being multi-exposed. Toxic effects have already been identified such as oxidative stress, genotoxicity, inflammatory effects, and immune reactions, some of which are leading to carcinogenesis. Cancer is a complex phenomenon implying multiple modes of action and key events, and prevention strategies in cancer include a proper assessment of the properties of NPs. Therefore, introduction of new agents like NPs into the market creates fresh regulatory challenges for an adequate safety evaluation and requires new tools. The Cell Transformation Assay (CTA) is an in vitro test able of highlighting key events of characteristic phases in the cancer process, initiation and promotion. This review presents the development of this test and its use with NPs. The article underlines also the critical issues to address for assessing NPs carcinogenic properties and approaches for improving its relevance.

Incubating Green Synthesized Iron Oxide Nanorods for Proteomics-Derived Motif Exploration: A Fusion to Deep Learning Oncogenesis

The nanotechnological arena has revolutionized the diagnostic efficacies by investigating the protein corona. This displays provoking proficiencies in determining biomarkers and diagnostic fingerprints for early detection and advanced therapeutics. The green synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared via Withania coagulans and were well characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nano-LC mass spectrophotometry. Iron oxides were rod-shaped with an average size of 17.32 nm and have crystalline properties. The as-synthesized nanotool mediated firm nano biointeraction with the proteins in treatment with nine different cancers. The resultant of the proteome series was filtered oddly that highlighted the variant proteins within the differentially expressed proteins on behalf of nano-bioinformatics. Further magnification focused on S13_N, RS15, RAB, and 14_3_3 domains and few abundant motifs that aid scanning biomarkers. The entire set of variant proteins contracting to common proteins elucidates the underlining mechanical proteins that are marginally assessed using the robotic nanotechnology. Additionally, the iron rods indirectly possess a prognostic effect in manipulating expression of proteins through a smarter route. Thereby, such biologically designed nanotools provide a dual approach for medical studies.

Modulation of Pulmonary Toxicity in Metabolic Syndrome Due to Variations in Iron Oxide Nanoparticle-Biocorona Composition

Nanoparticles (NPs) interact with biomolecules by forming a biocorona (BC) on their surface after introduction into the body and alter cell interactions and toxicity. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a prevalent condition and enhances susceptibility to inhaled exposures. We hypothesize that distinct NP-biomolecule interactions occur in the lungs due to MetS resulting in the formation of unique NP-BCs contributing to enhanced toxicity. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected from healthy and MetS mouse models and used to evaluate variations in the BC formation on 20 nm iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) NPs. Fe₃O₄ NPs without or with BCs were characterized for hydrodynamic size and zeta potential. Unique and differentially associated proteins and lipids with the Fe₃O₄ NPs were identified through proteomic and lipidomic analyses to evaluate BC alterations based on disease state. A mouse macrophage cell line was utilized to examine alterations in cell interactions and toxicity due to BCs. Exposures to 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 μg/mL of Fe₃O₄ NPs with BCs for 1 h or 24 h did not demonstrate overt cytotoxicity. Macrophages increasingly associated Fe₃O₄ NPs following addition of the MetS BC compared to the healthy BC. Macrophages exposed to Fe₃O₄ NPs with a MetS-BC for 1 h or 24 h at a concentration of 25 μg/mL demonstrated enhanced gene expression of inflammatory markers: CCL2, IL-6, and TNF-α compared to Fe₃O₄ NPs with a healthy BC. Western blot analysis revealed activation of STAT3, NF-κB, and ERK pathways due to the MetS-BC. Specifically, the Jak/Stat pathway was the most upregulated inflammatory pathway following exposure to NPs with a MetS BC. Overall, our study suggests the formation of distinct BCs due to NP exposure in MetS, which may contribute to exacerbated inflammatory effects and susceptibility.

Physiology, pathology and the biomolecular corona: the confounding factors in nanomedicine design

The biomolecular corona that forms on nanomedicines in different physiological and pathological environments confers a new biological identity. How the recipient biological system's state can potentially affect nanomedicine corona formation, and how this can be modulated, remains obscure. With this perspective, this review summarizes the current knowledge about the content of biological fluids in various compartments and how they can be affected by pathological states, thus impacting biomolecular corona formation. The content of representative biological fluids is explored, and the urgency of integrating corona formation, as an essential component of nanomedicine designs for effective cargo delivery, is highlighted.

How to effectively prepare a sample for bottom-up proteomic analysis of nanoparticle protein corona? A critical review

Since the interest in the biomedical applications of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) has rapidly grown over the last decades, there is a need for a thorough characterization of bio-nano interactions. NPs introduced to the body (mostly intravenously) encounter plasma proteins, that instantly create a so-called "protein corona" on the NPs surface, giving the nanomaterial a new biological identity. Type of the proteins that interact with NPs may affect the in vivo fate of NPs. For that reason, it is particularly important to establish analytical methods capable of corona protein identification. Bottom-up proteomics is most often used for that purpose. A crucial part of the experiment is sample preparation, as it is already proven that different protocols may lead to distinct results. This review is aimed at providing a characterization of two main stages of sample preparation: separation of NPs with protein corona from the unbound proteins and the digestion of corona proteins. Separation techniques such as centrifugation, magnetic separation, and chromatography and three digestion methods (in-gel, in-solution, and on-particle) are described with special emphasis paid on their advantages and disadvantages as well as their influence on the result of identification. This paper also indicates the need for standardization of protein corona identification protocols, as some of the proteins may be preferentially detected while applying a particular digestion procedure.

Analyzing the Interaction between Two Different Types of Nanoparticles and Serum Albumin

Two different types of nanoparticles (silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide) were selected within this study in order to analyze the interaction with bovine and human serum albumin. These particles were characterized by transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS). In addition, the hydrodynamic size and the zeta potential were measured for all these nanoparticles. The serum proteins were incubated with the nanoparticles for up to one hour, and the albumin adsorption on the particle surface was investigated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The effect induced on the secondary structure of proteins was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that albumin adsorbed on the surface of both types of nanoparticles, but in different quantities. In addition, we noticed different changes in the structure of albumin depending on the physicochemical properties of each type of particle tested. In conclusion, our study provides a comparative analysis between the different characteristics of nanoparticles and the protein corona formed on the particle surface and effects induced on protein structure in order to direct the development of “safe-by-design” nanoparticles, as their demands for research and applications continue to increase.

An Integrative Proteomic/Lipidomic Analysis of the Gold Nanoparticle Biocorona in Healthy and Obese Conditions

Introduction: When nanoparticles (NPs) enter a physiological environment, a coating of biomolecules or biocorona (BC) forms on the surface. Formation of the NP-BC is dependent on NP properties, the physiological environment, and time. The BC influences NP properties and biological interactions such as cellular internalization, immune responses, biodistribution, and others, leading to pharmacological and toxicological consequences. To date, examination of the NP-BC has focused primarily on protein components and healthy conditions. Therefore, we evaluated the protein and lipid content of BCs that formed on physicochemically distinct gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) under healthy and obese conditions. A comprehensive understanding of the NP-BC is necessary for the translation of in vitro toxicity assessments to clinical applications. Materials and Methods: AuNPs with two coatings (poly-N-vinylpyrrolidone [PVP] or citrate) and diameters (20 or 100 nm) were incubated in pooled human serum, and an integrated proteomic/lipidomic approach was used to evaluate BC composition. Macrophages were utilized to evaluate differential immune responses due to variations in the AuNP-BC. Results: AuNPs form distinct BCs based on physicochemical properties and the surrounding environment, with the obese BC containing more proteins and fewer lipids than the healthy BC. Differential macrophage inflammatory responses were observed based on AuNP properties and BC composition. Discussion and Conclusion: Overall, these findings demonstrate that AuNP size and coating, as well as physiological environment, influence the protein and lipid composition of the BC, which impacts cellular responses following exposure. These findings demonstrate that incorporation of BCs representing distinct physiological conditions may enhance the translatability of nanosafety in vitro studies.

In vitro toxicity assessment of emitted materials collected during the manufacture of water pipe plastic linings

Objectives: US water infrastructure is in need of widespread repair due to age-related deterioration. Currently, the cured-in-place (CIPP) procedure is the most common method for water pipe repair. This method involves the on-site manufacture of a new polymer composite plastic liner within the damaged pipe. The CIPP process can release materials resulting in occupational and public health concerns. To understand hazards associated with CIPP-related emission exposures, an in vitro toxicity assessment was performed. Materials and Methods: Mouse alveolar epithelial and alveolar macrophage cell lines and condensates collected at 3 worksites utilizing styrene-based resins were utilized for evaluations. All condensate samples were normalized based on the major emission component, styrene. Further, a styrene-only exposure group was used as a control to determine mixture related toxicity. Results: Cytotoxicity differences were observed between worksite samples, with the CIPP worksite 4 sample inducing the most cell death. A proteomic evaluation was performed, which demonstrated styrene-, worksite-, and cell-specific alterations. This examination of protein expression changes determined potential biomarkers of exposure including transglutaminase 2, advillin, collagen type 1, perilipin-2, and others. Pathway analysis of exposure-induced proteomic alterations identified MYC and p53 to be regulators of cellular responses. Protein changes were also related to pathways involved in cell damage, immune response, and cancer. Conclusions: Together these findings demonstrate potential risks associated with the CIPP procedure as well as variations between worksites regarding emissions and toxicity. Our evaluation identified biological pathways that require a future evaluation and also demonstrates that exposure assessment of CIPP worksites should examine multiple chemical components beyond styrene, as many cellular responses were styrene-independent.