Nanoparticle Toxicology

Immunomodulatory effects of metal nanoparticles: current trends and future prospects

The advent of nanotechnology has steered into a new era of medical advancements, with metal nanoparticles (MNPs) emerging as potent agents for precise regulation of the immune system. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the immunomodulatory roles of MNPs, including gold, silver, and metal oxide nanoparticles, in regulating innate and adaptive immunity. Additionally, we discuss the immunological effects of metal ions and metal complexes, offering a comparative analysis with nanoparticulate systems. We analyse cutting-edge strategies utilising MNPs to optimise vaccine efficacy, achieve targeted delivery to immune cells, and orchestrate inflammatory responses. Additionally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of MNPs in combating autoimmune diseases, cancers, and infectious agents, which is evaluated within the framework of precision medicine. Furthermore, we critically assess challenges such as biocompatibility, potential toxicity, and regulatory hurdles. Finally, we propose future directions for integrating MNPs with advanced delivery systems and other nanomaterials to propel the frontiers of immunotherapy. This review aims to provide a foundational understanding of MNP-mediated immunomodulation, inspiring further research and development in this burgeoning field.

Bilirubin nanotechnology: An innovative approach in biomedicine

Bilirubin, a product of heme catabolism, is toxic at elevated concentrations (>250-300 μM in blood serum), whereas at therapeutic concentrations (∼20-200 μM) exerts potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, cytoprotective and neuroprotective effects. Despite the therapeutic potential, its use in clinical practice is hampered by poor aqueous solubility, instability, and rapid metabolism. Nanotechnology overcomes these limitations and additionally imparts to bilirubin the advantages characteristic of nanopreparations: targeted action on the desired organ/tissue, increased therapeutic efficacy by delaying drug elimination from the body, improved transportation over biological barriers, the ability to combine therapeutic and diagnostic properties in a single agent. The review analyses the chemical synthesis, therapeutic mechanisms, and preclinical applications of nanosystems comprising bilirubin. In particular, nanostructures obtained by the covalent binding of bilirubin to macromolecules, bilirubin encapsulation in nanocarriers, bilirubin conjugation with metal nanoparticles and nanofunctionalization of inorganic compounds are considered; the data on the therapeutic trials of nanobilirubin are summarized. While studies on animal models and in vitro systems demonstrate improved biodistribution, reduced toxicity, and enhanced efficacy, no clinical trials to date have validated nanobilirubin formulations. Key barriers may include unresolved challenges in scalable synthesis, long-term biocompatibility, reproducible dosing of nanoformulations. Hence, further development of nanotherapeutic bilirubin agents for clinical practice is urgent.

Insulin fibrillation under physicochemical parameters of bioprocessing and intervention by peptides and surface-active agents

Even after the centenary celebration of insulin discovery, there prevail challenges concerning insulin aggregation, not only after repeated administration but also during industrial production, storage, transport, and delivery, significantly impacting protein quality, efficacy, and effectiveness. The aggregation reduces insulin bioavailability, increasing the risk of heightened immunogenicity, posing a threat to patient health, and creating a dent in the golden success story of insulin therapy. Insulin experiences various physicochemical and mechanical stresses due to modulations in pH, temperature, ionic strength, agitation, shear, and surface chemistry, during the upstream and downstream bioprocessing, resulting in insulin unfolding and subsequent fibrillation. This has fueled research in the pharmaceutical industry and academia to unveil the mechanistic insights of insulin aggregation in an attempt to devise rational strategies to regulate this unwanted phenomenon. The present review briefly describes the impacts of environmental factors of bioprocessing on the stability of insulin and correlates with various intermolecular interactions, particularly hydrophobic and electrostatic forces. The aggregation-prone regions of insulin are identified and interrelated with biophysical changes during stress conditions. The quest for novel additives, surface-active agents, and bioderived peptides in decelerating insulin aggregation, which results in overall structural stability, is described. We hope this review will help tackle the real-world challenges of insulin aggregation encountered during bioprocessing, ensuring safer, stable, and globally accessible insulin for efficient management of diabetes.

Evaluating the effectiveness of personal protective equipment against engineered nanomaterials: A systematic review

A key issue related to the development of nanotechnology is the protection of researchers in laboratories and workers in production facilities from exposure to engineered nanoparticles (ENPs). Personal protective equipment (PPE) can only provide protection if it is selected correctly, well maintained, and used properly in all possible exposures. The objective of this review was to systematically evaluate studies that have assessed the effectiveness of PPE against ENPs. The scientific literature search included the electronic databases of Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane Collaboration Summaries, and NIOSHTIC. According to the PRISMA flow diagram, 24 papers that met the exclusion and inclusion criteria were included in this review. The review results on gloves, masks, and protective clothing revealed that among the common gloves assessed, nitrile 100 gloves were reported as the least suitable protection method against penetration. Also, most masks have low percent penetration. N99 and P100 masks were more effective than N95 masks. The results also indicated that the physical properties of textiles such as fiber diameter, fabric thickness, porosity, air permeability, and pore size are crucial in determining fabric performance against nanomaterials. Most studies have not used a standardized methodology for evaluating the performance of PPE against nanoparticles, highlighting the need for designing and developing a new method. It is essential to develop a precise and valid application guideline based on scientific evidence to assess protection methods for occupational exposure to ENPs.

A Redox-Sensitive Green Fluorescent Protein (roGFP) Sensing Strategy for Dynamic Analysis of Metal Oxide Nanoparticle-Induced Oxidative Stress

The induction of oxygen radicals and oxidative stress are major pathways through which nanomaterials cause adverse health effects. Dynamic monitoring of redox processes in living cells exposed to nanomaterials is currently limited due to the inadequacy of conventional methods. Herein, we construct a Grx1-roGFP2 (glutaredoxin 1 fused with redox-sensitive Green Fluorescent Protein 2) protein sensor expressed in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells that allows dynamic analysis of metal oxide (MOx) nanoparticle-induced oxidative stress. We selected eight representative MOx as test objects, ranking their toxicity potentials according to the overlap degree of their band gap energies with cellular redox potentials and their ability to release metal ions to catalyze the generation of oxygen radicals. The sensor demonstrates high sensitivity in detecting MOx-induced intracellular redox fluctuations, operating within a 6-200 mg/mL range and a 30-min response time, while maintaining sustained sensitivity over 24 h. The sensor utilizes an oxidation/reduction ratio curve to precisely characterize the unique pattern of oxidative stress induced by each MOx, encompassing the stress's intensity (curve slope), amplitude (curve plateau), features (curve shape), and accumulation of oxygen radicals (curve area integral). These results highlight that the developed Grx1-roGFP2 sensor holds more advantages over traditional probes, showing extensive application prospects in higher standards of nanotoxicological evaluation.

Nanoparticles alter the nature and strength of intraploidy and interploidy interactions in plants

Engineered nanoparticles have profound impacts on organisms, yet there is limited understanding of how nanoparticle exposure shapes species interactions that are key to natural community dynamics. By growing plants of the same (intraploidy) and different ploidy levels (interploidy) of Fragaria in axenic microcosms, we examined the influence of nanoparticles on species interactions in polyploid and diploid plants. Under copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticle exposure, polyploids experienced reduced competition and a shift towards facilitation, when growing with both polyploids (the effect of polyploids on polyploids measured by the relative interaction index, RII8x,8x) and diploids (the effect of diploids on polyploids, RII8x,2x). This reduction in competitive interactions in polyploids, in line with the stress gradient hypothesis, was primarily driven by nanoscale effects. In contrast, the strength of competitive interactions (RII8x,8× and RII8x,2x) increased under CuO bulk particles compared to control conditions. Different from polyploids, diploids experienced neutral interactions (RII2x,2x and RII2x,8x) under both nanoparticles and bulk particles. These findings highlight ploidy-specific interaction dynamics and the need to consider species interactions when predicting organismal responses to nanoparticle pollution in ecological communities, providing critical insights for conservation strategies and sustainable nanotechnology applications.

Landscape of small nucleic acid therapeutics: moving from the bench to the clinic as next-generation medicines

The ability of small nucleic acids to modulate gene expression via a range of processes has been widely explored. Compared with conventional treatments, small nucleic acid therapeutics have the potential to achieve long-lasting or even curative effects via gene editing. As a result of recent technological advances, efficient small nucleic acid delivery for therapeutic and biomedical applications has been achieved, accelerating their clinical translation. Here, we review the increasing number of small nucleic acid therapeutic classes and the most common chemical modifications and delivery platforms. We also discuss the key advances in the design, development and therapeutic application of each delivery platform. Furthermore, this review presents comprehensive profiles of currently approved small nucleic acid drugs, including 11 antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), 2 aptamers and 6 siRNA drugs, summarizing their modifications, disease-specific mechanisms of action and delivery strategies. Other candidates whose clinical trial status has been recorded and updated are also discussed. We also consider strategic issues such as important safety considerations, novel vectors and hurdles for translating academic breakthroughs to the clinic. Small nucleic acid therapeutics have produced favorable results in clinical trials and have the potential to address previously "undruggable" targets, suggesting that they could be useful for guiding the development of additional clinical candidates.

Enhancing Lung Recovery: Inhaled Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) Acid Encapsulating FTY720 and Nobiletin for Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Lung Injury, with Advanced Inhalation Tower Technology

Acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a rapidly progressing respiratory failure condition, results in a high mortality rate, especially in severe cases. Numerous trials have investigated various pharmacotherapy approaches, but their effectiveness remains uncertain. Here, we present an inhaled nanoformulation of fingolimod (FTY720)-nobiletin (NOB)- poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) with good biocompatibility and a sustained-release pharmacological effect. The formulation decreases the toxicity of FTY720 and increases the bioavailability of NOB since we use PLGA with a high biocompatibility to encapsulate FTY720 and NOB at the same time. In vitro, in comparison to treatment with the pure drug, we demonstrated that FTY720-NOB-PLGA NPs can reduce interleukin-6 (IL-6) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) release by macrophages after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation more efficiently. In vivo, we used an inhalation tower system that allowed the exposure of unanesthetized mice to aerosolized FTY720-NOB-PLGA NPs under controlled conditions. We demonstrated that inhaled FTY720-NOB-PLGA NPs can attenuate lung injury after LPS exposure by suppressing cytokine release, such as IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The trigger pathway of ALI, including nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, was also efficiently inhibited. Furthermore, the inhalation treatment provided a good safety profile, without detrimental effects on biochemical markers and lung function. We provided the feasibility of administering inhalation of NPs noninvasively with continuous monitoring of lung function. The aerosolized FTY720-NOB-PLGA NPs we developed show excellent promise for acute lung injury therapy in the future.

Effect of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) on the testes of adult male albino rats and the possible protective role of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

We have assessed the effects of copper oxide nanoparticles on the testis of adult male albino rats, and evaluated the protective potential of EVOO, which has antioxidant properties. The study involved treatment of seventy adult male rats followed by examination of their testis. The rats were divided into four groups (I-V), each contained 20 rats except group II which contained 10 rats. Each of groups (I, III, IV) was subdivided equally into two subgroups (A and B). Rats in group I did not receive any treatment (IA) or injected intraperitoneal (IP) with 0.5 ml of distilled water daily for two weeks (IB). Rats in group II were gavaged 0.4 ml EVOO daily for 2 weeks. Rats in group III injected IP daily for 2 weeks with 0.5 ml distilled water containing 1 mg CuO NPs (subgroup IIIA) and 4 mg CuO NPs (IIIB). Rats in group IV were gavaged 0.4 ml EVOO before IP injected daily for 2 weeks with 0.5 ml distilled water containing either 1 mg CuO NPs (subgroup IVA) or 4 mg CuO NPs (IVB). After treatment, morphological, histological and biochemical studies on the testes were conducted. Examination of CuO NPs treated groups revealed dose dependant increase in pathological changes. These changes were reduced body weight, distorted basement membranes of seminiferous tubules and degeneration of seminiferous cells. Co-administration of EVOO ameliorated most pathological changes. We concluded that CuO NPs induced deteriorating changes in rats' testes which were improved after co-administration of EVOO.

Lung proteomic and metabolomic changes induced by carbon black nanoparticles and high humidity in a mouse asthma model

Allergic asthma is a significant international concern in respiratory health, which can be exacerbated by the increasing levels of non-allergenic pollutants. This rise in airborne pollutants is a primary driver behind the growing prevalence of asthma, posing a health emergency. Additionally, climatic risk factors can contribute to the onset and progression of asthma. Understanding the complex interplay between pollution, climate, and asthma induction is crucial to elucidate how environmental changes intensify asthma. In this study, we investigated the proteomic and metabolomic changes in the lungs of a mouse asthma model following co-exposure to carbon black nanoparticles and high humidity, which represent airborne and climatic factors, respectively. An asthma model was established using ovalbumin, and mice were intratracheally instilled with 15 or 30 μg/kg of carbon black and simultaneously exposed to either 70% or 90% relative humidity. Protein and metabolite profiles from the lung were used to analyze the most significantly changed clusters, and potential biomarkers and enriched pathways were identified to dissect the adverse effects of the two risk factors. The lung proteome and metabolome are significantly altered by the co-exposure, with the effects modulated by carbon black concentration and humidity level. This study proposes 10 proteins and 18 metabolites as candidate biomarkers. The significantly enriched KEGG pathways include one protein pathway (primary immunodeficiency) and six metabolic pathways (ABC transporters, nucleotide metabolism, Parkinson's disease, purine metabolism, choline metabolism in cancer, and biosynthesis of cofactors). A joint proteomic and metabolomic analysis identifies five common pathways across both omics, namely, ABC transporters, central carbon metabolism in cancer, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, glioma, and NF-kappa B signaling pathway, disturbed by the co-exposure. We provide a multi-omic basis for the health risk assessment and management of co-exposures to environmental risk factors.

Combination of Apigenin and Melatonin with nanostructured lipid carriers as anti-inflammatory ocular treatment

Ocular inflammation is a complex pathology with limited treatment options. While traditional therapies have side effects, novel approaches, such as natural compounds like Apigenin (APG) and Melatonin (MEL) offer promising solutions. APG and MEL, in combination with nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), may provide a synergistic effect in treating ocular inflammation, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing adverse effects. NLC could provide chemical protection of these compounds, while offering a sustained release into the ocular surface. Optimized NLC exhibited suitable physicochemical parameters, physical stability, sustained release of APG and MEL, and were biocompatible in vitro with a corneal cell line, and in ovo by using hen's egg chorioallantoic membrane test. In vitro and in vivo studies confirmed the NLC' ability to attenuate inflammation by reducing interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) cytokine levels and by decreasing inflammation in a rabbit model. These findings suggest that the co-encapsulation of APG and MEL into NLC could represent a promising strategy for managing ocular inflammatory conditions.

Advanced Polymeric Nanoparticles for Cancer Immunotherapy: Materials Engineering, Immunotherapeutic Mechanism and Clinical Translation

Cancer immunotherapy, which leverages immune system components to treat malignancies, has emerged as a cornerstone of contemporary therapeutic strategies. Yet, critical concerns about the efficacy and safety of cancer immunotherapies remain formidable. Nanotechnology, especially polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs), offers unparalleled flexibility in manipulation-from the chemical composition and physical properties to the precision control of nanoassemblies. PNPs provide an optimal platform to amplify the potency and minimize systematic toxicity in a broad spectrum of immunotherapeutic modalities. In this comprehensive review, the basics of polymer chemistry, and state-of-the-art designs of PNPs from a physicochemical standpoint for cancer immunotherapy, encompassing therapeutic cancer vaccines, in situ vaccination, adoptive T-cell therapies, tumor-infiltrating immune cell-targeted therapies, therapeutic antibodies, and cytokine therapies are delineated. Each immunotherapy necessitates distinctively tailored design strategies in polymeric nanoplatforms. The extensive applications of PNPs, and investigation of their mechanisms of action for enhanced efficacy are particularly focused on. The safety profiles of PNPs and clinical research progress are discussed. Additionally, forthcoming developments and emergent trends of polymeric nano-immunotherapeutics poised to transform cancer treatment paradigms into clinics are explored.

Current developments and prospects of the antibiotic delivery systems

Antibiotics have remained the cornerstone for the treatment of bacterial infections ever since their discovery in the twentieth century. The uproar over antibiotic resistance among bacteria arising from genome plasticity and biofilm development has rendered current antibiotic therapies ineffective, urging the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. The development of antibiotic resistance among bacteria has further heightened the clinical failure of antibiotic therapy, which is often linked to its low bioavailability, side effects, and poor penetration and accumulation at the site of infection. In this review, we highlight the potential use of siderophores, antibodies, cell-penetrating peptides, antimicrobial peptides, bacteriophages, and nanoparticles to smuggle antibiotics across impermeable biological membranes to achieve therapeutically relevant concentrations of antibiotics and combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We will discuss the general mechanisms via which each delivery system functions and how it can be tailored to deliver antibiotics against the paradigm of mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance.

Present and future of cancer nano-immunotherapy: opportunities, obstacles and challenges

Clinically, multimodal therapies are adopted worldwide for the management of cancer, which continues to be a leading cause of death. In recent years, immunotherapy has firmly established itself as a new paradigm in cancer care that activates the body's immune defense to cope with cancer. Immunotherapy has resulted in significant breakthroughs in the treatment of stubborn tumors, dramatically improving the clinical outcome of cancer patients. Multiple forms of cancer immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), adoptive cell therapy and cancer vaccines, have become widely available. However, the effectiveness of these immunotherapies is not much satisfying. Many cancer patients do not respond to immunotherapy, and disease recurrence appears to be unavoidable because of the rapidly evolving resistance. Moreover, immunotherapies can give rise to severe off-target immune-related adverse events. Strategies to remove these hindrances mainly focus on the development of combinatorial therapies or the exploitation of novel immunotherapeutic mediations. Nanomaterials carrying anticancer agents to the target site are considered as practical approaches for cancer treatment. Nanomedicine combined with immunotherapies offers the possibility to potentiate systemic antitumor immunity and to facilitate selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells in an effective and safe manner. A myriad of nano-enabled cancer immunotherapies are currently under clinical investigation. Owing to gaps between preclinical and clinical studies, nano-immunotherapy faces multiple challenges, including the biosafety of nanomaterials and clinical trial design. In this review, we provide an overview of cancer immunotherapy and summarize the evidence indicating how nanomedicine-based approaches increase the efficacy of immunotherapies. We also discuss the key challenges that have emerged in the era of nanotechnology-based cancer immunotherapy. Taken together, combination nano-immunotherapy is drawing increasing attention, and it is anticipated that the combined treatment will achieve the desired success in clinical cancer therapy.

Penetration of Microplastics and Nanoparticles Through Skin: Effects of Size, Shape, and Surface Chemistry

Skin represents an effective barrier against the penetration of external agents into the human body. Nevertheless, recent research has shown that small particles, especially in the nanosized range, can not only penetrate through the skin but also work as vectors to transport active molecules such as contrast agents or drugs. This knowledge has opened new perspectives on nanomedicine and controlled drug delivery. On the other hand, micro- and nanoplastics represent a form of emerging pollutants, and their concentration in the environment has been reported to drastically increase in the last years. The possible penetration of these particles through the skin has become a major concern for human health. If the actual primary toxicity of these materials is still debated, their possible role in the transport of toxic molecules through the skin, originating as secondary toxicity, is surely alarming. In this review paper, we analyze and critically discuss the most recent scientific publications to underline how these two processes, (i) the controlled delivery of bioactive molecules by micro- and nano-structures and (ii) the unwanted and uncontrolled penetration of toxic species through the skin mediated by micro- and nanoparticles, are deeply related and their efficiency is strongly affected by the nature, size, and shape of the particles.

Impact of surface chemistry of upconversion nanoparticles on time-dependent cytotoxicity in non-cancerous epithelial cells

The application of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) for cell and tissue analysis requires a comprehensive understanding of their interactions with biological entities to prevent toxicity or harmful effects. Whereas most studies focus on cancer cells, this work addresses non-cancerous cells with their regular in vitro physiology. Since it is generally accepted that surface chemistry largely determines biocompatibility in general and uptake of nanomaterials in particular, two bilayer surface coatings with different surface shielding properties have been studied: (i) a phospholipid bilayer membrane (PLM) and (ii) an amphiphilic polymer (AP). Both surface modifications are applied to (12-33) nm core-shell UCNPs NaYF4(Yb, Er)@NaYF4, ensuring colloidal stability in biological media. The impact of UCNPs@AP and UCNPs@PLM on non-cancerous epithelial-like kidney cells in vitro was found to differ significantly. UCNPs@PLM did not exhibit any measurable effect on cell physiology, even with prolonged exposure. In contrast, UCNPs@AP caused changes in cell morphology and induced cell-death after approximately 30 h. These variations in toxicity are attributed to the distinct chemical stability of these particles, which likely influences their intracellular disintegration.

Lactoferrin as a Versatile Agent in Nanoparticle Applications: From Therapeutics to Agriculture

Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as a potent choice for various applications, from drug delivery to agricultural studies, serving as an alternative and promising methodology for future advancements. They have been widely explored in delivery systems, demonstrating immense promise and high efficiency for the delivery of numerous biomolecules such as proteins and anticancer agents, either solely or modified with other compounds to enhance their capabilities. In addition, the utilization of NPs extends to antimicrobial studies, where they are used to develop novel antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral formulations with advanced characteristics. Lactoferrin (Lf) is a glycoprotein recognized for its significant multifunctional properties, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects. Its activity has a broad distribution in the human body, with Lf receptors present in multiple regions. Current research shows that Lf is utilized in NP technology as a surface material, encapsulated biomolecule, and even as an NP itself. Due to the abundance of Lf receptors in various regions, Lf can be employed as a surface material in NPs for targeted delivery strategies, particularly in crossing the BBB and targeting specific cancers. Furthermore, Lf can be synthesized in an NP structure, positioning it as a strong candidate in future NP-related applications. In this article, we explore the highlighted and underexplored areas of Lf applications in NPs research.

In silico assessment of nanoparticle toxicity powered by the Enalos Cloud Platform: Integrating automated machine learning and synthetic data for enhanced nanosafety evaluation

The rapid advance of nanotechnology has led to the development and widespread application of nanomaterials, raising concerns regarding their potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. Traditional (experimental) methods for assessing the nanoparticles (NPs) safety are time-consuming, expensive, and resource-intensive, and raise ethical concerns due to their reliance on animals. To address these challenges, we propose an in silico workflow that serves as an alternative or complementary approach to conventional hazard and risk assessment strategies, which incorporates state-of-the-art computational methodologies. In this study we present an automated machine learning (autoML) scheme that employs dose-response toxicity data for silver (Ag), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and copper oxide (CuO) NPs. This model is further enriched with atomistic descriptors to capture the NPs' underlying structural properties. To overcome the issue of limited data availability, synthetic data generation techniques are used. These techniques help in broadening the dataset, thus improving the representation of different NP classes. A key aspect of this approach is a novel three-step applicability domain method (which includes the development of a local similarity approach) that enhances user confidence in the results by evaluating the prediction's reliability. We anticipate that this approach will significantly expedite the nanosafety assessment process enabling regulation to keep pace with innovation, and will provide valuable insights for the design and development of safe and sustainable NPs. The ML model developed in this study is made available to the scientific community as an easy-to-use web-service through the Enalos Cloud Platform (www.enaloscloud.novamechanics.com/sabydoma/safenanoscope/), facilitating broader access and collaborative advancements in nanosafety.

Environmental toxicity assessment of engineered nanoparticles manifest histo-hemato alterations to fresh water fish

The present study rigorously examined the toxicological effects of nanoparticles (NPs), specifically nickel (Ni) and chromium oxide (Cr3O4) NPs, synthesized under controlled conditions and characterized. To evaluate their potential environmental impact exposed the freshwater fish Labeo rohita (L. rohita) to environmentally relevant concentrations of both NPs within a controlled laboratory conditions. Vital organs, including gills and liver were subjected to histopathological analysis, revealing profound alterations in tissue architecture that were distinctly correlated with pathological damage. The lesions exhibited moderate to severe changes that are further correlated with the semi-quantitative mean alteration value (MAV). Furthermore, conducted a quantitative assessment of tissue-specific morphological changes. Notably, there was a significant reduction in critical hematological changes, including red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, hemoglobin concentrations and other parameters. All of which exhibited significant fluctuations in relation to increasing NPs concentrations. These findings underscore the critical necessity for continued investigation into the ecological risks associated with these nanoparticles.

Superhydrophobic surfaces for the sustainable maintenance of building materials and stone-built heritage: The challenges, opportunities and perspectives

Bio-inspired superhydrophobic surfaces have demonstrated great potential for functional applications across a wide range of fields, including the surface maintenance of building materials. In the outdoor environment, the degradation of building materials, such as concretes, stones, bricks, tiles and mortars, poses severe structural, functional and aesthetic risks to the entire construction, raising growing concerns worldwide. Superhydrophobic surfaces are ideal multifunctional protective coatings, owing to the inhibition of liquid adhesion/penetration, spontaneous surface self-cleaning and hindering the adhesion of bacterial cells to surfaces. Yet, despite the appealing multi-functionalities and the large number of materials reported in recent years, several drawbacks that hamper wide production and application remain unresolved, e.g., poor chemical/mechanical/weathering durability, low transparency, insufficient antimicrobial effect in humid environments, toxic and environmentally unfriendly raw materials upon fabrication. In this review, the key bottlenecks identified after tentative applications are summarized underlying the underpinning mechanisms in depth. The newly proposed emerging strategies for addressing the specific limitations are then categorized and discussed in detail. Additionally, taking into account the physicochemical properties of building materials, the particular requirements concerning stone-built heritage conservation and the outdoor environment, the feasibility and the pros and cons of novel strategies are critically reviewed, outlining the future prospects of the field.

Effects of metal oxide nanoparticles on healthy and psoriasis-like human epidermal keratinocytes in vitro

The use of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) in skincare products has significantly increased human skin exposure, raising safety concerns. Whilst NP's ability to penetrate healthy skin is minimal, studies have demonstrated that metal oxide NPs can induce toxicity in keratinocytes through direct contact. Moreover, NP's effect on common skin disorders like psoriasis, where barrier impairments and underlying inflammation could potentially increase NP penetration and worsen nanotoxicity is largely unstudied. In this paper, we investigated whether psoriasis-like human keratinocytes (Pso HKs) would exhibit heightened toxic responses to titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), and/or silica (SiO2) NPs compared to healthy HKs. Cells were exposed to each NP at concentrations ranging between 0.5 and 500 µg/ml for 6, 24, and 48 h. Amongst the metal oxide NPs, ZnO NPs produced the most pronounced toxic effects in both cell types, affecting cell viability, inducing oxidative stress, and activating the inflammasome pathway. Notably, only in ZnO NPs-treated Pso HKs, trappin-2/pre-elafin was cleaved intracellularly through a non-canonical process. In addition, tissue remodelling-related cytokines were upregulated in ZnO NP-treated Pso HKs. The full impact of the observed outcomes on psoriatic symptoms will need further evaluation. Nonetheless, our findings indicate the importance of understanding the sub-lethal impacts of NP exposures on keratinocytes, even though direct exposure may be low, particularly in the context of skin disorders where repeated and long-term exposures are anticipated.

Nanoparticles in drinking water: Assessing health risks and regulatory challenges

Nanoparticles (NPs) pose a significant concern in drinking water due to their potential health risks and environmental impact. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current understanding of NP sources and contamination in drinking water, focusing on health concerns, mitigation strategies, regulatory frameworks, and future perspectives. This review highlights the importance of nano-specific pathways, fate processes, health risks & toxicity, and the need for realistic toxicity assessments. Different NPs like titanium dioxide, silver, nanoplastics, nanoscale liquid crystal monomers, copper oxide, and others pose potential health risks through ingestion, inhalation, or dermal exposure, impacting organs and potentially leading to oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, DNA damage, cytotoxicity, disrupt intracellular energetic mechanisms, reactive oxygen species generation, respiratory and immune toxicity, and genotoxicity in humans. Utilizing case studies and literature reviews, we investigate the health risks associated with NPs in freshwater environments, emphasizing their relevance to drinking water quality. Various mitigation and treatment strategies, including filtration systems (e.g., reverse osmosis, and ultra/nano-filtration), adsorption processes, coagulation/flocculation, electrocoagulation, advanced oxidation processes, membrane distillation, and ultraviolet treatment, all of which demonstrate high removal efficiencies for NPs from drinking water. Regulatory frameworks and challenges for the production, applications, and disposal of NPs at both national and international levels are discussed, emphasizing the need for tailored regulations to address NP contamination and standardize safety testing and risk assessment practices. Looking ahead, this review underscores the necessity of advancing detection methods and nanomaterial-based treatment technologies while stressing the pivotal role of public awareness and tailored regulatory guidelines in upholding drinking water quality standards. This review emphasizes the urgency of addressing NP contamination in drinking water and provides insights into potential solutions and future research directions. Lastly, this review worth concluded with future recommendations on advanced analytical techniques and sensitive sensors for NP detection for safeguarding public health and policy implementations.

Nasal instillation of polystyrene nanoplastics induce lung injury via mitochondrial DNA release and activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes-signaling cascade

Nanoplastics (NPs) are a common type of degraded plastic material associated with adverse health effects such as pulmonary injury. However, the molecular mechanism(s) underlying lung injury as caused by NPs remains uncertain. Thus, we herein investigated the pulmonary toxicity of NPs on RAW264.7 cells and C57BL/6 mice. Our in vitro study indicated that NPs induced oxidative stress, cell death, inflammation, and the activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-signaling pathway. Mice in our in vivo study displayed significant pulmonary fibrosis, inflammation, apoptosis, necrosis, and excessive double-stranded DNA release into serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Our mechanistic exploration uncovered cGAS-STING-signaling activation as the leading cause of NPs-induced pulmonary fibrosis. The current study opens an avenue toward elucidating the role of the cGAS-STING-signaling pathway in NPs-induced pulmonary injury.

Chemical screens for particle-induced macrophage death identifies kinase inhibitors of phagocytosis as targets for toxicity

BACKGROUND

Nanoparticles are increasingly being used in medicine, cosmetics, food, and manufacturing. However, potential toxicity may limit the use of newly engineered nanoparticles. Prior studies have identified particle characteristics that are predictive of toxicity, although the mechanisms responsible for toxicity remain largely unknown. Nanoparticle treatment in cell culture, combined with high-throughput chemical screen allows for systematic perturbations of thousands of molecular targets against potential pathways of toxicity. The resulting data matrix, called chemical compendium, can provide insights into the mechanism of toxicity as well as help classify nanoparticles based on toxicity pathway.

RESULTS

We performed unbiased screens of 1280 bioactive chemicals against a panel of four particles, searching for inhibitors of macrophage toxicity. Our hit compounds clustered upon inhibitors of kinases involved in phagocytosis, including focal adhesion kinase (FAK), with varying specificity depending on particles. Interestingly, known inhibitors of cell death including NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor were unable to suppress particle-induced macrophage death for many of the particles. By searching for upstream receptors of kinases, we identified Cd11b as one of the receptors involved in recognizing a subset of particles. We subsequently used these hit compounds and antibodies to further characterize a larger panel of particles and identified hydrodynamic size as an important particle characteristic in Cd11b-mediated particle uptake and toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our chemical compendium and workflow can be expanded across cell types and assays to characterize the toxicity mechanism of newly engineered nanoparticles. The data in their current form can also be analyzed to help design future high-throughput screening for nanoparticle toxicity.

DNA Adductomics: A Narrative Review of Its Development, Applications, and Future

DNA adductomics is the global study of all DNA adducts and was first proposed in 2006 by the Matsuda group. Its development has been greatly credited to the advances in mass spectrometric techniques, particularly tandem and multiple-stage mass spectrometry. In fact, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based methods are virtually the sole technique with practicality for DNA adductomic studies to date. At present, DNA adductomics is primarily used as a tool to search for DNA adducts, known and unknown, providing evidence for exposure to exogenous genotoxins and/or for the molecular mechanisms of their genotoxicity. Some DNA adducts discovered in this way have the potential to predict cancer risks and/or to be associated with adverse health outcomes. DNA adductomics has been successfully used to identify and determine exogenous carcinogens that may contribute to the etiology of certain cancers, including bacterial genotoxins and an N-nitrosamine. Also using the DNA adductomic approach, multiple DNA adducts have been observed to show age dependence and may serve as aging biomarkers. These achievements highlight the capability and power of DNA adductomics in the studies of medicine, biological science, and environmental science. Nonetheless, DNA adductomics is still in its infancy, and great advances are expected in the future.

Intestinal biofilms: pathophysiological relevance, host defense, and therapeutic opportunities

SUMMARYThe human intestinal tract harbors a profound variety of microorganisms that live in symbiosis with the host and each other. It is a complex and highly dynamic environment whose homeostasis directly relates to human health. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and polymicrobial biofilms have been associated with gastrointestinal diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, and colorectal cancers. This review covers the molecular composition and organization of intestinal biofilms, mechanistic aspects of biofilm signaling networks for bacterial communication and behavior, and synergistic effects in polymicrobial biofilms. It further describes the clinical relevance and diseases associated with gut biofilms, the role of biofilms in antimicrobial resistance, and the intestinal host defense system and therapeutic strategies counteracting biofilms. Taken together, this review summarizes the latest knowledge and research on intestinal biofilms and their role in gut disorders and provides directions toward the development of biofilm-specific treatments.

Nanodelivery Optimization of IDO1 Inhibitors in Tumor Immunotherapy: Challenges and Strategies

Tryptophan (Trp) metabolism plays a vital role in cancer immunity. Indoleamine 2.3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), is a crucial enzyme in the metabolic pathway by which Trp is degraded to kynurenine (Kyn). IDO1-mediated Trp metabolites can inhibit tumor immunity and facilitate immune evasion by cancer cells; thus, targeting IDO1 is a potential tumor immunotherapy strategy. Recently, numerous IDO1 inhibitors have been introduced into clinical trials as immunotherapeutic agents for cancer treatment. However, drawbacks such as low oral bioavailability, slow onset of action, and high toxicity are associated with these drugs. With the continuous development of nanotechnology, medicine is gradually entering an era of precision healthcare. Nanodrugs carried by inorganic, lipid, and polymer nanoparticles (NPs) have shown great potential for tumor therapy, providing new ways to overcome tumor diversity and improve therapeutic efficacy. Compared to traditional drugs, nanomedicines offer numerous significant advantages, including a prolonged half-life, low toxicity, targeted delivery, and responsive release. Moreover, based on the physicochemical properties of these nanomaterials (eg, photothermal, ultrasonic response, and chemocatalytic properties), various combination therapeutic strategies have been developed to synergize the effects of IDO1 inhibitors and enhance their anticancer efficacy. This review is an overview of the mechanism by which the Trp-IDO1-Kyn pathway acts in tumor immune escape. The classification of IDO1 inhibitors, their clinical applications, and barriers for translational development are discussed, the use of IDO1 inhibitor-based nanodrug delivery systems as combination therapy strategies is summarized, and the issues faced in their clinical application are elucidated. We expect that this review will provide guidance for the development of IDO1 inhibitor-based nanoparticle nanomedicines that can overcome the limitations of current treatments, improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, and lead to new breakthroughs in the field of cancer immunotherapy.

An Online Nanoinformatics Platform Empowering Computational Modeling of Nanomaterials by Nanostructure Annotations and Machine Learning Toolkits

Modern nanotechnology has generated numerous datasets from in vitro and in vivo studies on nanomaterials, with some available on nanoinformatics portals. However, these existing databases lack the digital data and tools suitable for machine learning studies. Here, we report a nanoinformatics platform that accurately annotates nanostructures into machine-readable data files and provides modeling toolkits. This platform, accessible to the public at https://vinas-toolbox.com/, has annotated nanostructures of 14 material types. The associated nanodescriptor data and assay test results are appropriate for modeling purposes. The modeling toolkits enable data standardization, data visualization, and machine learning model development to predict properties and bioactivities of new nanomaterials. Moreover, a library of virtual nanostructures with their predicted properties and bioactivities is available, directing the synthesis of new nanomaterials. This platform provides a data-driven computational modeling platform for the nanoscience community, significantly aiding in the development of safe and effective nanomaterials.

Recent progress in quantitative analysis of self-assembled peptides

Self-assembled peptides have been among the important biomaterials due to its excellent biocompatibility and diverse functions. Over the past decades, substantial progress and breakthroughs have been made in designing self-assembled peptides with multifaceted biomedical applications. The techniques for quantitative analysis, including imaging-based quantitative techniques, chromatographic technique and computational approach (molecular dynamics simulation), are becoming powerful tools for exploring the structure, properties, biomedical applications, and even supramolecular assembly processes of self-assembled peptides. However, a comprehensive review concerning these quantitative techniques remains scarce. In this review, recent progress in techniques for quantitative investigation of biostability, cellular uptake, biodistribution, self-assembly behaviors of self-assembled peptide etc., are summarized. Specific applications and roles of these techniques are highlighted in detail. Finally, challenges and outlook in this field are concluded. It is believed that this review will provide technical guidance for researchers in the field of peptide-based materials and pharmaceuticals, and facilitate related research for newcomers in this field.

Green synthesis-inspired antibacterial, antioxidant and adhesive hydrogels with ultra-fast gelation and hemostasis for promoting infected skin wound healing

Bacterial infections are a serious threat to wound healing and skin regeneration. In recent years, photothermal therapy (PTT) has become one of the most promising tools in the treatment of infectious diseases. However, wound dressings with photo-responsive properties are currently still limited by the difficulties of biosafety and thermal stability brought by the introduction of photosensitizers or photothermal agents. Therefore, how to improve the therapeutic efficiency and biosafety from material design is still a major challenge at present. In this study, the carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) and protocatechuic aldehyde (PA) hydrogels based on horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) enzymatic catalysis was developed. Therein, HRP and H2O2 catalyzed cross-linking while polymerizing PA, which not only endowed the hydrogels with photothermal responsiveness but also with good biosafety through this enzyme-catalyzed green approach. Meanwhile, the hydrogels possessed highly efficient bacteriostatic ability with the assistance of near infrared (NIR). Moreover, the ultra-rapid gelation, strong tissue adhesion, high swelling ability, good antioxidant property and hemostatic property of the CMCS-PA hydrogels based on HRP/H2O2 enzymatic catalysis were suitable for the treatment of skin wounds. Meanwhile, NIR-assistant CMCS-PA hydrogels based on HRP/H2O2 enzymatic catalysis reduced inflammation, decreased bacterial infection, and promoted collagen deposition and angiogenesis, which showed remarkable therapeutic effects in a skin wound infection model. All results indicate that this green approach to introduce photothermal property by HRP-catalyzed PA polymerization endows the hydrogels with efficient photothermal conversion efficiency, suggesting that they are promising to provide new options for replacing photothermal agents and photosensitizers. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In recent years, wound dressings with photo-responsive properties are currently still limited by the difficulties of biosafety and thermal stability brought by the introduction of agent photosensitizers or photothermal agents. In this study, the carboxymethyl chitosan and protocatechuic aldehyde hydrogels based on horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide enzymatic catalysis was developed. The photothermal properties of hydrogels were transformed from absent to present just by horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed protocatechuic aldehyde polymerization in a green approach. Meanwhile, the hydrogels possessed highly efficient bacteriostatic ability with the assistance of near infrared. The green approach of introducing photothermal properties from material design solves the biosafety challenge. Therefore, this study is expected to provide new options for alternative photothermal agents and photosensitizers.

The combined effects of polystyrene of different sizes and cadmium in mouse kidney tissues

Environmental accumulation of nano- and microplastics pose serious risks to human health. Polystyrene (PS) is a polymer commonly used in the production of plastics. However, PS can adsorb cadmium (Cd), thereby influencing bioavailability and toxicity in vivo. Moreover, PS and Cd can accumulate in the mammalian kidney. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the effects of combined exposure to PS and Cd in the kidney. Kidney damage was evaluated in male mice gavaged with PS (diameter, 100 nm and/or 1 μm) and Cd for 25 days.The results showed that PS at 100 nm caused more severe oxidative damage and cell apoptosis than PS at 1 μm. Combined exposure to PS at both 100 nm and 1 μm caused more severe kidney damage than the single administration groups. The extent of kidney toxicity caused by Cd differed with the combination of PS particles at 100 nm vs. 1 μm. The degree of damage to kidney function, pathological changes, and cell apoptosis induced by Cd+100 nm PS+1μm PS was the most severe. An increase in the Bax/Bcl2 ratio and overexpression of p53 and caspase-3 revealed that renal cell apoptosis might be induced via the mitochondrial pathway. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the size of PS particles dictates the combined effects of PS and Cd in kidney tissues. Kidney damage caused by the combination of different sizes of PS particle and Cd is more complicated under actual environmental conditions.

Ruxolitinib-loaded poly-ɛ-caprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles inhibit JAK2/STAT5 signaling in BT474 breast cancer cells by downregulating Bcl-2 and Mcl-1

BACKGROUND

JAK/STAT signaling plays an important role in regulating cell proliferation. Reducing proliferation and inducing cell death with gene-specific inhibitors such as ruxolitinib, Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) inhibitor targeting JAK1/2, are therapeutic approaches. The use of nanoparticles can reduce the toxicity and side effects of drugs, as they act directly on cancer cells and can selectively increase drug accumulation in tumor cells. Poly-ɛ-caprolactone (PCL) is a polymer that is frequently used in drug development. In this study, Rux-PCL-NPs were synthesized to increase the effectiveness of ruxolitinib. In addition, this study aimed to determine the effect of Rux-PCL-NPs on JAK/STAT signaling and apoptotic cell death.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Rux-PCL-NPs were synthesized by nanoprecipitation. The Rux-PCL-NPs had a spherical and mean particle size of 219 ± 88.66 nm and a zeta potential of 0.471 ± 0.453 mV. In vitro cytotoxicity and antiproliferative effects were determined by MTT and soft agar colony formation assays, respectively. The effects of ruxolitinib, PCL-NPs, and Rux-PCL-NPs on apoptosis and the JAK/STAT pathway in cells were examined by western blot analysis. PCL-NPs did not have a toxic effect on the cells. The IC50 value of Rux-PCL-NPs was decreased 50-fold compared to that of ruxolitinib. Rux-PCL-NPs promoted cell death by downregulating JAK2 and STAT5, thereby inhibiting the JAK/STAT pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results revealed that Rux-PCL-NPs, which increased the efficacy of ruxolitinib, regulated apoptosis and the JAK2/STAT5 pathway.

Peptide-TLR7/8a-Coordinated DNA Vaccines Elicit Enhanced Immune Responses against Infectious Diseases

DNA vaccines represent an innovative approach for the immunization of diverse diseases. However, their clinical trial outcomes are constrained by suboptimal transfection efficiency and immunogenicity. In this work, we present a universal methodology involving the codelivery of Toll-like receptor 7/8 agonists (TLR7/8a) and antigen gene using TLR7/8a-conjugated peptide-coated poly(β-amino ester) (PBAE) nanoparticles (NPs) to augment delivery efficiency and immune response. Peptide-TLR7/8a-coated PBAE NPs exhibit advantageous biophysical attributes, encompassing diminutive particle dimensions, nearly neutral ζ potential, and stability in the physiological environment. This synergistic approach not only ameliorates the stability of plasmid DNA (pDNA) and gene delivery efficacy but also facilitates subsequent antigen production. Furthermore, under optimal formulation conditions, the TLR7/8a-conjugated peptide coated PBAE NPs exhibit a potent capacity to induce robust immune responses. Collectively, this nanoparticulate gene delivery system demonstrates heightened transfection efficacy, stability, biodegradability, immunostimulatory effect, and low toxicity, making it a promising platform for the clinical advancement of DNA vaccines.

Breaking the barrier: Nanoparticle-enhanced radiotherapy as the new vanguard in brain tumor treatment

The pursuit of effective treatments for brain tumors has increasingly focused on the promising area of nanoparticle-enhanced radiotherapy (NERT). This review elucidates the context and significance of NERT, with a particular emphasis on its application in brain tumor therapy-a field where traditional treatments often encounter obstacles due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and tumor cells' inherent resistance. The aims of this review include synthesizing recent advancements, analyzing action mechanisms, and assessing the clinical potential and challenges associated with nanoparticle (NP) use in radiotherapy enhancement. Preliminary preclinical studies have established a foundation for NERT, demonstrating that nanoparticles (NPs) can serve as radiosensitizers, thereby intensifying radiotherapy's efficacy. Investigations into various NP types, such as metallic, magnetic, and polymeric, have each unveiled distinct interactions with ionizing radiation, leading to an augmented destruction of tumor cells. These interactions, encompassing physical dose enhancement and biological and chemical radio sensitization, are crucial to the NERT strategy. Although clinical studies are in their early phases, initial trials have shown promising results in terms of tumor response rates and survival, albeit with mindful consideration of toxicity profiles. This review examines pivotal studies affirming NERT's efficacy and safety. NPs have the potential to revolutionize radiotherapy by overcoming challenges in targeted delivery, reducing off-target effects, and harmonizing with other modalities. Future directions include refining NP formulations, personalizing therapies, and navigating regulatory pathways. NERT holds promise to transform brain tumor treatment and provide hope for patients.

Impact of mechanical cues on key cell functions and cell-nanoparticle interactions

In recent years, it has been recognized that mechanical forces play an important regulative role in living organisms and possess a direct impact on crucial cell functions, ranging from cell growth to maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Advancements in mechanobiology have revealed the profound impact of mechanical signals on diverse cellular responses that are cell type specific. Notably, numerous studies have elucidated the pivotal role of different mechanical cues as regulatory factors influencing various cellular processes, including cell spreading, locomotion, differentiation, and proliferation. Given these insights, it is unsurprising that the responses of cells regulated by physical forces are intricately linked to the modulation of nanoparticle uptake kinetics and processing. This complex interplay underscores the significance of understanding the mechanical microenvironment in shaping cellular behaviors and, consequently, influencing how cells interact with and process nanoparticles. Nevertheless, our knowledge on how localized physical forces affect the internalization and processing of nanoparticles by cells remains rather limited. A significant gap exists in the literature concerning a systematic analysis of how mechanical cues might bias the interactions between nanoparticles and cells. Hence, our aim in this review is to provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of the existing knowledge regarding the influence of mechanical cues on the complicated dynamics of cell-nanoparticle interactions. By addressing this gap, we would like to contribute to a detailed understanding of the role that mechanical forces play in shaping the complex interplay between cells and nanoparticles.

Novel nanostructured lipid carriers loading Apigenin for anterior segment ocular pathologies

Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic multifactorial disorder of the ocular surface caused by tear film dysfunction and constitutes one of the most common ocular conditions worldwide. However, its treatment remains unsatisfactory. While artificial tears are commonly used to moisturize the ocular surface, they do not address the underlying causes of DED. Apigenin (APG) is a natural product with anti-inflammatory properties, but its low solubility and bioavailability limit its efficacy. Therefore, a novel formulation of APG loaded into biodegradable and biocompatible nanoparticles (APG-NLC) was developed to overcome the restricted APG stability, improve its therapeutic efficacy, and prolong its retention time on the ocular surface by extending its release. APG-NLC optimization, characterization, biopharmaceutical properties and therapeutic efficacy were evaluated. The optimized APG-NLC exhibited an average particle size below 200 nm, a positive surface charge, and an encapsulation efficiency over 99 %. APG-NLC exhibited sustained release of APG, and stability studies demonstrated that the formulation retained its integrity for over 25 months. In vitro and in vivo ocular tolerance studies indicated that APG-NLC did not cause any irritation, rendering them suitable for ocular topical administration. Furthermore, APG-NLC showed non-toxicity in an epithelial corneal cell line and exhibited fast cell internalization. Therapeutic benefits were demonstrated using an in vivo model of DED, where APG-NLC effectively reversed DED by reducing ocular surface cellular damage and increasing tear volume. Anti-inflammatory assays in vivo also showcased its potential to treat and prevent ocular inflammation, particularly relevant in DED patients. Hence, APG-NLC represent a promising system for the treatment and prevention of DED and its associated inflammation.

Exploring In Vivo Pulmonary and Splenic Toxicity Profiles of Silicon Quantum Dots in Mice

Silicon-based quantum dots (SiQDs) represent a special class of nanoparticles due to their low toxicity and easily modifiable surface properties. For this reason, they are used in applications such as bioimaging, fluorescent labeling, drug delivery, protein detection techniques, and tissue engineering despite a serious lack of information on possible in vivo effects. The present study aimed to characterize and evaluate the in vivo toxicity of SiQDs obtained by laser ablation in the lung and spleen of mice. The particles were administered in three different doses (1, 10, and 100 mg QDs/kg of body weight) by intravenous injection into the caudal vein of Swiss mice. After 1, 6, 24, and 72 h, the animals were euthanized, and the lung and spleen tissues were harvested for the evaluation of antioxidant enzyme activity, lipid peroxidation, protein expression, and epigenetic and morphological changes. The obtained results highlighted a low toxicity in pulmonary and splenic tissues for concentrations up to 10 mg SiQDs/kg body, demonstrated by biochemical and histopathological analysis. Therefore, our study brings new experimental evidence on the biocompatibility of this type of QD, suggesting the possibility of expanding research on the biomedical applications of SiQDs.

Hemocompatibility studies in nanotoxicology: Hemolysis or eryptosis? (A review)

Hemocompatibility evaluation is an important step in nanotoxicological studies. It is generally accepted that nanomaterials promote lysis of erythrocytes, blood clotting, alter phagocytosis, and upregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, there are no standardized guidelines for testing nanomaterials hemocompatibility despite the fact that nanomaterials enter the bloodstream and interact with blood cells. In this review, the current knowledge on the ability of nanomaterials to induce distinct cell death modalities of erythrocytes is highlighted primarily focusing on hemolysis and eryptosis. This review aims to summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying erythrotoxicity of nanomaterials and critically compare the sensitivity and efficiency of hemolysis or eryptosis assays for nanomaterials blood compatibility testing. The list of eryptosis-inducing nanomaterials is growing, but it is still difficult to generalize how physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles affect eryptosis degree and molecular mechanisms involved. Thus, another aim of this review is to raise the awareness of eryptosis as a nanotoxicological tool to encourage the corresponding studies. It is worthwhile to consider adding eryptosis to in vitro nanomaterials hemocompatibility testing protocols and guidelines.

Application and advances of biomimetic membrane materials in central nervous system disorders

Central nervous system (CNS) diseases encompass spinal cord injuries, brain tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, and ischemic strokes. Recently, there has been a growing global recognition of CNS disorders as a leading cause of disability and death in humans and the second most common cause of death worldwide. The global burdens and treatment challenges posed by CNS disorders are particularly significant in the context of a rapidly expanding global population and aging demographics. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) presents a challenge for effective drug delivery in CNS disorders, as conventional drugs often have limited penetration into the brain. Advances in biomimetic membrane nanomaterials technology have shown promise in enhancing drug delivery for various CNS disorders, leveraging properties such as natural biological surfaces, high biocompatibility and biosafety. This review discusses recent developments in biomimetic membrane materials, summarizes the types and preparation methods of these materials, analyzes their applications in treating CNS injuries, and provides insights into the future prospects and limitations of biomimetic membrane materials.

Harnessing the potential of nanoengineered siRNAs carriers for target responsive glioma therapy: Recent progress and future opportunities

Past scientific testimonials in the field of glioma research, the deadliest tumor among all brain cancer types with the life span of 10-15 months after diagnosis is considered as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Even though the availability of treatment options such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, are unable to completely cure GBM due to tumor microenvironment complexity, intrinsic cellular signalling, and genetic mutations which are involved in chemoresistance. The blood-brain barrier is accountable for restricting drugs entry at the tumor location and related biological challenges like endocytic degradation, short systemic circulation, and insufficient cellular penetration lead to tumor aggression and progression. The above stated challenges can be better mitigated by small interfering RNAs (siRNA) by knockdown genes responsible for tumor progression and resistance. However, siRNA encounters with challenges like inefficient cellular transfection, short circulation time, endogenous degradation, and off-target effects. The novel functionalized nanocarrier approach in conjunction with biological and chemical modification offers an intriguing potential to address challenges associated with the naked siRNA and efficiently silence STAT3, coffilin-1, EGFR, VEGF, SMO, MGMT, HAO-1, GPX-4, TfR, LDLR and galectin-1 genes in GBM tumor. This review highlights the nanoengineered siRNA carriers, their recent advancements, future perspectives, and strategies to overcome the systemic siRNA delivery challenges for glioma treatment.

Exploring the mechanism underlying the antifungal activity of chitosan-based ZnO, CuO, and SiO2 nanocomposites as nanopesticides against Fusarium solani and Alternaria solani

Chitosan-based nanocomposites (CS NCs) are gaining considerable attention as multifaceted antifungal agents. This study investigated the antifungal activity of NCs against two phytopathogenic strains: Fusarium solani (F. solani) and Alternaria solani (A. solani). Moreover, it sheds light on their underlying mechanisms of action. The NCs, CS-ZnO, CS-CuO, and CS-SiO2, were characterized using advanced methods. Dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering techniques revealed their size range (60-170 nm) and cationic nature, as indicated by the positive zeta potential values (from +16 to +22 mV). Transmission electron microscopy revealed the morphology of the NCs as agglomerates formed between the chitosan and oxide components. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed crystalline structures with specific peaks indicating their constituents. Antifungal assessments using the agar diffusion technique demonstrated significant inhibitory effects of the NCs on both fungal strains (1.5 to 4-fold), surpassing the performance of the positive control, nystatin. Notably, the NCs exhibited superior antifungal potency, with CS-ZnO NCs being the most effective. A. solani was the most sensitive strain to the studied agents. Furthermore, the tested NCs induced oxidative stress in fungal cells, which elevated stress biomarker levels, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and protein carbonyl content (PCC), 2.5 and 6-fold for the most active CS-CuO in F. solani respectively. Additionally, they triggered membrane lipid peroxidation up to 3-fold higher compared to control, a process that potentially compromises membrane integrity. Laurdan fluorescence spectroscopy highlighted alterations in the molecular organization of fungal cell membranes induced by the NCs. CS-CuO NCs induced a membrane rigidifying effect, while CS-SiO2 and CS-ZnO could rigidify membranes in A. solani and fluidize them in F. solani. In summary, this study provides an in-depth understanding of the interactions of CS-based NCs with two fungal strains, showing their antifungal activity and offering insights into their mechanisms of action. These findings emphasize the potential of these NCs as effective and versatile antifungal agents.

Nanomaterials-Based Targeting of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer: A Cutting-Edge Review of Current Trends

This review article spotlights the burgeoning potential of using nanotherapeutic strategies to target long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer cells. This updated discourse underlines the prominent role of lncRNAs in instigating cancer, facilitating its progression, and metastasis, validating lncRNAs' potential for being effective diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The manuscript offers an in-depth examination of different strategies presently employed to modulate lncRNA expression and function for therapeutic purposes. Among these strategies, Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASOs), RNA interference (RNAi) technologies, and the innovative clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based gene editing tools garner noteworthy mention. A significant section of the review is dedicated to nanocarriers and their crucial role in drug delivery. These nanocarriers' efficiency in targeting lncRNAs in varied types of cancers is elaborated upon, validating the importance of targeted therapy. The manuscript culminates by reaffirming the promising prospects of targeting lncRNAs to enhance the accuracy of cancer diagnosis and improve treatment efficacy. Consequently, new paths are opened to more research and innovation in employing nanotherapeutic approaches against lncRNAs in cancer cells. Thus, this comprehensive manuscript serves as a valuable resource that underscores the vital role of lncRNAs and the various nano-strategies for targeting them in cancer treatment. Future research should also focus on unraveling the complex regulatory networks involving lncRNAs and identifying fundamental functional interactions to refine therapeutic strategies targeting lncRNAs in cancer.

Beyond the adverse effects of the systemic route: Exploiting nanocarriers for the topical treatment of skin cancers

Skin cancer is a heterogeneous disease that can be divided into two main groups, melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers. Conventional therapies for skin cancer have numerous systemic side effects and a high recurrence rate. Topical treatment is an alternative approach, but drug permeability remains a challenge. Therefore, nanocarriers appear as important nanotechnology tools that reduces both the side effects and improves clinical outcomes. This is why they are attracting growing interest. In this review, scientific articles on the use of nanocarriers for the topical treatment of skin cancer were collected. Despite the promising results of the presented nanocarriers and considering that some of them are already on the market, there is an urgent need for investment in the development of manufacturing methods, as well as of suitable toxicological and regulatory evaluations, since the conventional methods currently used to develop these nanocarriers-based products are more time-consuming and expensive than conventional products.

Exosome Heterogeneity Affects the Distal "Barrier-Crossing" Trafficking of Exosome Encapsulated Quantum Dots

The biological activities of nanoparticles (NPs), which include endocytosis by macrophages and subsequent intracellular degradation and/or release, transfer to other cells, or translocation across tissue barriers, highly depend on their fate in living organisms. Yet, translocation across barriers, especially the distal "barrier-crossing" trafficking of NPs, is still unclear. The exosome (Exo) plays a crucial role in intercellular communication and biological barrier trafficking. Here, we report that ZnCdSe@ZnS quantum dots (QDs), as a representation of NPs in biomedical applications, could cross the blood-brain barrier and approach the mouse brain via active Exo encapsulation. By employing multiple techniques, we demonstrated that QDs were internalized by macrophages (J774A.1) and tumor cells (HeLa) and then released to the extracellular environment along with Exo. Exo encapsulation facilitates the distal barrier-crossing trafficking of QDs in vivo, while Exo biogenesis inhibitor GW4869 suppressed the QDs enriched in the brains of mice with a 4T1-Luc breast cancer xenograft. Interestingly, Exo heterogeneity affects the distal trafficking of enveloped QDs. Exo derived from tumorous HeLa cells, not macrophages, that were enriched in functional proteins with cell adhesion, cell migration, axon guidance, and cell motility, showed a better capacity for the remote trafficking of QDs. This study proposes Exo as a vehicle to deliver exogenous NPs to translocate across the distal barrier and provides further information for biomedical application and the risk assessment of NPs.

The distribution, fate, and environmental impacts of food additive nanomaterials in soil and aquatic ecosystems

Nanomaterials in the food industry are used as food additives, and the main function of these food additives is to improve food qualities including texture, flavor, color, consistency, preservation, and nutrient bioavailability. This review aims to provide an overview of the distribution, fate, and environmental and health impacts of food additive nanomaterials in soil and aquatic ecosystems. Some of the major nanomaterials in food additives include titanium dioxide, silver, gold, silicon dioxide, iron oxide, and zinc oxide. Ingestion of food products containing food additive nanomaterials via dietary intake is considered to be one of the major pathways of human exposure to nanomaterials. Food additive nanomaterials reach the terrestrial and aquatic environments directly through the disposal of food wastes in landfills and the application of food waste-derived soil amendments. A significant amount of ingested food additive nanomaterials (> 90 %) is excreted, and these nanomaterials are not efficiently removed in the wastewater system, thereby reaching the environment indirectly through the disposal of recycled water and sewage sludge in agricultural land. Food additive nanomaterials undergo various transformation and reaction processes, such as adsorption, aggregation-sedimentation, desorption, degradation, dissolution, and bio-mediated reactions in the environment. These processes significantly impact the transport and bioavailability of nanomaterials as well as their behaviour and fate in the environment. These nanomaterials are toxic to soil and aquatic organisms, and reach the food chain through plant uptake and animal transfer. The environmental and health risks of food additive nanomaterials can be overcome by eliminating their emission through recycled water and sewage sludge.

Nanomedicine as a multimodal therapeutic paradigm against cancer: on the way forward in advancing precision therapy

Recent years have witnessed dramatic improvements in nanotechnology-based cancer therapeutics, and it continues to evolve from the use of conventional therapies (chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy) to increasingly multi-complex approaches incorporating thermal energy-based tumor ablation (e.g. magnetic hyperthermia and photothermal therapy), dynamic therapy (e.g. photodynamic therapy), gene therapy, sonodynamic therapy (e.g. ultrasound), immunotherapy, and more recently real-time treatment efficacy monitoring (e.g. theranostic MRI-sensitive nanoparticles). Unlike monotherapy, these multimodal therapies (bimodal, i.e., a combination of two therapies, and trimodal, i.e., a combination of more than two therapies) incorporating nanoplatforms have tremendous potential to improve the tumor tissue penetration and retention of therapeutic agents through selective active/passive targeting effects. These combinatorial therapies can correspondingly alleviate drug response against hypoxic/acidic and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments and promote/induce tumor cell death through various multi-mechanisms such as apoptosis, autophagy, and reactive oxygen-based cytotoxicity, e.g., ferroptosis, etc. These multi-faced approaches such as targeting the tumor vasculature, neoangiogenic vessels, drug-resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs), preventing intra/extravasation to reduce metastatic growth, and modulation of antitumor immune responses work complementary to each other, enhancing treatment efficacy. In this review, we discuss recent advances in different nanotechnology-mediated synergistic/additive combination therapies, emphasizing their underlying mechanisms for improving cancer prognosis and survival outcomes. Additionally, significant challenges such as CSCs, hypoxia, immunosuppression, and distant/local metastasis associated with therapy resistance and tumor recurrences are reviewed. Furthermore, to improve the clinical precision of these multimodal nanoplatforms in cancer treatment, their successful bench-to-clinic translation with controlled and localized drug-release kinetics, maximizing the therapeutic window while addressing safety and regulatory concerns are discussed. As we advance further, exploiting these strategies in clinically more relevant models such as patient-derived xenografts and 3D organoids will pave the way for the application of precision therapy.

Antioxidant nanozymes as next-generation therapeutics to free radical-mediated inflammatory diseases: A comprehensive review

Recent developments in exploring the biological enzyme mimicking properties in nanozymes have opened a separate avenue, which provides a suitable alternative to the natural antioxidants and enzymes. Due to high and tunable catalytic activity, low cost of synthesis, easy surface modification, and good biocompatibility, nanozymes have garnered significant research interest globally. Several inorganic nanomaterials have been investigated to exhibit catalytic activities of some of the key natural enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase, peroxidase, and oxidase, etc. These nanozymes are used for diverse biomedical applications including therapeutics, imaging, and biosensing in various cells/tissues and animal models. In particular, inflammation-related diseases are closely associated with reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species, and therefore effective antioxidants could be excellent therapeutics due to their free radical scavenging ability. Although biological enzymes and other artificial antioxidants could perform well in scavenging the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, however, suffer from several drawbacks such as the requirement of strict physiological conditions for enzymatic activity, limited stability in the environment beyond their optimum pH and temperature, and high cost of synthesis, purification, and storage make then unattractive for broad-spectrum applications. Therefore, this review systematically and comprehensively presents the free radical-mediated evolution of various inflammatory diseases (inflammatory bowel disease, mammary gland fibrosis, and inflammation, acute injury of the liver and kidney, mammary fibrosis, and cerebral ischemic stroke reperfusion) and their mitigation by various antioxidant nanozymes in the biological system. The mechanism of free radical scavenging by antioxidant nanozymes under in vitro and in vivo experimental models and catalytic efficiency comparison with corresponding natural enzymes has also been presented.

Strategies to Promote the Journey of Nanoparticles Against Biofilm-Associated Infections

Biofilm-associated infections are one of the most challenging healthcare threats for humans, accounting for 80% of bacterial infections, leading to persistent and chronic infections. The conventional antibiotics still face their dilemma of poor therapeutic effects due to the high tolerance and resistance led by bacterial biofilm barriers. Nanotechnology-based antimicrobials, nanoparticles (NPs), are paid attention extensively and considered as promising alternative. This review focuses on the whole journey of NPs against biofilm-associated infections, and to clarify it clearly, the journey is divided into four processes in sequence as 1) Targeting biofilms, 2) Penetrating biofilm barrier, 3) Attaching to bacterial cells, and 4) Translocating through bacterial cell envelope. Through outlining the compositions and properties of biofilms and bacteria cells, recent advances and present the strategies of each process are comprehensively discussed to combat biofilm-associated infections, as well as the combined strategies against these infections with drug resistance, aiming to guide the rational design and facilitate wide application of NPs in biofilm-associated infections.