Nanoparticle-induced pulmonary toxicity.
In recent decades, advances in nanotechnology engineering have given rise to the rapid development of many novel applications in the biomedical field. However, studies into the health and safety of these nanomaterials are still lacking. The main concerns are the adverse effects to health caused by acute or chronic exposure to nanoparticles (NPs), especially in the workplace environment. The lung is one of the main routes of entry for NPs into the body and, hence, a likely site for accumulation of NPs. Once NPs enter the interstitial air spaces and are quickly taken up by alveolar cells, they are likely to induce toxic effects. In this review, we highlight the different aspects of lung toxicity resulting from NP exposure, such as generation of oxidative stress, DNA damage and inflammation leading to fibrosis and pneumoconiosis, and the underlying mechanisms causing pulmonary toxicity.
Li
Jasmine Jia'en
JJ
Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 4 Medical Drive, Blk MD10, Singapore 117597.
Muralikrishnan
Sindu
S
Ng
Cheng-Teng
CT
Yung
Lin-Yue Lanry
LY
Bay
Boon-Huat
BH
D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008168:Lung; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000633:toxicity; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects