Physico-chemical features of engineered nanoparticles relevant to their toxicity.
Nanotoxicology studies require investigations of several physico-chemical aspects of the particle/body fluid interaction, here described by reviewing recent literature in the light of new experimental data. Current characterization mostly covers morphology and metric-related characteristics (form, chemical composition, specific surface area, primary particle size and size distribution), and is mandatory in any experimental study. To unveil toxicity mechanisms, several other physico-chemical properties relevant to (geno) toxicity need to be assessed, typically the release or quenching of radical/ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species), the presence of active metal ions, evidence of structural defects. Major tasks for physical chemists working on nanoparticles-induced genotoxicity are described with some examples: (i), Tailored preparation of the same material in different sizes; (ii) particle modification changing a single property at a time; and (iii) identification of appropriate reference materials. Phenomena occurring during the contact between nanoparticles and cellular media or biological fluids (dispersion, agglomeration/aggregation, protein adsorption) are discussed in relation to the surface properties of the nanoparticles considered.
Fubini
Bice
B
Department of Chemistry IFM, Interdepartmental Centers G. Scansetti for Studies on Asbestos and other Toxic Particulates and Nanostructured Interfaces and Surfaces (NIS), University of Torino, Torino, Italy. bice.fubini@unito.it
Ghiazza
Mara
M
Fenoglio
Ivana
I
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
D011506:Proteins