title: Mechanisms of nanotoxicity: generation of reactive oxygen species.
abstract: Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing field in the 21(st) century, and the commercial use of nanomaterials for novel applications is increasing exponentially. To date, the scientific basis for the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of most manufactured nanomaterials are not understood. The mechanisms underlying the toxicity of nanomaterials have recently been studied intensively. An important mechanism of nanotoxicity is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Overproduction of ROS can induce oxidative stress, resulting in cells failing to maintain normal physiological redox-regulated functions. This in turn leads to DNA damage, unregulated cell signaling, change in cell motility, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and cancer initiation. There are critical determinants that can affect the generation of ROS. These critical determinants, discussed briefly here, include: size, shape, particle surface, surface positive charges, surface-containing groups, particle dissolution, metal ion release from nanometals and nanometal oxides, UV light activation, aggregation, mode of interaction with cells, inflammation, and pH of the medium.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA. Electronic address: peter.fu@fda.hhs.gov.
authors.forename: Peter P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA.
authors.forename: Qingsu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA.
authors.forename: Huey-Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA.
authors.forename: Paresh C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA.
authors.forename: Hongtao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage; D006801:Humans; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000633:toxicity*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species
keywords: Lipid peroxidation; Nanotoxicology; Reactive oxygen species