Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
•
Surface chemistry, charge, and area
•
Stability over time and dissolution
•
Dosing metric
•
Cellular binding and uptake
•
Biopersistance solubility
•
Surface coatings
•
Material composition
In principle, a large number of particles could overload the body's phagocytes, thereby triggering
stress reactions that can lead to inflammation and weaken the body's defense against other patho-
gens. In addition to questions about what happens if non- or slowly degradable nanoparticles accu-
mulate in body organs, another concern is their potential interaction or interference with biological
processes inside the body. Due to the importance of this class of particles, the term nanotoxicology
has been coined to establish the relationship between nanoparticle physicochemical properties (e.g.,
size, surface properties, and crystal phase) and their toxic potential. It is the biokinetic evaluation of
engineered nanostructures and nanodevices (Oberdörster et al. 2005; Garnett and Kallinteri 2006).
Due to an intensive expansion in nanotechnology, there is a need for detailed investigations in this
area as has been widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, medicine, and engineering technol-
ogy in the last two decades (Curtis et al. 2006; Kurath and Maasen 2006). Particle toxicologies
and the consequent adverse health effects of asbestos fibers, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), coal dust,
and many others, serve as a historical reference point for the development of nanotoxicologic con-
cepts (Oberdörster et al. 2005; Kurath and Maasen 2006). Figure 3.4 shows multidimensional issues
affecting nanotoxicity.
The physicochemical properties of nanoparticles must be examined in detail to create design
rules and to begin interpreting any results due to nanoparticle-induced toxicity. Because the field of
Industry
Academy
Government
Regulatory bodies
Regulatory
issue
Ta rget of
nanocarriers
system
Physicochemical
determinants
Clearance
Oxidative
stress
Biodistribution
Molecular
determinants
Biopersistence
Opsonization
Nanotoxicity
Inflammation
Routes of
exposure
Genotoxicity
FIGURE 3.4
(
See color insert.
) Multidimensional issues affecting nanotoxicity.
