Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 7.3
Summary of Potential Mechanism of Nanotoxicity Based on Different Nanomaterial
Possible Mechanisms/Routes of
Toxicity
Nanomaterials
Suggested Mitigation Strategies
Organic Nanomaterials
MWCNT and SWCNT [42-44]
Frustrated phagocytosis: cell wall
disruption and enzymes release,
generation of ROS, and inflammation
due to aggregation of CNT
Surface functionalization with
antioxidants, complete purification to
eliminate residual metal ions; coating
with polymer matrix to prevent release
of toxic metal ions; surface
functionalization.
Fullerenes
Generation of ROS and resulting
oxidative stress
Modulation of cationic charge density
and increasing specific cellular
interaction through functionalization
with appropriate receptors
Cationic polymer nanospheres
and dendrimers [45-47]
Endosomal cellular uptake
Metals
Gold nanoparticles [48]
Denaturing of protein
Coating of nanoparticles with
amphipathic agents to modulate charge,
size, dispersion and hydrophobicity
Silver nanoparticles [49]
Generation of ROS, Alteration of transport
through membrane
Capping agents to prevent release
of Ag+ ions
Metals Oxides
TiO
2
[50,51]
Oxidative stress due to generation of
ROS and photoactivity; cell death and
fibrillation due to interference in
macrophage cell membrane functions
Capping NMs with; coating with
anti-oxidants (ascorbate, glutathione,
alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E)), enzymatic
scavengers of activated oxygen such as
superoxide dismutase, surfactants,
polymers or complexing ligands
ZnO [52]
High dissolution of ZnO nanoparticles
under physiological condition and
release of toxic cations
Al
2
O
3
[42,53]
Induce proinflammatory response
SiO
2
[54-56]
Protein denaturation; oxidative stress due
to ROS generation
Control of redox properties
CeO
2
[52]
Inducing protein aggregation
Surface passivation
Other Nanoparticles
Co/Ni ferrite Nanoparticles,
magnetic metallic
nanoparticles [57]
Low cell viability due to the release of
toxic cations
Encapsulation with polymer, Capping
with phosphonic and hydroxamic
acids; positively charged
tetraheptylammonium (for Ni
nanoparticles)
CdSe [58]
High cell mortality due to easy
dissolution and release of ions
Source:
Adapted from P. Somasundaran et al.,
KONA Powder and Particle Journal
, 28, 2010, 38-49. With permission.
