We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A Systematic Genotoxicity Assessment of a Suite of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Reveals Their DNA Damaging and Clastogenic Potential
Summary
Researchers systematically tested eight types of metal oxide nanoparticles for their ability to damage DNA in lung cells, finding that solubility in cell culture was a key factor driving toxicity. While this study focuses on metal nanoparticles rather than microplastics, the findings are relevant because microplastics often carry metal oxide particles on their surfaces, potentially delivering these DNA-damaging agents into the body.
Metal oxide nanoparticles (MONP/s) induce DNA damage, which is influenced by their physicochemical properties. In this study, the high-throughput CometChip and micronucleus (MicroFlow) assays were used to investigate DNA and chromosomal damage in mouse lung epithelial cells induced by nano and bulk sizes of zinc oxide, copper oxide, manganese oxide, nickel oxide, aluminum oxide, cerium oxide, titanium dioxide, and iron oxide. Ionic forms of MONPs were also included. The study evaluated the impact of solubility, surface coating, and particle size on response. Correlation analysis showed that solubility in the cell culture medium was positively associated with response in both assays, with the nano form showing the same or higher response than larger particles. A subtle reduction in DNA damage response was observed post-exposure to some surface-coated MONPs. The observed difference in genotoxicity highlighted the mechanistic differences in the MONP-induced response, possibly influenced by both particle stability and chemical composition. The results highlight that combinations of properties influence response to MONPs and that solubility alone, while playing an important role, is not enough to explain the observed toxicity. The results have implications on the potential application of read-across strategies in support of human health risk assessment of MONPs.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Genotoxicity and Genomic Instability Induced by Micro- and Nanoplastics: A Comprehensive Multi-Taxa Mechanistic Review.
This review of existing research found that tiny plastic particles (microplastics and nanoplastics) can damage DNA in many different living things, from fish to human cells. The plastic particles cause this damage by creating harmful molecules called free radicals, disrupting the body's ability to repair DNA, and triggering inflammation. These findings suggest that the growing amount of plastic pollution in our environment could pose serious health risks to humans and wildlife.
Nanoparticles: Weighing the Pros and Cons from an Eco-genotoxicological Perspective
This review assessed the eco-genotoxicological risks of nanoparticles including nanoplastics and metal oxide nanoparticles, examining their DNA-damaging potential across organisms from bacteria to mammals and finding that surface chemistry and dissolution behavior are the primary determinants of genotoxicity, with implications for environmental risk assessment frameworks.
Evidence-based meta-analysis of the genotoxicity induced by microplastics in aquatic organisms at environmentally relevant concentrations
Microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations (≤1 mg/L) significantly increased DNA damage in aquatic organisms by 20-81% across multiple genotoxic endpoints, with effects correlated to particle size, living habitat, and species but independent of exposure concentration or duration.
Toxicity of metal-based nanoparticles: Challenges in the nano era
This review covers the toxic effects of metal-based nanoparticles on human health, including how they cause oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and organ dysfunction. While focused on engineered nanoparticles rather than microplastics directly, the toxicity pathways described overlap significantly with those triggered by nanoplastic exposure. Understanding these shared mechanisms helps explain how nano-scale particles of any kind, including nanoplastics, may harm the body.
Important Factors Affecting Induction of Cell Death, Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage by Nano- and Microplastic Particles In Vitro
This review examines what makes tiny plastic particles more or less toxic to cells, finding that smaller particles, longer exposure times, higher concentrations, and positive electrical charges all increase harm. Importantly, the study shows that nanoplastics can penetrate cells, generate damaging molecules called reactive oxygen species, and cause DNA damage, with normal cells being more vulnerable than cancer cells.