We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The ancillary effects of nanoparticles and their implications for nanomedicine
Summary
Researchers reviewed 'ancillary effects' — the unintended biological interactions between nanoparticles and living systems that occur independent of engineered targeting or therapeutic functions — cataloguing how nanomaterial surface properties can modulate cell signaling, immune responses, and toxicity in ways that have major implications for nanomedicine safety and design.
Nanoparticles are often engineered as a scaffolding system to combine targeting, imaging and/or therapeutic moieties into a unitary agent. However, mostly overlooked, the nanomaterial itself interacts with biological systems exclusive of application-specific particle functionalization. This nanoparticle biointerface has been found to elicit specific biological effects, which we term 'ancillary effects'. In this Review, we describe the current state of knowledge of nanobiology gleaned from existing studies of ancillary effects with the objectives to describe the potential of nanoparticles to modulate biological effects independently of any engineered function; evaluate how these effects might be relevant for nanomedicine design and functional considerations, particularly how they might be useful to inform clinical decision-making; identify potential clinical harm that arises from adverse nanoparticle interactions with biology; and, finally, highlight the current lack of knowledge in this area as both a barrier and an incentive to the further development of nanomedicine.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
An updated overview of some factors that influence the biological effects of nanoparticles
This review provides an updated look at how the size, shape, chemical composition, and surface properties of nanoparticles influence their biological effects when they enter the body. Researchers summarize how these physical characteristics determine how nanoparticles interact with proteins, cell receptors, and other biological molecules. The study highlights the importance of understanding these factors for both the safe design of medical nanoparticles and for assessing environmental nanoparticle risks.
Structural parameters of nanoparticles affecting their toxicity for biomedical applications: a review
Researchers reviewed how the physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles — including size, shape, surface charge, and material type — influence their toxicity in living cells and tissues, with relevance to both medical applications and environmental exposures like nanoplastics. Smaller particles are generally more toxic because they have greater surface area and can more easily penetrate cell membranes and trigger oxidative stress.
An Overview of Nanoparticle Properties and Their Bioactivity
This systematic review summarized the properties and bioactivity of nanoparticles (1-100 nm), covering how their size, shape, and surface characteristics influence their behavior in biological systems and their potential applications in microbiology.
The effect of nanomaterials on the innate immune system: therapeutic opportunities and immunological risks
This overview summarizes how nanomaterials — including nanoplastics — interact with the innate immune system, covering both therapeutic potential in drug delivery and diagnostic applications and the immunological risks of unintended nanomaterial exposure.
A double‐edged sword: The complex interplay between engineered nanoparticles and platelets
This review explores how engineered nanoparticles interact with platelets in the bloodstream, which can lead to either beneficial or harmful effects. Researchers found that depending on their size, shape, and surface properties, nanoparticles can activate or inhibit platelet function. The study suggests that understanding these interactions is critical for the safe development of nanomedicine drug delivery systems.