No abstract

This study aims to investigate the potential nanotoxic effects of TiO2 nanoparticles (TNPs) to dams and pups during lactation period. TiO2 nanoparticles are accumulated in mammary glands of lactating mice after i.v. administration. This accumulation of TiO2 NP likely causes a ROS-induced disruption of tight junction of the blood-milk barrier as indicated by the loss of tight junction proteins and the shedding of alveolar epithelial cells. Compared to larger TNPs (50 nm), smaller ones (8 nm) exhibit a higher accumulation in mammary glands and are more potent in causing perturbations to blood-milk barrier. An alarming finding is that the smaller TNPs (8 nm) are transferred from dams to pups through breastfeeding, likely through the disrupted blood-milk barrier. However, during the lactation period, the nutrient quality of milk from dams and the early developmental landmarks of the pups are not affected by above perturbations.

Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) may cause toxicity if they cross various biological barriers and are accumulated in vital organs. Which factors affect barrier crossing efficiency of ENPs are crucial to understand. Here, we present strong data showing that various nanoparticles crossed biological barriers to enter vital animal organs and cause toxicity. We also point out that physicochemical properties of ENPs, modifications of ENPs in biofluid, and physiological and pathological conditions of the body all affect barrier crossing efficiency. We also summarized our limited understanding of the related mechanisms. On the basis of this summary, major research gaps and direction of further efforts are then discussed. ■ CONTENTS1. Introduction 1055 2. ENPs Crossed Biological Barriers 1055 3. Factors Affect the Barrier Crossing Efficiency of ENPs 1057 3.1. Properties of ENPs Determine the Interactions between ENPs and Biological Barriers 1057 3.2. Effects of Secondary Modifications of ENPs by Biofluid 1057 3.3. Effects of Physiological and Pathological Conditions of the Body 1057 4.

No abstract

In recent years, the number of patients diagnosed with cancer has been soaring. Therefore, the design, development, and implementation of new approaches for the diagnosis and therapy of different types...