Are nearly free silanols a unifying structural determinant of silica particle toxicity?

Brinker, C. Jeffrey; Butler, Kimberly S.; Garofalini, Stephen H.

doi:10.1073/pnas.2021078117

Cited by 9 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Recently, nearly free silanols (NFS) on the surface of quartz particles were reported as the critical molecular moieties responsible for the toxicity of silica particles [ 7 ]. High NFS concentrations are associated with increasing hemolytic potential and IL-1 β generation, but the different toxicities of the different classes of amorphous silica particles remain poorly understood [ 8 ].…”

Section: Clear Causes and Unresolved Mechanisms Of Silicosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Early Identification, Accurate Diagnosis, and Treatment of Silicosis

Yang

et al. 2022

Canadian Respiratory Journal

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Silicosis is a global problem, and it has brought about great burdens to society and patients’ families. The etiology of silicosis is clear, preventable, and controllable, but the onset is hidden and the duration is long. Thus, it is difficult to diagnose it early and treat it effectively, leaving workers unaware of the consequences of dust exposure. As such, a lack of details in the work history and a slow progression of lung disease contribute to the deterioration of patients until silicosis has advanced to fibrosis. These issues are the key factors impeding the diagnosis and the treatment of silicosis. This article reviews the literature on the early identification, diagnosis, and treatment of silicosis as well as analyzes the difficulties in the diagnosis and the treatment of silicosis and discusses its direction of future development.

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Section: Clear Causes and Unresolved Mechanisms Of Silicosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Early Identification, Accurate Diagnosis, and Treatment of Silicosis

Yang

et al. 2022

Canadian Respiratory Journal

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“…As noted through studies of red blood cell hemolysis by various amorphous silica materials, silanol groups (Si−OH) and deprotonated silanols (Si−O − ) can interact through hydrogen-bonding and electrostatic interactions, respectively, with cell membrane components causing cell lysis. 46,47 Further, silica has the potential to generate hydroxyl radicals that oxidize and damage lipids. 26 As such, several studies have shown that addition of ameliorants, such as gelatin, glycerol, poly(vinyl alcohol), and lipids, to the silica matrix can significantly improve the long-term viability of immobilized cells.…”

Section: T H Imentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A final biocompatible strategy is to limit the contact of the cell membrane with polar silanol groups of the amorphous silica matrix. As noted through studies of red blood cell hemolysis by various amorphous silica materials, silanol groups (Si–OH) and deprotonated silanols (Si–O – ) can interact through hydrogen-bonding and electrostatic interactions, respectively, with cell membrane components causing cell lysis. , Further, silica has the potential to generate hydroxyl radicals that oxidize and damage lipids . As such, several studies have shown that addition of ameliorants, such as gelatin, glycerol, poly(vinyl alcohol), and lipids, to the silica matrix can significantly improve the long-term viability of immobilized cells. ,,, These ameliorants screen cellular contact with polar silanol groups and siloxanes that disrupt or oxidize and damage membranes, resulting in lysis.…”

Section: Cell-in-silica Matrix: Inter- and Extracellular Silicificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioinspired Cell Silicification: From Extracellular to Intracellular

et al. 2021

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In nature, biosilicification directs the formation of elaborate amorphous silica exoskeletons that provide diatoms mechanically strong, chemically inert, non-decomposable silica armor conferring chemical and thermal stability as well as resistance to microbial attack, without changing the optical transparency or adversely effecting nutrient and waste exchange required for growth. These extraordinary silica/cell biocomposites have inspired decades of biomimetic research aimed at replication of diatoms’ hierarchically organized exoskeletons, immobilization of cells or living organisms within silica matrices and coatings to protect them against harmful external stresses, genetic re-programming of cellular functions by virtue of physico-chemical confinement within silica, cellular integration into devices, and endowment of cells with non-native, abiotic properties through facile silica functionalization. In this Perspective, we focus our discussions on the development and concomitant challenges of bioinspired cell silicification ranging from “cells encapsulated within 3D silica matrices” and “cells encapsulated within 2D silica shells” to extra- and intracellular silica replication, wherein all biomolecular interfaces are encased within nanoscopic layers of amorphous silica. We highlight notable examples of advances in the science and technology of biosilicification and consider challenges to advancing the field, where we propose cellular “mineralization” with arbitrary nanoparticle exoskeletons as a generalizable means to impart limitless abiotic properties and functions to cells, and, based on the interchangeability of water and silicic acid and analogies between amorphous ice and amorphous silica, we consider “freezing” cells within amorphous silica as an alternative to cryo-preservation.

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“…Pavan et al ., in a recent study concerning nanosilica crystallinity, have observed that nearly free silanols can damage cellular membranes and initiate inflammatory reactions . By studying the toxicity induced by nearly free silanols, their concentration and chemical origin should be evaluated . However, noncrystalline silica, composed mainly of an amorphous matrix, possesses a different and more complex toxicity profile.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Zhang et al suggested that the strain of 3MRs enhances the formation of surface • OH radicals via homolytic cleavage of Si–O–Si bonds. Many research teams stated that the silanol groups on the surface determine the surface chemistry and influence the overall ROS production. ,, Additionally, the aggregation size and surface charge are two factors that may facilitate the ROS generation capacity of nanosilica materials. , …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Safe-by-Design Flame Spray Pyrolysis of SiO₂ Nanostructures for Minimizing Acute Toxicity

Fragou

Stathi

Deligiannakis

et al. 2022

ACS Appl. Nano Mater.

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Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation is considered as a critical factor in nanosilica’s cell toxicity. Herein, we present a method for controlling the ROS generation by nanosilica toward designing safer-to-use nanosilica materials with minimal acute toxicity. The present work demonstrates a one-step process to synthesize nanosilica materials with minimal ROS production, using the flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) technology, which is currently used for industrial production of SiO2. We show that controlling the temperature regime of nano-SiO2 synthesis in the FSP process allows passivation of the nanosilica surface and, subsequently, control of the ROS production capacity. In this context, using FSP, we have engineered in situ three types of nanosilica materials produced either under high-temperature combustion (ordinarily fumed SiO2) or low-temperature combustion (rSiO2) as well as their combination in a core–shell configuration (rSiO2@SiO2). Electron paramagnetic resonance and Raman spectroscopies were used to study the correlation between ROS formation and the structure of siloxane rings of the silica network. In parallel, the acute toxicity of the particles was monitored by Microtox (Aliivibrio fischeri). Our data show that the acute toxicity and ROS are both correlated with the FSP temperature regime according to the sequence SiO2 ≫ rSiO2@SiO2 > rSiO2. A comprehensive physicochemical mechanism is discussed, which relates the surface-ring structure of nano-SiO2 with ROS yield and acute toxicity. The present findings and the FSP methodology provide a more general easy-to-apply road map for safe-by-design production of metal oxides for issues related to ROS toxicity.

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Are nearly free silanols a unifying structural determinant of silica particle toxicity?

Cited by 9 publications

References 16 publications

Early Identification, Accurate Diagnosis, and Treatment of Silicosis

Early Identification, Accurate Diagnosis, and Treatment of Silicosis

Bioinspired Cell Silicification: From Extracellular to Intracellular

Safe-by-Design Flame Spray Pyrolysis of SiO₂ Nanostructures for Minimizing Acute Toxicity

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Are nearly free silanols a unifying structural determinant of silica particle toxicity?

Cited by 9 publications

References 16 publications

Early Identification, Accurate Diagnosis, and Treatment of Silicosis

Early Identification, Accurate Diagnosis, and Treatment of Silicosis

Bioinspired Cell Silicification: From Extracellular to Intracellular

Safe-by-Design Flame Spray Pyrolysis of SiO2 Nanostructures for Minimizing Acute Toxicity

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Safe-by-Design Flame Spray Pyrolysis of SiO₂ Nanostructures for Minimizing Acute Toxicity