Biocompatibility of nanomaterials and their immunological properties

Abstract

Nanomaterials (NMs) have revolutionized multiple aspects of medicine by enabling novel sensing, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches. Advancements in processing and fabrication have also allowed significant expansion in the applications of the major classes of NMs based on polymer, metal/metal oxide, carbon, liposome, or multi-scale macro-nano bulk materials. Concomitantly, concerns regarding the nanotoxicity and overall biocompatibility of NMs have been raised. These involve putative negative effects on both patients and those subjected to occupational exposure during manufacturing. In this review, we describe the current state of testing of NMs including those that are in clinical use, in clinical trials, or under development. We also discuss the cellular and molecular interactions that dictate their toxicity and biocompatibility. Specifically, we focus on the reciprocal interactions between NMs and host proteins, lipids, and sugars and how these induce responses in immune and other cell types leading to topical and/or systemic effects.

Influence of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on Human Health and the Environment

“…After injection of TiO 2 NPs, endothelial cells can be disrupted, and they can proliferate and migrate despite the induction of toxicity and immunogenicity. It has been shown that TiO 2 NPs injected into the blood during photothermal cancer therapy enrich the cancer tissue by diffusing, engulfing the cancer cells, and eventually killing them completely [ 47 , 48 , 49 ].…”

“…When it comes to the issue of skin permeation, long-term skin exposure to TiO 2 NPs can be harmful to humans if they overdose, which is almost impossible in everyday life [ 146 ]. Biocompatibility refers to the testing of TiO 2 NPs for cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, immunotoxicity, systemic toxicity, hemocompatibility, pyrogenicity, and implantation, evaluated by ISO, ISO/TR 10993-22:2017 via in vitro and in vivo studies [ 47 ]. The evaluation of the toxicity and biocompatibility of TiO 2 NPs is crucial to understanding the deleterious biological responses of the properties of TiO 2 NPs, their functionalities, and their contact surfaces ( Figure 10 a).…”

Nanoparticle Size Effects in Biomedical Applications

“…When nanoparticles are designed for biomedical applications, the toxicity and biocompatibility of the nanomaterials should be considered carefully. ,− This consideration is especially important because a smaller size can offer an easier option to interact with biological interfaces via an easier migration, mild toxicity issues can lead to adverse biological effects due to excessive exposure, large-scale use of materials could invite environmental pollution, and any human application requires insignificant toxicity. The toxicity of nanoparticles arises primarily for four specific reasons.…”

Nanosafety: An Evolving Concept to Bring the Safest Possible Nanomaterials to Society and Environment

“…As mentioned earlier, the inflammatory response, driven by the innate immune system, plays a major role in nanomaterial-induced toxicity. During the last couple of decades, a wealth of compelling evidence has been gathered to support the idea that immune responses to biomaterials have a great impact on their biological activity and toxicological effects [ 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 ]. Industries are designing more advanced materials, which means that more workers and consumers will be exposed to nanoscale particles, posing a risk of detrimental effects on natural systems and ultimately on humans.…”