Transport of Nanoparticles through the Placental Barrier

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NP) are organic or inorganic substances, the size of which ranges from 1 to 100 nm, and they possess specific properties which are different from those of the bulk materials in the macroscopic scale. In a recent decade, NP were widely applied in biomedicine as potential probes for imaging, drug-delivery systems and regenerative medicine. However, rapid development of nanotechnologies and their applications in clinical research have raised concerns about the adverse effects of NP on human health and environment. In the present review, special attention is paid to the fetal exposure to NP during the period of pregnancy. The ability to control the beneficial effects of NP and to avoid toxicity during treatment requires comprehensive knowledge about the distribution of NP in maternal body and possible penetration through the maternal-fetal barrier that might impair the embryogenesis. The initial in vivo and ex vivo studies imply that NP are able to cross the placental barrier, but the passage to the fetus depends on the size and the surface coating of NP as well as on the experimental model. The toxicity assays indicate that NP might induce adverse physiological effects and impede embryogenesis. The molecular transport mechanisms which are responsible for the transport of nanomaterials across the placental barrier are still poorly understood, and there is a high need for further studies in order to resolve the NP distribution patterns in the organism and to control the beneficial effects of NP applications during pregnancy without impeding the embryogenesis.

Exposure to zinc oxide nanoparticles affects reproductive development and biodistribution in offspring rats

“…Also, it seems likely that transplacental and breastfeeding transport of nano-zinc oxide occurred actively between pregnant mother and pups. The similar possible mechanism by nano-zinc oxide induced adverse effects on the offspring of several species (Nations et al, 2011;Kulvietis et al, 2011;Ma et al, 2013).…”

Mycobacterial L-forms are found in cord blood: A potential vertical transmission of BCG from vaccinated mothers

“…31 Much of the current knowledge about placental barrier comes (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5). Legend: MQ-molecular grate water; NTC -non-template control; MTC-M. tuberculosis H 37 Rv.…”

Delayed adverse effects of neonatal exposure to polymeric nanoparticle poly(ethylene glycol)-block-polylactide methyl ether on hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis development and function in Wistar rats

“…The association between the exposure to ENMs and their adverse effects on reproductive/neuroendocrine development and function is apparent from a number of in vivo and in vitro studies [13][14][15][16][17]. Several NPs can adversely affect female reproductive tract development and function, including cytotoxic effects on ovarian structural cells, impaired oogenesis and follicle maturation, altered normal sex hormone levels, and accelerated the onset of puberty [18][19][20].…”