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Document ID (ISN)109690
CIS number 09-621
ISSN - Serial title 0829-0369 - Travail et santé
Year 2009
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Noël A., Truchon G.
Title In vitro pulmonary toxicity induced by ultrafine particles: Literature review and summary of potential mechanisms
Original title Mécanismes de toxicité pulmonaire in vitro des particules ultrafines: synthèse et revue de la littérature [in French]
Bibliographic information Mar. 2009, Vol.25, No.1, p.25-31. Illus. 3 ref.
Abstract This literature survey summarizes the various assumptions that exist regarding the mechanisms of in vitro pulmonary toxicity induced by ultrafine particles (UFP). Fifty-odd articles from the years 1988 to 2007 were selected. The analysis of physical and chemical characteristics that are distinctive to the UFP allowed the identification of decisive properties playing a key role in the pulmonary toxicodynamics of these particles, when compared to their fine counterpart. The crucial properties of UFP for in vitro pulmonary toxicity seem to be particle size, surface morphology and chemical composition. Hence, an interaction follows between the UFP and biological materials that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intracellular oxidative stress. These have an impact on macrophages cytoskeleton generating a malfunctioning cell, on organelles, such as mitochondria, the heart of intracellular redox activity and on calcium intracellular concentrations, a key component of signalling leading to inflammation. All these effects are the basis of in vitro studies dealing with the mechanistic paradigm of oxidative stress and inflammation. Overall, literature data indicate that the UFP may act on different target cells to generate the production of ROS. Taken together, these results show that the summation of UFP interactions with the cell causes substantial oxidative stress, playing a key role in the pulmonary toxicity induced by the UFP.
Descriptors (primary) toxic effects; lung; nanotechnology; in vitro experiments; toxicology; respirable dust; particle size; nanoparticles
Descriptors (secondary) literature survey; lung tissue reaction; oxidation; cell culture; macrophages
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceFrance
Subject(s) Toxic and dangerous substances
Broad subject area(s) New technologies
Browse category(ies) Nanotechnology and nanoparticles