Jan 22 2009
In a report published by DEFRA this week, the Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, together with a team of multi-disciplinary experts presents an informed commentary and research agenda toward elucidating the importance of translocation in nanoparticle toxicology.
One of the major concerns regarding the possible toxic effects of nanoparticles is the capacity of these materials to penetrate cells and potentially translocated to other cells, tissues and organs remote from the portal of entry to the body.
In a report published by DEFRA this week, the Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, together with a team of multi-disciplinary experts presents an informed commentary and research agenda toward elucidating the importance of translocation in nanoparticle toxicology.
The project focussed on several key target sites of concern for particle translocation, namely; 1) pulmonary interstitium; 2) other lung cells; 3) blood; 4) blood vessel wall; 5) placenta/foetus; and 6) brain
Project outcomes highlight knowledge to date, research gaps, and outline a set of cross-cutting themes for future cell penetration studies, and a list of targeted recommendations for specific aspects of future translocation and penetration studies. Amongst these, are cross-cutting themes to be considered for future cell penetration/translocation studies, and targeted research priorities for both Mechanistic Toxicology Research (in vitro, in vivo & in silico); and Hazard Generation & Risk Assessment.
"Enhancing our knowledge of the physico-chemical properties which influence the efficacious, benign or toxic interaction between nanomaterials and cells will help inform our understanding of experimental observations and the design of engineered nanomaterials intended for particular applications" said Dr Steve Hankin, Senior Consultant at IOM & lead author of the report.
The consortium behind the report was formed from members of SnIRC (the Safety of Nanoparticles Interdisciplinary Research Centre) - including IOM, Edinburgh University, Napier University Edinburgh & Central Science Laboratories, York. In preparation of the report, opinion was also sought from a variety of leading experts across a range of stakeholder groups, from both within the UK and throughout Europe.
SM Hankin, CL Tran, B Ross, K Donaldson, V Stone, Q Chaudhry, 2008, ‘CELL PEN: A Study to identify the physico-chemical factors controlling the capacity of nanoparticles to penetrate cells; Report on DEFRA project CB0407 is free to download. To access it please click here: http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=CB0407_7763_FRP.pdf (pdf, 514KB).