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Review
. 2010 May;7(2):138-41.
doi: 10.1513/pats.200907-061RM.

Nanoparticles as a potential cause of pleural and interstitial lung disease

James C Bonner  1
Affiliations
Review

Nanoparticles as a potential cause of pleural and interstitial lung disease

James C Bonner. Proc Am Thorac Soc. 2010 May.

Abstract

Nanotechnology holds the promise of revolutionizing our society, bringing numerous beneficial innovations to improve structural materials, electronics, energy, medical imaging, and drug delivery, among other applications. However, nanomaterials present potential safety concerns, and there is accumulating evidence to suggest that nanoparticles may exert adverse effects on the lung and other organ systems. This article will overview the potential risks of engineered nanoparticles and nanotechnology on the respiratory system and highlight recent findings related to pulmonary and systemic effects of inhaled nanoparticles. Special emphasis will be given to carbon nanotubes and the possibility that these nanoparticles could represent an emerging risk for environmental and occupational lung disease, especially in individuals with pre-existing respiratory diseases such as asthma.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Biologic endpoints that should be evaluated to determine the potential of nanomaterials to cause disease in mice after inhalation to mimic occupational or environmental exposures or by nebulization routes to mimic drug delivery scenarios.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Timeline of selected reports in the literature that indicate toxic effects of carbon nanotubes in mice or rats. Superscripted numbers indicate references for published studies that support these observations.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Transmission electron micrograph showing deposition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) on the surface of the alveolar epithelium in C57BL6 mice 24 hours after a single 6-hour exposure to 30 mg/m3 MWCNT. Arrows indicate aggregates of MWCNT. Right-hand panel is a high-magnification image of one of these aggregates.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Transmission electron micrograph showing MWCNT within an alveolar macrophage in the lung of a C57BL6 mouse 24 hours after a single 6-hour exposure to 30 mg/m3 MWCNT. Arrows indicate aggregates of MWCNT. Right-hand panel is a high-magnification image of one of these aggregates.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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