Nanoparticular surface-bound PCBs, PCDDs, and PCDFs-a novel class of potentially higher toxic POPs

In a previous study, Env Sci Poll Res:1-7, 2015 showed that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzo furanes (PCDFs) are found in commercially available (nano) particular titanium dioxide as a result of the fabrication. Here, we give a brief perspective and reason the toxicity of these new classes of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by reviewing also their nanoparticular properties, such as surface-to-volume ratio, photocatalytic activity, polarity shifts, and stealth effect. These insights point towards a new class of POPs and toxicologic effects, which are related to the size but not a result of nanotechnology itself. We pave the way to the understanding of until now unresolved very complex phenomena, such as the indoor exposure, formation, and transformation of POP and sick-building syndrome. This is a fundamental message for nanotoxicology and kinetics and should be taken into account when determining the toxicity of nanomaterials and POPs separately and as a combination

Toxicity assessment of air-delivered particle-bound polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Human exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) can occur via ingestion of indoor dust, inhalation of PBDE-contaminated air and dust-bound PBDEs. However, few studies have examined the pulmonary toxicity of particle-bound PBDEs, mainly due to the lack of an appropriate particle-cell exposure system. In this study we developed an in vitro exposure system capable of generating particle-bound PBDEs mimicking dusts containing PBDE congeners (PBDEs 35, 47 and 99) and delivering them directly onto lung cells grown at an air–liquid interface (ALI). The silica particles and particles-coated with PBDEs ranged in diameter from 4.3 to 4.5 μm and were delivered to cells with no apparent aggregation. This experimental set up demonstrated high reproducibility and sensitivity for dosing control and distribution of particles. All exposure of cells to PBDE-bound particles significantly decreased cell viability and induced reactive oxygen species generation in A549 and NCI-H358 cells. In male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed via intratracheal insufflation (0.6 mg/rat), particle-bound PBDE exposures induced inflammatory responses with increased recruitment of neutrophils to the lungs compared to sham-exposed rats. The present study clearly indicates the potential of our exposure system for studying the toxicity of particle-bound compounds. Abstract of the paper published by Elsevier. The whole paper can be obtained via:  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300483X14000067# &nbsp

Polyoxometalate Nanoparticles as a Potential Glioblastoma Therapeutic via Lipid-Mediated Cell Death

Polyoxometalate nanoparticles (POMs) are a class of compounds made up of multiple transition metals linked together using oxygen atoms. POMs commonly include group 6 transition metals, with two of the most common forms using molybdenum and tungsten. POMs are suggested to exhibit antimicrobial effects. In this study, we developed two POM preparations to study anti-cancer activity. We found that Mo-POM (NH4)Mo7O24) and W-POM (H3PW12O40) have anti-cancer effects on glioblastoma cells. Both POMs induced morphological changes marked by membrane swelling and the presence of multinucleated cells that may indicate apoptosis induction along with impaired cell division. We also observed significant increases in lipid oxidation events, suggesting that POMs are redox-active and can catalyze detrimental oxidation events in glioblastoma cells. Here, we present preliminary indications that molybdenum polyoxometalate nanoparticles may act like ferrous iron to catalyze the oxidation of phospholipids. These preliminary results suggest that Mo-POMs (NH4)Mo7O24) and W-POMs (H3PW12O40) may warrant further investigation into their utility as adjunct cancer therapies