Metal Oxide Nanoparticles as Versatile Therapeutic Agents Modulating Cell Signaling Pathways: Linking Nanotechnology with Molecular Medicine

Abstract

Nanoparticles exhibit properties different from their bulk counterparts and the unique properties make them highly appealing for wide variety of biomedical applications. Inorganic nanoparticles have attracted much interest in biology and medicine and particularly metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs) have become versatile platforms for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. MONPs are well studied for their ability to induce the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by cells in the presence and absence of irradiation under a wide range of conditions. ROS have been reported to trigger different pathological events due to oxidative stress including genotoxicity and fibrosis. Despite these adverse effects, recent reports on the effects of ROS have highlighted that MONPs are cytotoxic only at high concentrations and that at lower ones, they could play key roles in cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and the immune system. In addition to their proven beneficial role in wound healing, MONPs have been increasingly investigated in areas such as cell signaling and tissue engineering. First, this review comprehensively overviews the therapeutic potential of MONPs mediated by the generation of ROS. Then, it deals with their application in tissue engineering, wound healing, and cancer therapy with emphasis on the biomolecular signaling mechanisms. Finally, controversial aspects of these nanomaterials that emerge from the most recent scientific literature are discussed.