Abstract
Like two sides of the same coin, nanotechnology can be both boon and bane for respiratory medicine. Nanomaterials open new ways in diagnostics and treatment of lung diseases. Nanoparticle based drug delivery systems can help against diseases such as lung cancer, tuberculosis, and pulmonary fibrosis. Moreover, nanoparticles can be loaded with DNA and act as vectors for gene therapy in diseases like cystic fibrosis. Even lung diagnostics with computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) profits from new nanoparticle based contrast agents. However, the risks of nanotechnology also have to be taken into consideration as engineered nanomaterials resemble natural fine dusts and fibers, which are known to be harmful for the respiratory system in many cases. Recent studies have shown that nanoparticles in the respiratory tract can influence the immune system, can create oxidative stress and even cause genotoxicity. Another important aspect to assess the safety of nanotechnology based products is the absorption of nanoparticles. It was demonstrated that the amount of pulmonary nanoparticle uptake not only depends on physical and chemical nanoparticle characteristics but also on the health status of the organism. The huge diversity in nanotechnology could revolutionize medicine but makes safety assessment a challenging task.
Highlights
Over the past years nanomaterials have found their way into more and more areas of life
In contrast to nanoparticles, which have to measure between 1 and 100 nm in all dimensions, nanomaterials may consist of elements bigger than 100 nm but need to be structured in the nanoscale and exhibit characteristic features associated with their nanostructure [1]
Li et al induced pulmonary injury in mice by daily intranasal instillation of suspended 294 nm TiO2 nanoparticles for 90 days, demonstrating that the rate of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation increased with increasing TiO2 doses
Summary
Over the past years nanomaterials have found their way into more and more areas of life. As nanotechnology usage in consumer products, cosmetics, and medicine is continuously increasing, it is pivotal to understand potentially adverse effects of nanomaterials on the respiratory system. DNA loaded polyethylenimine nanoparticles were used in order to treat lipopolysaccharide induced acute lung injury in mice.
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