Mechanisms and Assessment of Genotoxicity of Metallic Engineered Nanomaterials in the Human Environment

Authors

Benjamin M. Liu, Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
A Wallace Hayes, Center for Environmental/Occupational Risk Analysis & Management, University of South Florida College of Public Health, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

10-20-2024

Journal

Biomedicines

Volume

12

Issue

10

DOI

10.3390/biomedicines12102401

Keywords

DNA damage; assessment; engineered nanomaterials; genotoxicity; guidance; mechanisms; metallic

Abstract

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have a broad array of applications in agriculture, engineering, manufacturing, and medicine. Decades of toxicology research have demonstrated that ENMs can cause genotoxic effects on bacteria, mammalian cells, and animals. Some metallic ENMs (MENMs), e.g., metal or metal oxide nanoparticles TiO and CuO, induce genotoxicity via direct DNA damage and/or reactive oxygen species-mediated indirect DNA damage. There are various physical features of MENMs that may play an important role in promoting their genotoxicity, for example, size and chemical composition. For a valid genotoxicity assessment of MENMs, general considerations should be given to various factors, including, but not limited to, NM characterization, sample preparation, dosing selection, NM cellular uptake, and metabolic activation. The recommended in vitro genotoxicity assays of MENMs include hprt gene mutation assay, chromosomal aberration assay, and micronucleus assay. However, there are still knowledge gaps in understanding the mechanisms underlying the genotoxicity of MENMs. There are also a variety of challenges in the utilization and interpretation of the genotoxicity assessment assays of MENMs. In this review article, we provide mechanistic insights into the genotoxicity of MENMs in the human environment. We review advances in applying new endpoints, biomarkers, and methods to the genotoxicity assessments of MENMs. The guidance of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union on the genotoxicity assessments of MENMs is also discussed.

APA Citation

Liu, Benjamin M. and Hayes, A Wallace, "Mechanisms and Assessment of Genotoxicity of Metallic Engineered Nanomaterials in the Human Environment" (2024). GW Authored Works. Paper 5800.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/5800

Department

Pathology