European Commission University of Modena and Reggio Emilia LABORATORY OF BIOMATERIALS Nanotoxicity and health risk related to managing nanoparticles the European experience of Nanopathology by Antonietta M. Gatti 1
is the branch of learning that deals with how the organism reacts to the presence of micro- and nano-particles Impact of nanoparticles on the human health CHEMISTRY ORGANIC & INORGANIC CHEMISTRY BIOCHEMISTRY MICRO- & NANO- TECHNOLOGIES MATERIALS SCIENCE BIO-ORGANIC & BIO-INORGANIC CHEMISTRY SUPRAMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY PHYSICO- CHEMISTRY MOLECULAR BIOLOGY MICROBIOLOGY BIOENGINEERING BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCED MATERIALS Nanocluster, Nanoparticles, Nanowires, Nanostructured surfaces TAILORED & FUNCTIONALIZED BIOMATERIALS Biosensors, Biochip, Drug Delivery, DNA array 2
Mechanisms of entrance of nanoparticles into the human body Respiratory system Blood circulation Mechanisms of entrance of nanoparticles Polluted food Digestive system Lymph circulation Size <20µm 3
Nanoparticles of a Lead compound in lung. The patient was affected by a multiorgan granulomatosis 20 E A.U. 10 µm kv 120 TS b Nanoparticles of iron in a pulmonary mesothelioma 2 µm 10 µm 4
A.U. Lung biopsy with cluster of Titanium- Sulphur-Silicon nanoparticles in a soldier affected by Gulf War Syndrome 112 GW 5 µm kv DC 3 Cancerogenic tissue of the colon with aggregates of nanoparticles of Silver-Magnesium A.U. kv 5
Nanoparticles of Gold in a liver granuloma. The patient was treated with colloidal gold particles for knee arthrosis RF 4 10 µm Nanodebris in Liver: the liver affected by cancer Cancer 55 MZ 20 µm 10 µm 6
Nanoparticles of Mercury-Selenium found in the biopsy of the kidney of a soldier affected by Gulf War Syndrome A.U. 112 GW 20 µm kv Barium-sulphate nanoparticles found inside a thrombus V 45 V 10 µm V 35 A 10 µm 7
Section of a lymph node in a civilian of Sarajevo affected by Hodgkin Disease (FEG-Quanta) 175 BH 5 µm ESEM image of sperm with a foreign body spermatozoon Particle of Lead 8
Sperm of a dead soldier who served in Balkans, with a cluster of Lead nanoparticles 227 GW 10 µm Neu-Laxova syndrome Neu-Laxova syndrome is a rare congenital abnormality characterised by intrauterine growth restriction, microcephaly, facial dysmorphy, short neck, edema, scaly skin and perinatal death. Additional features such as spina bifida, cryptorchidism and shallow orbital cavities have been reported. Chromosomal analysis in reported cases has revealed a normal karyotype and an autosomal recessive inheritance has been postulated. 9
Liver 111 MA Liver 111 MA 10
Malformed lamb from a fireground in Sardinia Sheep s abort Brain Liver Testicle 11
New environmental pollution I cannot avoid this nanopollution, but I can protect myself in the lab Factors influencing the pathogenicity of microand nanoparticles PHYSICAL Foreign body Size Shape Surface area Concentration Intake velocity Radioactivity CHEMICAL Composition BIOLOGICAL Corrodibility Organ (cell) involved Speciation Health condition Individual variability 12
Can nanoparticles have a pathological meaning for the human health? Evidence says: YES Are the normal cell defence reactions still valid? Evidence says: NO What is the possible pathomechanism????? Pollution due to: 1. Traffic 2. Incineration, cement plant 3. DU weapon explosions Can also create nanosized debris 13
What is the cell reaction to a discrete, non continous stimulus? Discrete stimulus Scheme of the cell membrane What is the interaction of a nano with : Proteins Bacteria viral membrane protein (Staffiloccoccal protein A) 14
Nobel Laureate Richard Smalley 1996 for the synthesis of fullerenes Dead 31 st October 2005. In laboratory the exposure to nano can (and must) be avoided That is the basic knowledge for a Bio-economy and for the development of nanosensors, nanofilters and tools for the protection from nano already dispersed in the environment. but non biocompatible and non biodegradable nanoparticles represent a potential risk for life, so any inhalation, ingestion or injection must be avoided. 15
Thank you Memento quia pulvis es et in pulverem reverteris 16