Climate change, increasing populations, competing demands on land for production of biofuels and declining soil quality are challenging global food security. Finding sustainable solutions requires ...bold new approaches and integration of knowledge from diverse fields, such as materials science and informatics. The convergence of precision agriculture, in which farmers respond in real time to changes in crop growth with nanotechnology and artificial intelligence, offers exciting opportunities for sustainable food production. Coupling existing models for nutrient cycling and crop productivity with nanoinformatics approaches to optimize targeting, uptake, delivery, nutrient capture and long-term impacts on soil microbial communities will enable design of nanoscale agrochemicals that combine optimal safety and functionality profiles.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ
The adsorption of biomolecules to the surface of engineered nanomaterials, known as corona formation, defines their biological identity by altering their surface properties and transforming the ...physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the particles. In the first decade since the term protein corona was coined, studies have focused primarily on biomedical applications and human toxicity. The relevance of the environmental dimensions of the protein corona is still emerging. Often referred to as the eco-corona, a biomolecular coating forms upon nanomaterials as they enter the environment and may include proteins, as well as a diverse array of other biomolecules such as metabolites from cellular activity and/or natural organic matter. Proteins remain central in studies of eco-coronas because of the ease of monitoring and structurally characterizing proteins, as well as their crucial role in receptor engagement and signalling. The proteins within the eco-corona are optimal targets to establish the biophysicochemical principles of corona formation and transformation, as well as downstream impacts on nanomaterial uptake, distribution and impacts on the environment. Moreover, proteins appear to impart a biological identity, leading to cellular or organismal recognition of nanomaterials, a unique characteristic compared with natural organic matter. We contrast insights into protein corona formation from clinical samples with those in environmentally relevant systems. Principles specific to the environment are also explored to gain insights into the dynamics of interaction with or replacement by other biomolecules, including changes during trophic transfer and ecotoxicity. With many challenges remaining, we also highlight key opportunities for method development and impactful systems on which to focus the next phase of eco-corona studies. By interrogating these environmental dimensions of the protein corona, we offer a perspective on how mechanistic insights into protein coronas in the environment can lead to more sustainable, environmentally safe nanomaterials, as well as enhancing the efficacy of nanomaterials used in remediation and in the agri-food sector.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ
In aquatic environments, a large number of ecological macromolecules (e.g., natural organic matter (NOM), extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and proteins) can adsorb onto the surface of ...engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) to form a unique environmental corona. The presence of environmental corona as an eco–nano interface can significantly alter the bioavailability, biocompatibility, and toxicity of pristine ENMs to aquatic organisms. However, as an emerging field, research on the impact of the environmental corona on the fate and behavior of ENMs in aquatic environments is still in its infancy. To promote a deeper understanding of its importance in driving or moderating ENM toxicity, this study systemically recapitulates the literature of representative types of macromolecules that are adsorbed onto ENMs; these constitute the environmental corona, including NOM, EPS, proteins, and surfactants. Next, the ecotoxicological effects of environmental corona‐coated ENMs on representative aquatic organisms at different trophic levels are discussed in comparison to pristine ENMs, based on the reported studies. According to this analysis, molecular mechanisms triggered by pristine and environmental corona‐coated ENMs are compared, including membrane adhesion, membrane damage, cellular internalization, oxidative stress, immunotoxicity, genotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. Finally, current knowledge gaps and challenges in this field are discussed from the ecotoxicology perspective.
The formation of environmental coronas (e.g., natural organic matter (NOM), extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), protein, and surfactant) on the surface of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) will alter their inherent physicochemical properties and environmental behaviors in aquatic environments. Consequently, environmental coronas can mediate the interactions between ENMs and aquatic organisms at different trophic levels, and influence their ecotoxicological effects via manifold mechanisms.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Mahmoudi et al examine examine the pros and cons of protein-nanoparticle interactions. Biomedical applications can be enhanced through understanding these interactions.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
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•Mismatch between field and laboratory studies in plastic types and end-points assessed.•Fibres are most prevalent in field studies while particles dominate laboratory studies.•There ...is a requirement to shift towards a harmonised approach to effects testing.•Sampling standards and parameter selection are suggested for field and laboratory studies.•Principal toxicity endpoints recommended for main trophic levels to aid data integration.
Current understanding of nano- and microplastic movement, propagation and potential effects on biota in freshwater environments is developing rapidly. Still, there are significant disconnects in the integration of knowledge derived from laboratory and field studies. This review synthesises the current understanding of nano- and microplastic impacts on freshwater biota from field studies and combines it with the more mechanistic insights derived from laboratory studies. Several discrepancies between the field and laboratory studies, impacting progress in process understanding, were identified including that the most prevalent plastic morphologies found in the field (fibres) are not those used in most of the laboratory studies (particles). Solutions to overcome these disparities are proposed to aid comparability of future studies. For example, environmental sampling and separation of biota into its constituents is encouraged when conducting field studies to map microplastic uptake preferences. In laboratory studies, recommendations include performing toxicity studies to systematically test possible factors affecting toxicity of nano- and microplastics, including morphology, chemical makeup (e.g., additives) and effects of plastic size. Consideration should be given to environmentally relevant exposure factors in laboratory studies, such as realistic exposure medium and effects of plastic ageing. Furthermore, based on this comprehensive review recommendations of principal toxicity endpoints for each of the main trophic levels (microbes, primary producers, primary consumers and secondary consumers) that should be reported to make toxicity studies more comparable in the future are given.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The importance of the protein corona formed around nanoparticles upon entering a biological fluid has recently been highlighted. This corona is, when sufficiently long-lived, thought to govern the ...particles’ biological fate. However, even this long-lived “hard” corona evolves and re-equilibrates as particles pass from one biological fluid to another, and may be an important feature for long-term fate. Here we show the evolution of the protein corona as a result of transfer of nanoparticles from one biological fluid (plasma) into another (cytosolic fluid), a simple illustrative model for the uptake of nanoparticles into cells. While no direct comparison can be made to what would happen in, for example, the uptake pathway, the results confirm that significant evolution of the corona occurs in the second biological solution, but that the final corona contains a “fingerprint” of its history. This could be evolved to map the transport pathways utilized by nanoparticles, and eventually to predict nanoparticle fate and behavior.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Analytical limitations considerably hinder our understanding of the impacts of the physicochemical properties of nanomaterials (NMs) on their biological fate in organisms. Here, using a ...fit-for-purpose analytical workflow, including dosing and emerging analytical techniques, NMs present in organisms are characterized and quantified across an aquatic food chain. The size and shape of gold (Au)-NMs are shown to control the number of Au-NMs attached to algae that were exposed to an equal initial concentration of 2.9 × 10
particles mL
. The Au-NMs undergo size/shape-dependent dissolution and agglomeration in the gut of the daphnids, which determines the size distribution of the NMs accumulated in fish. The biodistribution of NMs in fish tissues (intestine, liver, gills, and brain) also depends on NM size and shape, although the highest particle numbers per unit of mass are almost always present in the fish brain. The findings emphasize the importance of physicochemical properties of metallic NMs in their biotransformations and tropic transfers.
Nanosilver, due to its small particle size and enormous specific surface area, facilitates more rapid dissolution of ions than the equivalent bulk material; potentially leading to increased toxicity ...of nanosilver. This, coupled with their capacity to adsorb biomolecules and interact with biological receptors can mean that nanoparticles can reach sub-cellular locations leading to potentially higher localized concentrations of ions once those particles start to dissolve or degrade
. Further complicating the story is the capacity for nanoparticles to generate reactive oxygen species, and to interact with, and potentially disturb the functioning of biomolecules such as proteins, enzymes and DNA. The fact that the nanoparticle size, shape, surface coating and a host of other factors contribute to these interactions, and that the particles themselves are evolving or ageing leads to further complications in terms of elucidating mechanisms of interaction and modes of action for silver nanoparticles, in contrast to dissolved silver species. This review aims to provide a critical assessment of the current understanding of silver nanoparticle toxicity, as well as to provide a set of pointers and guidelines for experimental design of future studies to assess the environmental and biological impacts of silver nanoparticles. In particular; in future we require a detailed description of the nanoparticles; their synthesis route and stabilisation mechanisms; their coating; and evolution and ageing under the exposure conditions of the assay. This would allow for comparison of data from different particles; different environmental or biological systems; and structure-activity or structure-property relationships to emerge as the basis for predictive toxicology. On the basis of currently available data; such comparisons or predictions are difficult; as the characterisation and time-resolved data is not available; and a full understanding of silver nanoparticle dissolution and ageing under different conditions is observed. Clear concerns are emerging regarding the overuse of nanosilver and the potential for bacterial resistance to develop. A significant conclusion includes the need for a risk-benefit analysis for all applications and eventually restrictions of the uses where a clear benefit cannot be demonstrated.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Bio-nano interactions are a promising area of research, focused particularly on the interactions between proteins and nanomaterials (NMs). These interactions lead to the formation of the protein ...corona, a layer of proteins adsorbed to the surface of NMs; this corona determines the way in which cells within organisms "recognise" and interact with NMs. Corona formation has proven critical for cellular uptake, intracellular localization and toxicity arising from NMs. However, a major class of biological chemicals have been overlooked in the efforts to understand and predict the interactions of NMs with living organisms, namely metabolites, which are also involved in signaling cascades and toxic responses in biological systems. To date, very few studies have investigated this aspect of the NM corona, with initial work focusing upon the use of carbon nanotubes to clean persistent organic pollutants from contaminated air or water. As the protein corona field grew, limited interest in the metabolite corona began to emerge with investigations into the lipid composition of the corona around inhaled NMs and eventually more holistic analyses of the metabolite corona. We suggest that the metabolite corona co-exists with the protein one, since these smaller molecules can fit in between proteins, and indeed are often bound into protein complexes. We hypothesize that metabolites influence NMs impacts on molecular signaling and adverse outcome pathways. We show initial evidence that the metabolite corona is complementary to protein coronas, following similar rules of adsorption based on abundance and affinity leading to metabolite fingerprints akin to protein fingerprints. This work aims to highlight the metabolite corona as an important, but as yet greatly under represented, area of bio-nano interaction research, and encourage researchers to explore this aspect of the interactions between NMs and their surrounding biological environments.
Metabolites present in the corona may play a key role in biological recognition of nanomaterials yet remain a much-overlooked aspect of the corona.
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