Effects on cellular, organism and ecosystem level
To understand the fundamental connections between particle properties and human and environmental toxicology we study toxicological effects on all levels, from single cells to ecosystems using various in-vitro, ex-vivo, and in-vivo methods. We also study trophic transfer of nanomaterials, as well as the toxic effects thereof, using model ecosystems and mesocosm systems.
Project Areas
Cellular toxicology and lung deposition
To understand the potential toxicology of engineered nanomaterials it is fundamental to understand how they deposit in our respiratory system, and what the mechanisms of effects are. Lung deposition of manufactured nanoparticles with well-defined properties can also be used for diagnosis of disease. We study effects on lung cell cultures using e. g. the NACIVT system and the array of characterization instruments of the aerosol lab in close collaboration with Occupational and Environmental Medicine and Lund Bioengineering and Regeneration.
Protein corona and interactions with biomolecules
We study the interaction between proteins in biological fluids as well as single proteins to nanomaterials of different kinds. This includes selective binding of proteins, structural change after binding and the functional implications. We aim to study low concentrations of nanoparticles down to single particles in biological relevant concentrations of proteins. A special case is how particles influence the fibrillation of Alzheimer peptides.
Effects on organism and ecosystems
To evaluate the potential toxic effects of nanomaterials on biota we study exposure effects on both organism- and ecosystem level, including both lethal and sub-lethal endpoints. Different model systems are currently being used e.g. toxicological testing using aquatic organisms and rodents. We also employ ecosystem approaches e.g. the trophic transfer of nanomaterials in aquatic food chains. In the long term, we strive at developing more realistic exposure scenarios in terms of environmental complexity and to identify specific properties and mechanisms related to toxicity.
Key publications
Analysis of complexes formed by small gold nanoparticles in low concentration in cell culture media. Gunnarsson, S. B., K. Bernfur, U. Englund-Johansson, F. Johansson, and T. Cedervall. Plos One 14:18. (2019)
See article Analysis of complexes formed by small gold nanoparticles at the Publisher's site
Altered deposition of inhaled nanoparticles in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Jakobsson, J. K. F., H. L. Aaltonen, H. Nicklasson, A. Gudmundsson, J. Rissler, P. Wollmer, and J. Londahl. BMC Pulm Med. 2018;18(1):129. doi: 10.1186/s12890-018-0697-2
See article Altered deposition of inhaled nanoparticles at the Publisher's siteat the Publisher's site
Direct comparison between in vivo and in vitro microsized particle phagocytosis assays in Drosophila melanogaster. Adolfsson, K., L. Abariute, A. P. Dabkowska, M. Schneider, U. Hackers, and C. N. Prinz. Toxicol In Vitro. 2018;46:213-218. doi: 10.1016/j.tiv.2017.10.014
See article Direct comparison between in vivo and in vitro microsized particle phagocytosis assays at the Publisher's site
Do nanoparticles provide a new opportunity for diagnosis of distal airspace disease? Londahl, J., J. K. F. Jakobsson, D. M. Broday, H. L. Aaltonen, and P. Wollmer. Int J Nanomedicine. 2016;12:41-51. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S121369
See article Do nanoparticles provide a new opportunity at the Publisher's site
Brain damage and behavioural disorders in fish induced by plastic nanoparticles delivered through the food chain. Mattsson, K., E. V. Johnson, A. Malmendal, S. Linse, L. A. Hansson, and T. Cedervall. Scientific Reports 7:7. (2017)
See article Brain damage and behavioural disorders in fish at the Publisher's site
A new method for measuring lung deposition efficiency of airborne nanoparticles in a single breath. Jakobsson, J. K. F., J. Hedlund, J. Kumlin, P. Wollmer, and J. Londahl. Sci Rep. 2016; 6:36147. doi: 10.1038/srep36147
See article A new method for measuring lung deposition efficiency at the Publisher's site
Translocation of 40 nm diameter nanowires through the intestinal epithelium of Daphnia magna. Mattsson, K., K. Adolfsson, M. T. Ekvall, M. T. Borgström, S. Linse, L.-A. Hansson, T. Cedervall, and C. N. Prinz. Nanotoxicology. 2016;10(8):1160-7. doi: 10.1080/17435390.2016.1189615
See article Translocation of 40 nm diameter nanowires at the Publisher's site
Altered Behavior, Physiology, and Metabolism in Fish Exposed to Polystyrene Nanoparticles. Mattsson, K., M. T. Ekvall, L. A. Hansson, S. Linse, A. Malmendal, and T. Cedervall. Environ Sci Technol. 2015; 49(1):553-61. doi: 10.1021/es5053655.
See article Altered Behavior, Physiology, and Metabolism in Fish at the Publisher's site
Ingestion of gallium phosphide nanowires has no adverse effect on Drosophila tissue function. Adolfsson, K., M. Schneider, G. Hammarin, U. Hacker, and C. N. Prinz. Nanotechnology. 2013; 24(28):285101. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/24/28/285101
See article Ingestion of gallium phosphide nanowires at the Publisher's site
Food Chain Transport of Nanoparticles Affects Behaviour and Fat Metabolism in Fish. Cedervall, T., L. A. Hansson, M. Lard, B. Frohm, and S. Linse. PLoS One. 2012;7(2):e32254. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032254.
See article Food Chain Transport of Nanoparticles at the Publisher's site
Understanding the nanoparticle-protein corona using methods to quantify exchange rates and affinities of proteins for nanoparticles. Cedervall, T., I. Lynch, S. Lindman, T. Berggard, E. Thulin, H. Nilsson, K. A. Dawson, and S. Linse. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007; 104(7):2050-5.
See article Understanding the nanoparticle-protein corona at the Publisher's site
Nucleation of protein fibrillation by nanoparticles. Linse, S., C. Cabaleiro-Lago, W. F. Xue, I. Lynch, S. Lindman, E. Thulin, S. E. Radford, and K. A. Dawson. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007; 104(21):8691-6.
See article Nucleation of protein fibrillation by nanoparticles at the Publisher's site
Key Faculty
Recent Theses
Stefan Gunnarsson, Nanostructure and biomolecule interactions: Characterizing the complex. PhD thesis, Lund University 2018
See Stefan Gunnarsson's thesis at the Research Portal
Karl Adolfsson, GaP and GaInP nanowires as model particles for in vivo fiber toxicity studies. PhD Thesis, Lund University 2017
See Karl Adolfsson's thesis at the Research Portal
Karin Mattsson, Nanoparticles in the aquatic environment, Particle characterization and effects on organisms. PhD Thesis, Lund University 2016
See Karin Mattsson's thesis at the Research Portal
