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Biological effects

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.

Research areas

  • Cellular toxicology and lung deposition
  • Protein corona and interactions with biomolecules
  • Effects on organism and ecosystems

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 the diagnosis of disease. We study the 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 biologically relevant concentrations of proteins. A special case is how particles influence the fibrillation of Alzheimer's 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 to develop more realistic exposure scenarios in terms of environmental complexity and to identify specific properties and mechanisms related to toxicity.

 

Photos of Daphnia magna after exposure to nanowires

Daphnia magna after 24 h of nanowires exposure, (a) control, (b) 40 nm NWs and (c) 80 nm NWs. GaInP fluorescence from NWs can be seen in red. Reference: Nanotoxicology:1-24. (2016)

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