The crucial role of environmental coronas in determining the biological effects of engineered nanomaterials
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Authors
Colleges, School and Institutes
External organisations
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
Abstract
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.
Bibliographic note
Details
Original language | English |
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Article number | 2003691 |
Journal | Small |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 36 |
Publication status | Published - 11 Aug 2020 |
Keywords
- aquatic environment, aquatic organism, ecotoxicological effect, engineered nanomaterials, environmental corona