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Facile Preparation of Internally Self-assembled Lipid Particles Stabilized by Carbon Nanotubes
Published on: February 19, 2016
Significant toxic role for single-walled carbon nanotubes during normal embryogenesis
Dacian Roman1, Amber Yasmeen, Matei Mireuta
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Concordia University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
Nanomedicine : Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine
|April 9, 2013
Summary
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) significantly harm avian embryo development. SWCNT exposure inhibited angiogenesis, reduced embryo size, and led to widespread gene deregulation, suggesting high toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Developmental toxicology
- Nanomaterial safety
- Embryology
Background:
- Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are increasingly used, necessitating safety assessments.
- Embryonic development is a sensitive period for toxicological insult.
- Previous studies have not fully elucidated SWCNT effects on early embryogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the toxicological effects of SWCNTs on avian embryos during early development.
- To assess the impact of SWCNTs on key developmental processes like angiogenesis and gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of chicken embryos to SWCNTs at an early developmental stage.
- Assessment of embryonic growth, survival rates, and macroscopic anomalies.
- RT-PCR analysis of eleven key regulatory genes in brain and liver tissues.
Main Results:
- SWCNT treatment significantly inhibited angiogenesis in the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and chicken embryos.
- SWCNT-exposed embryos were smaller than controls and most died before 12 days of incubation.
- RT-PCR revealed deregulation of genes involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, survival, and angiogenesis in treated embryos.
Conclusions:
- SWCNTs exhibit significant toxicity to avian embryos, impacting multiple developmental pathways.
- Inhibition of angiogenesis and gene expression alterations suggest SWCNTs pose a severe risk to embryonic development.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of SWCNT-induced embryotoxicity.
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