Engineered nanoparticle-induced epigenetic changes: An important consideration in nanomedicine

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health Sciences
• Toxicology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) are increasingly used across various fields, necessitating research into their biological effects.
• ENP-induced epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and miRNA regulation, are emerging areas of concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the diverse range of ENP-induced epigenetic changes.
• To elucidate the interplay between ENP-induced epigenetic alterations and key biological events such as oxidative stress, MAPK pathway activation, and inflammation.
• To highlight the mechanisms, biological effects, and technological advancements in studying ENP-induced epigenetics.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on studies assessing ENP-bioeffects and epigenetic changes.
• Analysis of mechanisms linking ENP exposure to DNA methylation, histone modifications, and miRNA-mediated gene expression.
• Examination of the role of high-throughput technologies in identifying ENP-induced epigenetic alterations.

Main Results:

• ENPs can induce a variety of epigenetic changes, influencing gene expression patterns.
• These epigenetic alterations are closely linked to functional biological events, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and MAPK signaling.
• High-throughput technologies have significantly advanced the identification and characterization of ENP-induced epigenetic modifications.

Conclusions:

• ENP exposure can lead to significant epigenetic changes with potential functional consequences.
• Understanding these ENP-induced epigenetic alterations is crucial for assessing nanoparticle safety and risk.
• Further research is needed to address existing challenges and explore future perspectives in ENP epigenetics.