Organ-on-a-chip platforms for evaluation of environmental nanoparticle toxicity

Despite showing a great promise in the field of nanomedicine, nanoparticles have gained a significant attention from regulatory agencies regarding their possible adverse health effects upon environmental exposure. Whether those nanoparticles are generated through intentional or unintentional means, the constant exposure to nanomaterials can inevitably lead to unintended consequences based on epidemiological data, yet the current understanding of nanotoxicity is insufficient relative to the rate of their emission in the environment and the lack of predictive platforms that mimic the human physiology. This calls for a development of more physiologically relevant models, which permit the comprehensive and systematic examination of toxic properties of nanoparticles. With the advancement in microfabrication techniques, scientists have shifted their focus on the development of an engineered system that acts as an intermediate between a well-plate system and animal models, known as organ-on-a-chips. The ability of organ-on-a-chip models to recapitulate in vivo like microenvironment and responses offers a new avenue for nanotoxicological research. In this review, we aim to provide overview of assessing potential risks of nanoparticle exposure using organ-on-a-chip systems and their potential to delineate biological mechanisms of epidemiological findings.