Interactions of nanomaterials with cell signalling systems - Focus on purines-mediated pathways

Rapid growth in the mass production of nanomaterials together with their abundant use in consumer products, progressively increases the potential risks of living organisms exposure. Some unique properties of nanomaterials and nanoparticles facilitate their interactions with biomolecules (nano-bio interactions). The purinergic signalling system is one of the oldest evolutionary and widespread transmitter system that utilizes extracellular purine nucleotides and nucleosides as chemical messengers. However, interactions between nanomaterials and components of purinergic signalling pathway have not been fully recognized so far. In view of the emerging data, we summarize the current state-of-art and present the perspectives of nanomaterials influence on the functions of purinergic signaling pathway in different types of cells. The described nano-bio interactions include inter alia direct interplay with purinergic receptors or altering receptor genes expression, activation of inflammatory processes, and induction of cell death. However, the precise mechanisms are yet still to be disentangled. Due to the fact that majority of the effects ascribed to nanomaterials seems to induce disordered signalling, these interactions cannot stay neglected. A better understanding of signalling modulations induced by nanomaterials is not only essential for the accurate assessment of their toxicity, but also for synthesis and design of novel, safer nanomaterials.