Biocompatibility and Cytotoxicity of Gold Nanoparticles: Recent Advances in Methodologies and Regulations
Recent advances in the synthesis of metal nanoparticles (MeNPs), and more specifically gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), have led to tremendous expansion of their potential applications in different fields, ranging from healthcare research to microelectronics and food packaging. The properties of function...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/20/10952 |
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| author | Małgorzata Kus-Liśkiewicz Patrick Fickers Imen Ben Tahar |
| author_facet | Małgorzata Kus-Liśkiewicz Patrick Fickers Imen Ben Tahar |
| author_sort | Małgorzata Kus-Liśkiewicz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Recent advances in the synthesis of metal nanoparticles (MeNPs), and more specifically gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), have led to tremendous expansion of their potential applications in different fields, ranging from healthcare research to microelectronics and food packaging. The properties of functionalised MeNPs can be fine-tuned depending on their final application, and subsequently, these properties can strongly modulate their biological effects. In this review, we will firstly focus on the impact of MeNP characteristics (particularly of gold nanoparticles, AuNPs) such as shape, size, and aggregation on their biological activities. Moreover, we will detail different in vitro and in vivo assays to be performed when cytotoxicity and biocompatibility must be assessed. Due to the complex nature of nanomaterials, conflicting studies have led to different views on their safety, and it is clear that the definition of a standard biosafety label for AuNPs is difficult. In fact, AuNPs’ biocompatibility is strongly affected by the nanoparticles’ intrinsic characteristics, biological target, and methodology employed to evaluate their toxicity. In the last part of this review, the current legislation and requirements established by regulatory authorities, defining the main guidelines and standards to characterise new nanomaterials, will also be discussed, as this aspect has not been reviewed recently. It is clear that the lack of well-established safety regulations based on reliable, robust, and universal methodologies has hampered the development of MeNP applications in the healthcare field. Henceforth, the international community must make an effort to adopt specific and standard protocols for characterisation of these products. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:30:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-83d634358148477b8e70758a20f68eca |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:30:52Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-83d634358148477b8e70758a20f68eca2023-11-22T18:31:18ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672021-10-0122201095210.3390/ijms222010952Biocompatibility and Cytotoxicity of Gold Nanoparticles: Recent Advances in Methodologies and RegulationsMałgorzata Kus-Liśkiewicz0Patrick Fickers1Imen Ben Tahar2Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Pigonia 1, 35-310 Rzeszow, PolandTERRA Research and Teaching Centre, Microbial Processes and Interactions Laboratory (MiPI), Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech-University of Liège, Avenue de la Faculté 2B, 5030 Gembloux, BelgiumTERRA Research and Teaching Centre, Microbial Processes and Interactions Laboratory (MiPI), Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech-University of Liège, Avenue de la Faculté 2B, 5030 Gembloux, BelgiumRecent advances in the synthesis of metal nanoparticles (MeNPs), and more specifically gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), have led to tremendous expansion of their potential applications in different fields, ranging from healthcare research to microelectronics and food packaging. The properties of functionalised MeNPs can be fine-tuned depending on their final application, and subsequently, these properties can strongly modulate their biological effects. In this review, we will firstly focus on the impact of MeNP characteristics (particularly of gold nanoparticles, AuNPs) such as shape, size, and aggregation on their biological activities. Moreover, we will detail different in vitro and in vivo assays to be performed when cytotoxicity and biocompatibility must be assessed. Due to the complex nature of nanomaterials, conflicting studies have led to different views on their safety, and it is clear that the definition of a standard biosafety label for AuNPs is difficult. In fact, AuNPs’ biocompatibility is strongly affected by the nanoparticles’ intrinsic characteristics, biological target, and methodology employed to evaluate their toxicity. In the last part of this review, the current legislation and requirements established by regulatory authorities, defining the main guidelines and standards to characterise new nanomaterials, will also be discussed, as this aspect has not been reviewed recently. It is clear that the lack of well-established safety regulations based on reliable, robust, and universal methodologies has hampered the development of MeNP applications in the healthcare field. Henceforth, the international community must make an effort to adopt specific and standard protocols for characterisation of these products.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/20/10952nanomaterialmetal and gold nanoparticlecytotoxicitybiocompatibilitystandardisationsafety consideration |
| spellingShingle | Małgorzata Kus-Liśkiewicz Patrick Fickers Imen Ben Tahar Biocompatibility and Cytotoxicity of Gold Nanoparticles: Recent Advances in Methodologies and Regulations International Journal of Molecular Sciences nanomaterial metal and gold nanoparticle cytotoxicity biocompatibility standardisation safety consideration |
| title | Biocompatibility and Cytotoxicity of Gold Nanoparticles: Recent Advances in Methodologies and Regulations |
| title_full | Biocompatibility and Cytotoxicity of Gold Nanoparticles: Recent Advances in Methodologies and Regulations |
| title_fullStr | Biocompatibility and Cytotoxicity of Gold Nanoparticles: Recent Advances in Methodologies and Regulations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biocompatibility and Cytotoxicity of Gold Nanoparticles: Recent Advances in Methodologies and Regulations |
| title_short | Biocompatibility and Cytotoxicity of Gold Nanoparticles: Recent Advances in Methodologies and Regulations |
| title_sort | biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of gold nanoparticles recent advances in methodologies and regulations |
| topic | nanomaterial metal and gold nanoparticle cytotoxicity biocompatibility standardisation safety consideration |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/20/10952 |
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