Barrier Capacity of Human Placenta for Nanosized Materials

Background: Humans have been exposed to fine and ultrafine particles throughout their history. Since the Industrial Revolution, sources, doses, and types of nanoparticles have changed dramatically. In the last decade, the rapidly developing field of nanotechnology has led to an increase of engineere...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Environmental health perspectives Vol. 118; no. 3; pp. 432 - 436
Main Authors:	Wick, Peter, Malek, Antoine, Manser, Pius, Meili, Danielle, Maeder-Althaus, Xenia, Diener, Liliane, Diener, Pierre-Andre, Zisch, Andreas, Krug, Harald F., von Mandach, Ursula
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Research Triangle Park, NC National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 01-03-2010 US Department of Health and Human Services
Subjects:	Biological and medical sciences Cell membranes Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases Children's Health Environmental Exposure - analysis Female Fetus - blood supply Fetus - drug effects Fetus - metabolism Health aspects Humans In Vitro Techniques Inorganic dusts (pneumoconiosises) and organic dusts (byssinosis etc.) Lungs Maternal-Fetal Exchange - physiology Medical sciences Models, Biological Nanoparticles Nanoparticles - analysis Nanoparticles - chemistry Particle emission Particle Size Perfusion Permeability Placenta Placenta - drug effects Placenta - metabolism Polystyrenes - chemistry Polystyrenes - pharmacokinetics Polystyrenes - pharmacology Pregnancy Radiation counters Toxicology Trophoblasts Viability United States Human nanopartides nanotoxicity Nanoparticle Toxicity Placental transfer Barrier Pregnancy Tissue barrier tissue Placenta Ex vivo Perfusion human placenta ex vivo perfusion
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Summary:	Background: Humans have been exposed to fine and ultrafine particles throughout their history. Since the Industrial Revolution, sources, doses, and types of nanoparticles have changed dramatically. In the last decade, the rapidly developing field of nanotechnology has led to an increase of engineered nanoparticles with novel physical and chemical properties. Regardless of whether this exposure is unintended or not, a careful assessment of possible adverse effects is needed. A large number of projects have been carried out to assess the consequences of combustion-derived or engineered nanoparticle exposure on human health. In recent years there has been a growing concern about the possible health influence of exposure to air pollutants during pregnancy, hence an implicit concern about potential risk for nanoparticle exposure in utero. Previous work has not addressed the question of whether nanoparticles may cross the placenta. Objective: In this study we investigated whether particles can cross the placental barrier and affect the fetus. Methods: We used the ex vivo human placental perfusion model to investigate whether nanoparticles can cross this barrier and whether this process is size dependent. Fluorescently labeled polystyrene beads with diameters of 50, 80, 240, and 500 nm were chosen as model particles. Results: We showed that fluorescent polystyrene particles with diameter up to 240 nm were taken up by the placenta and were able to cross the placental barrier without affecting the viability of the placental explant. Conclusions: The findings suggest that nanomaterials have the potential for transplacental transfer and underscore the need for further nanotoxicologic studies on this important organ system.
Bibliography:	These authors contributed equally to this work. The authors declare they have no competing financial interests.
ISSN:	0091-6765 1552-9924
DOI:	10.1289/ehp.0901200