Recent Insights into Metal and Metal-Based Nanoparticle-Induced Cytotoxicity: Exposure, Effects and Mechanisms

Dear Colleagues,

It is indisputable that elements (macro/micro-elements) in concentrations exceeding their physiological level are toxic to animals and humans. It is also known that both an excess and deficiency of bioelements can result from their mutual interactions and lead to weakening of the function of a particular organ, thereby contributing to the development of various diseases. Hence, the importance of the interactions between elements must always be kept in mind. As metal ion excess can be life-threatening to humans, it is important to detect changes in the organism as early as possible and to subject the resulting disorders to a reliable assessment. Only the optimal concentration of elements ensures the proper growth, development, and metabolism of the organism. In the appropriate dose, bioelements can prevent numerous disorders, help maintain health, and support the treatment of many illnesses.

In turn, some heavy metals which are considered toxic are common pollutants of the ecosystem and pose a particular threat to human health. Their increasing concentration in recent years is one of the most onerous elements of environmental pollution. It should be emphasized that various anthropogenic activities, the rapid development of technology, and changes that are taking place in the modern world have a significant impact on both the environment and human health. For this reason, there is a need to develop methods for controlling the doses of toxic substances and the effects produced in living organisms.

Despite the tremendous knowledge of metals, many aspects of their action still need to be explained. Hence, such issues as the role of elements in the prevention of certain illnesses and their impact on the course of treatment arouse the unflagging interest of researchers from many scientific centers worldwide. The balance of elements in humans, which is complex and not fully recognized, also continues to be an exciting area of research. Moreover, studies on the effects of heavy metals (which often manifest after many years and are not yet fully understood), likewise those focused on the cytototoxicity of metal-based nanoparticles (NPs), remains at the center of interest of many scientific units as well. Moreover, polyoxometalates (POMs) nanoparticles and POMs decorated nanoparticles have garnered interest too.

As human exposure to NPs is inevitable, the assessment of their safety is gaining more attention. It should be emphasized that the widespread use of nanomaterial-based products, which are currently used in almost all areas of life, is of increasing concern to toxicologists and requires interdisciplinary research aimed at recognizing their properties and effects on the organism. A solid understanding of the properties of NPs and their effects on the body is also important from a clinical point of view and crucial to furthering knowledge in this area.

We invite authors to submit original research papers or review articles on the cytotoxic effects of metals and metal-based nanoparticles (NPs), with a focus on mechanistic insight as well as on the effects of POMs nanoparticles.  Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Unique biological effects of metals and metal-based NPs at the cellular level;
• The most recent in vitro cytotoxicity studies of metals and metal‐based NPs;
• Interactions of metals/metal-based NPs in the context of their cytotoxic effects;
• Human exposure to metal-based NPs versus novel nanoparticle systems for therapeutic purpose;
• Innovative methods/promising strategies for assessing metal‐based NP‐induced toxicity;
• Perspectives on the safety evaluation of metal‐based NPs;
• Metals and metal-based NPs in modern-day medicine;
• POMs nanoparticles cancer effects;
• POMs nanoparticles cytotoxic effects;
• POMs nanoparticles, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation;
• Current challenges in cytotoxicity studies and potential directions in further research.

Dr. Agnieszka Ścibior
Dr. Manuel Aureliano
Prof. Dr. Juan Llopis
Guest Editors

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• metals
• metal-based NPs
• exposure
• cytotoxicity
• nanotoxicology
• nanomedicine