Journal article
Multifunctional nanoparticles for real-time evaluation of toxicity during fetal development
PLoS One, Vol.13(2), e0192474
02/08/2018
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192474
PMCID: PMC5805299
PMID: 29420606
Abstract
Increasing production of nanomaterials in industrial quantities has led to public health concerns regarding exposure, particularly among pregnant women and developing fetuses. Information regarding the barrier capacity of the placenta for various nanomaterials is limited due to challenges working with ex vivo human placentas or in vivo animal models. To facilitate real-time in vivo imaging of placental transport, we have developed a novel, multifunctional nanoparticle, based on a core of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN), and functionalized for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and fluorescent microscopy. Our MSN particles were tested as a tracking method for harmful and toxic nanomaterials. In gravid mice, intravenous injections of MSN were administered in the maternal circulation in early gestation (day 9) and late gestation (day 14). MRI and ultrasound were used to track the MSN following the injections. Changes in contrast relative to control mice indicated that MSN were observed in the embryos of mice following early gestation injections, while MSN were excluded from the embryo by the placenta following late gestation injections. The timing of transplacental barrier porosity is consistent with the notion that in mice there is a progressive increasing segregation by the placenta in later gestation. In addition, built-in physico-chemical properties of our MSN may present options for the therapeutic treatment of embryonic exposure. For example, if preventive measures such as detoxification of harmful compounds are implemented, the particle size and exposure timing can be tailored to selectively distribute to the maternal side of the trophoblast or delivered to the fetus.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Multifunctional nanoparticles for real-time evaluation of toxicity during fetal development
- Creators
- Sean Sweeney - University of Iowa, Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical EngineeringAndrea Adamcakova-Dodd - University of Iowa, Occupational and Environmental HealthPeter S Thorne - University of Iowa, Civil and Environmental EngineeringJose G Assouline - University of Iowa, Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- PLoS One, Vol.13(2), e0192474
- Publisher
- United States
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pone.0192474
- PMID
- 29420606
- PMCID
- PMC5805299
- ISSN
- 1932-6203
- eISSN
- 1932-6203
- Copyright
- © 2018 Sweeney et al
- Grant note
- P30 ES005605 / NIH HHS P30 ES005605 / NIEHS NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/08/2018
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Urology
- Record Identifier
- 9983766385102771
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