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Abstract
Human exposure to nanomaterials and nanoparticles is increasing rapidly, but their effects on human health are still largely unknown. Epigenetic modifications are attracting ever more interest as possible underlying molecular mechanisms of gene–environment interactions, highlighting them as potential molecular targets following exposure to nanomaterials and nanoparticles. Interestingly, recent research has identified changes in DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, and noncoding RNAs in mammalian cells exposed to nanomaterials and nanoparticles. However, the challenge for the future will be to determine the molecular pathways driving these epigenetic alterations, the possible functional consequences, and the potential effects on health.
Acknowledgments
We thank Ronnie Lendrum for editorial assistance. This work has been financially supported by the Plan Nacional de I+D+I 2008–2011/2013–2016/FEDER (PI11/01728 to A.F.F.; PI12/01080 to M.F.F; PI15/00892 to M.F.F.; the ISCIII-Subdirección General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación (Miguel Servet contract: CP11/00131 to A.F.F.); and IUOPA (to M.I.S.). The IUOPA is supported by the Obra Social Cajastur, Spain.
Disclosure
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.