Application of dental nanomaterials: potential toxicity to the central nervous system

Abstract

Nanomaterials are defined as materials with one or more external dimensions with a size of 1–100 nm. Such materials possess typical nanostructure-dependent properties (eg, chemical, biological, optical, mechanical, and magnetic), which may differ greatly from the properties of their bulk counterparts. In recent years, nanomaterials have been widely used in the production of dental materials, particularly in light polymerization composite resins and bonding systems, coating materials for dental implants, bioceramics, endodontic sealers, and mouthwashes. However, the dental applications of nanomaterials yield not only a significant improvement in clinical treatments but also growing concerns regarding their biosecurity. The brain is well protected by the blood–brain barrier (BBB), which separates the blood from the cerebral parenchyma. However, in recent years, many studies have found that nanoparticles (NPs), including nanocarriers, can transport through the BBB and locate in the central nervous system (CNS). Because the CNS may be a potential target organ of the nanomaterials, it is essential to determine the neurotoxic effects of NPs. In this review, possible dental nanomaterials and their pathways into the CNS are discussed, as well as related neurotoxicity effects underlying the in vitro and in vivo studies. Finally, we analyze the limitations of the current testing methods on the toxicological effects of nanomaterials. This review contributes to a better understanding of the nano-related risks to the CNS as well as the further development of safety assessment systems.

Keywords:

• dental
• nanomaterials
• central nervous system
• toxicity
• testing methods
• risk assessment

Introduction

Nanomaterials are defined as materials composed of unbound particles or particles in an aggregate or agglomerate state with one or more external dimensions with a size ranging from 1 nm to 100 nm.¹ Such materials possess typical nanostructure-dependent properties (eg, chemical, biological, optical, mechanical, and magnetic), which distinguish them from their bulk counterparts. Because of their new and unique properties, nanomaterials are becoming ubiquitous in various products, such as sunscreens, cosmetics, medical supplies, clothing, and building materials. The global demand for nanomaterials and nano-enabled devices is expected to approach US$1 trillion by 2015.² The overwhelming increase in the amount of nanotechnology-related products has had major impacts on both society and the environment.

The benefits of nanomaterials to modern medicine have been particularly tremendous. In recent years, nanomaterials have been widely used in the production of dental materials, including light polymerization composite resins^3,4 and bonding systems, coating materials for dental implants,⁵ bioceramics, endodontic sealers,⁶ and mouthwashes.⁷ However, in addition to yielding significant improvements in clinical treatments, the applications of dental nanomaterials have also created growing concerns regarding their biosecurity. Because the nanomaterials are similar in size to DNA molecules, proteins, viruses, and biological molecules, some of their biological effects may lie in the interaction mechanisms between living things and the environment, which has not yet been distinctly understood. In fact, nanoparticles (NPs) are a type of mesoscopic system that possesses a special surface effect, a small size effect, and a macroscopic quantum tunneling effect. When reduced to the nanoscale, many benign materials may exhibit appreciable cellular toxicity. For example, TiO₂, a common substrate material for dental implants, was previously classified as being biologically inert in humans and animals and has been used as a negative control particle in a variety of toxicological studies. Nevertheless, several possible adverse effects of TiO₂ NPs on human health have been recently discovered.^8,9 Additionally, in vitro data have also demonstrated the cellular toxicity of zinc oxide nanomaterials (nano-ZnO), which have been developed for numerous anti-infection applications.¹⁰

Indeed, nanomaterials are not inherently benign; they can affect biological behaviors at different levels, including the cellular, subcellular, and protein levels. After exposure, some nanomaterials readily travel throughout the body, deposit in target organs, penetrate cell membranes, lodge in the mitochondria, and trigger injurious responses. In recent years, many studies have demonstrated that nanomaterials can accumulate in the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys of animals.^11,12 The brain is different from other organs, as the blood–brain barrier (BBB) can prevent the majority of substances from entering the brain. However, existing research has shown that nanomaterials have relatively easily crossed the BBB into the brain, and the crossing of the BBB by nanomaterials was attributed to their small sizes and high surface activities. Furthermore, these nanomaterials may even translocate into the brain by the olfactory and sensory nerves.^13,14 All of these findings have suggested that the central nervous system (CNS) could be damaged and a range of pathogenic effects may be experienced upon exposure to nanomaterials.

Researchers have conducted many in vivo and in vitro studies to explore the interactions between the nanomaterials and biological macromolecules, cells, organs, and tissues, and the majority of these studies have found that the effects of the biological toxicities of the nanomaterials may be induced by the mechanisms of oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions.^15,16 However, one problem that has arisen is whether the traditional methods and techniques utilized in the analysis of the toxicities of the nanomaterials are accurate and reliable. Further questions have arisen regarding whether the unique physicochemical properties of the nanomaterials have introduced new mechanisms of injury and whether these new mechanisms will lead to new pathologies. Even if the nanomaterials do not introduce new pathologies, there could be new, novel mechanisms of injury that require special tools, assays, and approaches to assess their toxicities.¹⁷ Therefore, it is still too early to draw explicit conclusions regarding the inherent dangers of nanomaterials, let alone their exact mechanisms of toxicity.

This review is mainly intended to provide a detailed introduction of the applications of dental nanomaterials along with their potential neurotoxic effects. Possible dental nanomaterials and their pathways into the CNS are stated first, and the neurotoxic effects and related mechanisms behind the in vitro and in vivo studies are further discussed. Finally, we highlight the limitations of the current investigative methods and provide some suggestions on some aspects of future researches. We hope this review will contribute to a better understanding of the nano-related risks to the CNS and the further development of safety assessment systems.

Possible commercial dental nanomaterials

Alongside the industrialization process of nanotechnology, dental nanomaterials have been widely utilized, and the opportunities for people to come into contact with nanomaterials have improved greatly. Nanotechnology-based materials have led to great improvements in clinical treatments and have driven the innovation of numerous conventional dental materials. Major applications of nanomaterials in the dental field are described in this section, and a summary of these examples is provided in Table 1.

Table 1 Summary of the current nanomaterials in the dental field

Major applications	Nanomaterial type	Particle size	Significant characteristics	References
Composite resins	Nano-ZnO	125 nm	Better antibacterial and mechanical properties	Kasraei et al^Citation3
	Nano-silica	7 nm 70 nm	Better mechanical properties	Balos et al^Citation18; Wang et al^Citation12
	Nano-Ca3(PO4)2 and CaF2	112 nm 53 nm	Better stress-bearing capabilities and the inhibition of caries	Xu et al^Citation20
	Nano-TiO2	<20 nm	Improved microhardness and flexural strength	Xia et al^Citation21
Dental adhesives	Nano-HAp	20–70 nm	Better bonding strength to dentin	Wagner et al^Citation24
	Nano-silver and calcium phosphate	<10 nm 112 nm	Improved antibacterial properties	Melo et al^Citation23
	Nano-silica	7 nm	High mechanical strength and good thermostability	Wang et al^Citation22; Habekost et al^Citation25
Root canal fillings	Nano-HAp	–	Better osteogenesis and improved bacteriostatic and antibacterial effects	Jallot et al^Citation26; Krisanapiboon et al^Citation27
Bone repair materials	Nano-HAp	100 nm 20 nm 3 nm	Guiding the regeneration of periodontal and bone tissue	Huber et al^Citation29; Qi et al^Citation28; Yang et al^Citation30
	Nano-ZrO2/HAp composite	70–90 nm/500–1,000 nm	Guiding bone reconstruction	An et al^Citation31
Bioceramics	Nano-ZrO2/Al2O3	–	Better resistance to crack propagation	De Aza et al^Citation32
	Nano-silver	10 nm	Increased fracture toughness and Vickers hardness	Uno et al^Citation33
Silicone elastomer material	Nano-Ti-, Zn-, Ce-oxide	30–40 nm 20 nm 50 nm	Improved mechanical properties	Han et al^Citation34
Denture base materials	Nano-silver	10–20 nm	Better antifungal properties and biocompatibility	Acosta-Torres et al^Citation35
Coating materials for dental implants	Nano-porous alumina	20–200 nm	Good cell adhesion and no adverse effect on cell activity	Karlsson et al^Citation36
	Nano-zirconia/calcium phosphate	360 nm/151 nm	High bioactivity potential and good mechanical stability	Pardun et al^Citation37
	Nano-ZnO	10–100 nm	Better antimicrobial and biocompatible properties	Memarzadeh et al^Citation5
	Nano-HAp	–	Achieving rapid osseointegration	Uezono et al^Citation38
Drug delivery	Nano-silica	150 nm	Sustained and controlled release of anticancer drugs (as drug carriers)	Lebold et al^Citation40
	Polymeric NPs (vitamin E TPGS)	300–1,000 nm	Controlled release of anticancer drugs (as drug carriers)	Mu and Feng^Citation41
Tumor imaging	Superparamagnetic iron oxide NPs	82±4.4 nm	Good superparamagnetic and optical properties	Melancon et al^Citation42

Abbreviations: HAp, hydroxyapatite; NPs, nanoparticles; TPGS, d-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate.

Composite resins and bonding systems

The matrices of traditional composite resins have generally been comprising various types of inorganic fillers. Applications of nano-sized fillings in the resin matrices have overcome some of the mechanical limitations and have significantly improved their clinical performance. Commonly used nanomaterials include nano-ZnO,^3,4 nano-silica,^18,19 nano-calcium phosphate and calcium fluoride (nano-Ca₃(PO₄)₂ and CaF₂, respectively),²⁰ and nano-TiO₂.²¹ In addition to composite resins, the utilization of nanomaterials in dental adhesives has also effectively improved their bonding strengths and mechanical properties. For instance, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes hybrid nano-composites have polymerized with silicon-based nanomaterials to form a novel type of bonding material that possessed a large mechanical strength and good thermostability.²² Furthermore, the antibacterial properties of the bonding agents could be greatly improved by the inclusion of nano-sized silver and calcium phosphate.²³ Other possible additions have included nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HAp)²⁴ and nano-silica.²⁵

Root filling materials

Root canal filling materials are supposed to effectively kill the bacteria in the periodical lesions, densely seal the apical zones, and promote healing. However, the brittleness of the root canal often increases after treatment due to the large size of the traditional HAp. The mismatch of the elastic modulus between the root dentin and fillings has also resulted in percolation. In contrast, nano-HAp represents a unique advantage in this aspect because its structure is similar to natural inorganic bone. Nano-HAp was able to induce osteogenesis²⁶ and further improve the bacteriostatic and antibacterial effects of the root fillings.²⁷ Considering its good bioactivity, nano-HAp was also used as an optimum replacement material in the repair of bone defects.^28,29 For example, Yang et al³⁰ demonstrated that nano-HAp-coated silk scaffolds effectively guided the regeneration of periodontal and bone tissue. Similarly, porous ZrO₂/HAp composite scaffolds were also reported to possess excellent mechanical properties and cellular/tissue compatibilities.³¹

Bioceramics and associated dental prosthesis

Nanostructured bioceramics, which are constructed by a plasma-coating or chemical deposition process, generally possess enhanced mechanical properties, such as a better resistance to crack propagation³² and an increased fracture toughness and Vickers hardness.³³ Additionally, the utilization of nano-sized Ti-, Zn-, and Ce-oxide has greatly improved the mechanical properties of a maxillofacial silicone elastomer.³⁴ Nano-sized silver may be an effective addition to denture-based materials to improve their antifungal properties and biocompatibility.³⁵ Thus, the applications of nanomaterials have the potential to effectively improve the comprehensive properties, including the mechanical, chemical, and biological properties, of different types of conventional dental materials.

Coating materials for dental implants

Good osseointegration at the implant–bone interface is essential for the success of dental implantation, but, unfortunately, this still remains a significant challenge. In recent years, a number of studies have reported the increased success rates of implants through the applications of a nano-coating on the surface, a nano-ceramic, and artificial nano-bone materials. For example, nano-porous alumina,³⁶ nano-zirconia/nano-Ca₃(PO₄)₂,³⁷ nano-ZnO,⁵ and nano-HAp³⁸ have been utilized to increase the surface bioactivities of dental implants to achieve superior osseointegration. The advantages of the nanoscale modifications of dental implant surfaces have been presented in a recent review by Mendonca et al.³⁹

Target delivery and imaging in tumor chemotherapy

A key problem in the use of chemotherapy for oral malignant tumors is how to improve the local concentrations of the drug while reducing the systemic side effects. To solve this problem, novel NP-based drug delivery strategies have been studied where the NPs are the drug carriers that can transport the anticancer drugs to the tumor sites, which further increases the therapeutic efficacy. For example, Lebold et al⁴⁰ applied mesoporous thin silica films with nanoscale pores as drug carriers that were incorporated with doxorubicin, a widely used anticancer drug. The mesoporous silica nanomaterials demonstrated a sustained and controlled release of the anticancer drugs. Mu and Feng⁴¹ discussed the advantages of manufacturing polymeric NPs (vitamin E d-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate) for the controlled release of paclitaxel and other anticancer drugs. Another application of targeted therapy with novel NPs involves tumor imaging. Superparamagnetic iron oxide with special surface modifications has been utilized to guide the laser ablation of maxillofacial cancer because these manufactured NPs are magnetic resonance-active and can be selectively heated up for simultaneous imaging.⁴² Similarly, liposomal nanocarriers also possess special advantages in their use for tumor radiography and imaging due to their good encapsulation of drugs and gadolinium.⁴³

Aside from the aforementioned therapeutic uses, many nanomaterials, such as nano-TiO₂ and nano-ZnO, have been utilized in everyday dental items, including toothpastes and mouthwashes.^7,44 Considering the various applications of dental nanomaterials listed above, we should admit the outstanding contributions of nanomaterials to modern medicine. In the meantime, however, the risks of nanomaterials to human health have also significantly increased accompanied with more exposure opportunities.

Possible pathways for entering the CNS

Based on the principles of toxicology, nearly all substances are potentially toxic to humans, and the key lies in the dose and method of exposure. The people who most likely come into contact with dental nanomaterials are the production, research, and development staff, as well as the dental staff and patients. In clinical situations, most of the dental nanomaterials were directly applied in the oral cavity or maxillofacial region, allowing the nanomaterials to easily enter into the bloodstream (or lymph fluid) via absorption through oral mucosa or through the digestive tract after swallowing. In addition, opportunities for exposure to nanomaterials may also occur with the utilization of dental tools. At present, tungsten carbide (WC) nanowires, which are a new form of nano-WC, have been applied in the production of carbide micro-drills, including in dental drills and burrs. Thus, dental staff and patients may face abrasive NPs directly during a grinding or polishing process, especially considering that many dental prosthetic materials also contain nano-metals (eg, Co, Cr, Au, Ag, Ti), resins (Si), and ceramics (eg, Zr, Al, Li, Mg, Fe). Once these NPs are absorbed into our bloodstreams, they can be distributed to different organs, including the liver, spleen, kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain. Compared with the other organs, these substances are still required to cross the BBB or blood–cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barriers to reach the brain. In addition to the systemic pathways, nanomaterials can directly translocate to the brain via nerves.⁴⁵ The possible pathways of dental nanomaterials entering the CNS are described below.

BBB pathway

The BBB is mainly composed of the cerebrovascular endothelium, which is sealed with tight junctions (TJs). Additional structures, such as pericytes, astrocyte end-feet, and a discontinuous basal membrane, are supportive cells to the BBB. All of these structures associated with the surrounding neurons constitute a complex and functional “neurovascular unit”⁴⁶ (Figure 1). The unique structural characteristics of the BBB are the intracellular TJs and the absence of Weibel–Palade bodies, which are significantly different from other vascular endothelial cells and can prevent most of the substances from entering into the CNS. In addition to these physical barriers, the BBB also possesses some metabolic barriers to the delivery of therapeutic agents.⁴⁷ First, the endothelia of the BBB are deficient in pinocytic vesicles, and thus, they can only allow for the low pinocytosis of certain substrates. Second, a series of intra- and extracellular enzymes that are expressed by the cellular components will limit the transport of a substance through the BBB. The complex interactions between the drugs and these enzyme systems often lead to therapeutic failure. Finally, efflux systems (such as P-glycoprotein) of the endothelial cells also play an important role in the elimination of harmful endogenous and exogenous molecules. Another associated structure that serves to prevent potentially harmful substances from entering the brain is known as the blood–CSF barrier.⁴⁸ This barrier is formed by choroid plexus epithelial cells, which possess similar TJs but a smaller surface area compared with the BBB endothelia. The blood–CSF barrier helps to prevent macromolecules from penetrating into the CSF, and this function is further reinforced by the active transport systems, which actively remove therapeutic organic acids from the CSF.⁴⁹

Figure 1 Schematic of the blood–brain barrier and the associated components of the neurovascular unit.

Note: Reprinted from Adv Drug Deliv Rev, 64(7), Chen Y, Liu L. Modern methods for delivery of drugs across the blood–brain barrier. 640–665., Copyright (2012), with permission from Elsevier.⁴⁶

Despite these limitations, many studies have shown that nanomaterials, including nanomaterials that have been utilized as drug carriers, can cross the BBB (or blood–CSF barrier) into the CNS.^50–52 Therefore, nanotechnology-based carriers have been exploited as an effective approach for drug delivery in the CNS. At present, the majority of the strategies described for the passage of nanomaterials (as drug carriers) through the BBB involve the mechanisms shown in Figure 2, which include the following: 1) NPs help to enable drugs to penetrate the BBB by opening the TJs between the endothelial cells; 2) NPs are transcytosed through the endothelial cell layer; 3) NPs are endocytosed by the endothelial cells and release the drug inside the cell; 4) coating agents of NPs, such as polysorbates, inhibit the transmembrane efflux systems; and 5) NPs may induce local toxic effects on the brain vasculature, leading to a limited increase in the permeability of the neural endothelial cells.^53,54

Figure 2 Schematic representation of multifunctional NPs as drug carriers across the BBB.

Notes: Drugs can be adsorbed onto the surface of the NP due to the interactions between positive and negative charges (1) and may even be trapped inside its core (2). Different strategies have been applied for the transportation of drugs across the BBB: receptor–ligands for unique recognition and endocytosis (3); tight junction openers for improved intercellular penetration (4); transcytosis enhancers for the promotion of the transport of NP across the membranes (5); surfactants for the enhancement of membrane fluidization (6); efflux system inhibitors for the reduction of drug efflux (7); and local toxicity inducers for the increase in the permeability of the endothelial cells (8). Reproduced with permission of Informa Healthcare. Barbu E, Molnar E, Tsibouklis J, Gorecki DC. The potential for nanoparticle-based drug delivery to the brain: overcoming the blood–brain barrier. Expert Opin Drug Deliv. 6(6):553–565, copyright © 2009, Informa Healthcare.⁵³

Abbreviations: NP, nanoparticle; BBB, blood–brain barrier.

Under certain conditions, the brain is more vulnerable to dental nanomaterials when the exposure occurs in its developmental stage. Many facts indicate that the structure and function of the BBB mature stage by stage alongside the ontogenesis of animals. Consequently, compared with adult brains, fetal brains may be more easily affected by blood-borne substances, including nanomaterials, because the development of the BBBs in the fetal brains is incomplete.⁵⁵ Yamashita et al⁵⁶ found that nano-silica and nano-TiO₂ caused complications with the pregnancy when they were injected intravenously into pregnant mice. These NPs accumulated in the placenta, fetal brain, and fetal liver. Other toxicity studies have also shown that the nanomaterials could cross the placental barriers in pregnant mice and thereafter cause neurotoxicity effects in the offspring.^9,57 Thus, special attention must be given to the utilization of dental nanomaterials in pregnant patients, especially early on in their pregnancy.

Although numerous studies have examined the mechanisms of NPs that have been transported through the BBB, the mechanisms have still not been fully elucidated, partially due to the special high doses that have been applied in vitro and may not be achieved under in vivo conditions. Furthermore, there is still the unresolved question of whether the NPs that do cross the BBB localize in the brain parenchyma, enter the endothelial cells of the CNS vasculature, or both. These questions must be further studied.

Sensory nerve translocation pathway

The olfactory pathway consists of the olfactory epithelium, olfactory tract, anterior olfactory nucleus, piriform cortex, amygdala, and hypothalamus. This pathway can be the major route for the CNS delivery of therapeutic agents following intranasal administration. There is a large amount of evidence that indicated that inhaled or intranasally instilled NPs can enter into the CNS via the olfactory epithelium and its associated neurons, pass directly into the olfactory lobes of the brain, and then induce significant inflammation-related effects.^58–60 This route involves the olfactory or trigeminal nerve systems, which are initiated from parts of the brain and terminate in the nasal cavity at the olfactory epithelium or respiratory epithelium, all of which bypass the BBB.⁶¹ Other studies have attempted to focus on the nerve conduction velocity in nanomaterials. For example, De Lorenzo⁶² reported that gold NPs (50 nm in size) were translocated by the olfactory nerve after nasal administration in the squirrel monkey, and the transfer speed was 2.5 mm/hour. However, in this research, the damage to the nerve fibers and the impacts on the normal neurons and neural functions in the process of the translocation were not further investigated.

Additionally, an often overlooked but important pathway connecting the nasal passages to the CNS involves the trigeminal nerve, which innervates the respiratory and olfactory epithelium of the nasal passages. Three branches of the trigeminal nerve (ophthalmic division, maxillary division, and mandibular division) merge at the trigeminal ganglion, enter the CNS at the pons, and terminate in the spinal trigeminal nuclei in the brainstem.⁶³ Considering that a small portion of the trigeminal nerve also terminates in the olfactory bulbs, cross talk between the trigeminal and olfactory routes of the drug delivery to the brain may occur. Thus, it is often difficult to determine whether intranasally administered drugs reach the olfactory bulb and other rostral brain areas through the trigeminal or olfactory pathways or if both are involved.⁶⁴

However, due to anatomical and physiological differences, the sensory nerve uptake of NPs proposed in the rat model may not be adequately predictive of human exposure.^13,65 The translocation of NPs via the human olfactory nerve pathways into the brain is more difficult than that of rats, and the amounts involved in the translocation are also considerably lower. However, this does not exclude the possibility of the utilization of the nerve pathway in humans. Oberdorster et al⁶⁵ once reported that the translocation of 20 nm particles is two to ten times higher in the human olfactory bulb than in rats. According to the limited data that are available, it is still difficult to evaluate the extent of the accumulation in the brain through axonal transport, although it is a realistic possibility. More importantly, future research should consider additional aspects, such as the evaluation of the mechanisms of NP uptake and axonal translocation, the changes of NP surface chemistry during neuronal transport, and the distribution kinetics and elimination pathways in the CNS.

In vivo studies on the potential toxicity of nanomaterials on the CNS

NP exposure via different drug delivery routes

In clinical situations, nanomaterials are able to enter the body via different routes. For instance, materials utilized in bone repair, periodontal dressing pastes, root canal pastes, and implant surface coatings can be visibly contaminated with blood, thus allowing NPs to rapidly enter the bloodstream in the short term and eventually reach the CNS via transport across the BBB. Furthermore, when materials are being mechanically ground and polished in the clinic or laboratory, particles of the dental restorative materials may spread in the air and enter the CNS via pulmonary inhalation or along the olfactory/trigeminal nerve translocation pathways. Finally, the abrasion and dissolving process of nano-fillings and restorative materials and the usage of toothpastes and mouthwashes may all lead to the NP exposure in the oral mucosa, as well as further absorption in the gastrointestinal tract after swallowing. Here, we focus on the main pathways through which nanomaterials enter the CNS. A summary of the examples found in this manuscript is presented in Table 2.

Table 2 Neurotoxicity effects of dental nanomaterials under in vivo conditions

Drug delivery routes	Nanomaterial type	Particle size	Exposure model	Neurotoxicity effects	References
Intravenous injection	Nano-ZnO	30–40 nm	Wistar rats	Increased brain zinc concentrations	Amara et al^Citation67
Intraperitoneal injection	G7 NPs	170±18 nm	C57Bl6 mice	Accumulation in brain areas and special cell populations	Vilella et al^Citation66
Intranasal instillation	Nano-TiO2	40 nm 50 nm	ICR mice	Morphological changes of neurons Disturbance of monoamine neurotransmitter levels	Zhang et al^Citation68
Intratracheal instillation	Nano-TiO2	3 nm	Kunming mice	Brain injury by inducing oxidative stress responses	Li et al^Citation70
Nasal administration	Nano-TiO2	5–6 nm	ICR mice	Oxidative stress in brain Pathological changes of brain cells Changes in genes associated with brain toxicity	Ze et al^Citation71
Nasal instillation	Al NPs	5–100 nm	SD rats	Alteration of gene and protein expression of MAPK and their activity	Kwon et al^Citation72
Oral exposure	Nano-TiO2 Nano-ZnO Nano-Al2O3	<75 nm <100 nm 45 nm	Swiss albino mice	Oxidative stress in brain	Shrivastava et al^Citation74
Intragastric administration	Nano-TiO2	6–7 nm	ICR mice	Accumulation of ROS in the hippocampus Effects on animal behavior	Hu et al^Citation75
Intraperitoneal injection	Fullerene C60 nanocrystals	100 nm	SD rats	Enhanced LTP and spatial memory	Chen et al^Citation80
	Nano-ZnO	20–80 nm	Wistar rats	Damaged spatial cognition capability via over-enhanced LTP	Han et al^Citation81
Intracerebral injection	Nano-MnO2	10 nm	SD rats	Alteration of spatial learning abilities associated with dopaminergic neuronal dysfunction	Li et al^Citation82
Intracerebroventricular injection	Nano-TiO2	9 nm	SD rats	Induction of malaise and general motor retardation	Kim et al^Citation83
Intravenous injection	Nano-TiO2	5 nm	SD rats	Oxidative damage on the offspring brain and depressive-like behaviors in adulthood	Cui et al^Citation84
Intraperitoneal injection	Nano-TiO2	5 nm	Wistar rats	Impaired spatial recognition memory	Hu et al^Citation89

Abbreviations: G7 NPs, glycopeptides-modified poly-lactide-co-glycolide NPs; NPs, nanoparticles; SD, Sprague-Dawley; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinases; ROS, reactive oxygen species; LTP, long-term potentiation; ICR, Institute of Cancer Research.

In a recent study performed by Vilella et al,⁶⁶ the author found that NPs were widely distributed across the regions of the brain 6 hours after the intraperitoneal injection on C57Bl6 mice (Figure 3). This finding was further confirmed by the results from another toxicity study⁶⁷ in which zinc concentrations in rat brains increased significantly after an intravenous injection of a suspension of ZnO NPs for 14 consecutive days. The study also found that the concentration of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as norepinephrine and epinephrine, remained unchanged. This observation suggested that the acute intravenous injection of ZnO NPs may not affect neurotransmitter concentrations in adult rats. In contrast, in Zhang et al’s study,⁶⁸ a significant upregulation of Ti particles in the cerebral cortex and striatum was reported when mice were intranasally instilled with different types of TiO₂ NPs; this caused clear morphological changes in the neurons and created a significant disturbance in the monoamine neurotransmitter levels. This research highlighted the important role of the surface modification of the NPs in their neurotoxicity. In fact, nanomaterials with the same chemical compositions differed in their toxicological properties according to their shapes, sizes, surface charges, types of coating material, and reactivities.⁶⁹

Figure 3 G7 NP distribution in different brain regions and cell populations.

Notes: Confocal microscopy images of brain cryosections in mice sacrificed 6 hours after an intraperitoneal injection of G7 NPs labeled with DAPI (blue), G7 NPs (red), and a number of antibodies (green) Low- (A–D) and high-magnification (E–H) images of the cerebral cortex (A and E), corpus callosum (B and F), choroid plexus (C and G), and subfornical organ (F and H). (E–H) High-magnification images of the dashed squares indicated in (A–D). (I–L) High-magnification images showing single cells from the hippocampal formation.⁶⁶ Scale bar =50 μm (A–D) and 10 μm (E–L). Reprinted from J Control Release, 174, Vilella A, Tosi G, Grabrucker AM, et al. Insight on the fate of CNS-targeted nanoparticles. Part I: Rab5-dependent cell-specific uptake and distribution. 195–201., Copyright (2014), with permission from Elsevier.⁶⁶

Abbreviations: NP, nanoparticle; G7 NPs, glycopeptides-modified poly-lactide-co-glycolide NPs; DAPI, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole.

Li et al⁷⁰ examined the potential systematic influences of TiO₂ NPs on mice following a 4-week intratracheal instillation. Their results indicated that TiO₂ NPs could transfer through the BBB and thereafter induce an injury to the brain by the activation of oxidative stress responses. In another toxicity study of TiO₂ NPs in mice performed by Ze et al⁷¹ TiO₂ NPs were translocated and accumulated in the brain through nasal administration, and this led to an oxidative stress and a series of pathological changes, such as an overproliferation of the glial cells and hippocampal cell apoptosis. The authors further noted some significant changes in genes that may be potential biomarkers of brain toxicity. Similar findings were also reported by Kwon et al⁷² who found that Al NPs exposure modulated the gene and protein expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinases and their activities. Marano et al⁷³ recently discussed the NP-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and activation of signaling pathways involving various protein kinases.

A recent in vivo study⁷⁴ investigated the toxic effects of nano-TiO₂, nano-ZnO, and nano-Al₂O₃ in mice through oral exposure (500 mg/kg) for 21 consecutive days. These NPs produced a significant oxidative stress in the brain, as evident from the enhanced levels of ROS and the altered activities of the antioxidant enzymes. These changes were also supported by the inhibition of CuZnSOD and MnSOD, which are considered important biomarkers of oxidative stress. These observations were consistent with another set of research on the toxicity of TiO₂ NPs that was conducted 2 years earlier by Hu et al⁷⁵ this research also indicated that TiO₂ NPs induced an accumulation of ROS in the mouse hippocampus. Similar studies of the oxidative stresses that are associated with selective gene expression analyses and immunological biomarkers would further improve our understanding of the mechanisms of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration associated with NPs.⁷⁶ These results suggested that the involvement of oxidative stress was one of the main mechanisms involved in the NP-induced toxic manifestations. Other possible NP-induced neurotoxicity mechanisms include inflammatory reactions,⁷⁷ mitochondrial abnormalities,⁷⁸ and apoptosis and autophagy dysfunctions.⁷⁹

Neurotoxic effects associated with animal behavior

The impact of nanomaterials on animal behavior has received considerable attention in recent years. Activity-dependent synaptic changes, generally termed synaptic plasticity (such as long-term potentiation – LTP), are involved in multiple forms of cognitive functions, including learning and memory. The facilitation or stabilization of synaptic plasticity events may lead to a potential improvement of cognitive functions under pathological and even physiological conditions. Chen et al⁸⁰ reported that intraperitoneal injections of fullerene (C60) nanocrystals (Nano C60) enhanced the LTPs and spatial memories of rats. In contrast, in Han et al’s report,⁸¹ although the LTPs of 4-week-old rats were significantly enhanced, their escape latency in a Morris water maze was prolonged. The authors indicated that the bidirectional effect on long-term synaptic plasticity broke the balance between the stability and flexibility of cognition. This finding was consistent with a more recent study on the toxicity of nano-MnO₂ conducted by Li et al.⁸² In addition to an influence on the learning ability of animals, research has also highlighted the toxic effects of nanomaterials on the emotion-related behavior of adult animals. For example, Kim et al⁸³ examined the effects of TiO₂ NPs on the complex behavior of male rats following an intracerebroventricular injection. In the study, they observed the induction of malaise and general motor retardation of rats. Another toxicity study performed by Cui et al⁸⁴ attempted to evaluate the impact of prenatal exposure to TiO₂ NPs on the development of the brains of offspring. The authors found that fetal life stress resulting from prenatal exposure to TiO₂ NPs led to depressive-like behaviors in adult rats.

Moreover, there is evidence of the role of ROS in neuronal apoptosis, a key mechanism in brain development.⁸⁵ Nox2-derived ROS generation may contribute to the LTP and memory function.⁸⁶ The brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress because of its high energy demands, low levels of antioxidants, and high cellular concentrations of proteins and lipids. Thus, the impairment of behaviors in animals after nanomaterial exposure may largely result from the overproduction of ROS. Additionally, ROS can regulate neuronal ion channels, kinases, and transcription factors,^87,88 all of which are considered important factors in brain function. Some other studies have revealed the influence of nanomaterials on the levels of neurotransmitters that were associated with memory and learning behaviors.^57,89

Neurotoxicity of nanomaterials on in vitro cells

In the brain, the NPs are in contact with three different cell types⁹⁰: (1) BBB (specialized endothelium) and/or blood–liquid barrier cells (choriplexus endothelium between blood and CSF); (2) glial cells or neuroglia (macroglia: astrocytes and oligodendrocytes; microglia: pericytes regulating BBB functionality)⁹¹ and precursors for macrophage-like cells; and (3) two general types of neurons (with [white matter] or without [gray matter] a myelin sheath). Different cell models will be described in this section, and key examples are given in Table 3.

Table 3 In vitro studies of dental nanomaterials with different cell models

Exposure model	Nanomaterial type	Particle size	Cell type	Main research contents	References
BBB	Nano-silica 100 nm 200 nm	50 nm	hCMEC/D3 cells	Cellular accumulation and transcytosis conditions of NPs in brain	Ye et al^Citation94
	Nano-TiO2	21 nm core	HCECs	Cellular uptake and localization, generation of oxidative stress, and DNA-damaging effects in HCECs	Halamoda Kenzaoui et al^Citation96
	PBCA NPs	146 nm	Human BMEC	Cellular uptake and localization	Weiss et al^Citation95
	Silica NPs	30 nm 100 nm 400 nm	Rat BMEC + pericytes	Effects of NPs with different sizes and surface modifications on brain permeability	Hanada et al^Citation97
	Nano-TiO2	25.2 nm	Rat BECs + glial cells	Effects on the integrity of the BBB and NP-induced inflammatory responses of BECs	Brun et al^Citation98
	Magnetic NPs	60 nm	Human BMVEC + AM	Nanocarriers for targeting BDNF across the BBB	Pilakka-Kanthikeel et al^Citation100
	Glucose-coated gold NPs	2 nm core	Peripheral vascular endothelial cells + AM	Transfer rate of NPs across the BBB	Gromnicova et al^Citation101
Neuroglial cells	Nano-ZnO	45 nm	Rat astrocytes	Signaling pathways involved in NP-induced apoptosis in primary astrocytes	Wang et al^Citation107
	Nano-TiO2	<25 nm	Human astrocytoma U87 cells	Cytotoxicity of NPs	Lai et al^Citation109
	Si NPs	150–200 nm	Rat microglia cells	Alterations of microglia functions	Choi et al^Citation77
	Nano-TiO2	<50 nm	Human glial cell U373 and rat glial cell C6	NP-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage in glial cells	Huerta-García et al^Citation111
Neurons	Nano-TiO2	21 nm	Rat PC12 cells	NP-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in neurons	Liu et al^Citation114
	Nano-TiO2	25 nm	SHSY5Y cells	Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of NPs on neuronal cells	Valdiglesias et al^Citation115
	Nano-ZnO	30–50 nm	Rat primary neuronal cells	NP-induced cytotoxicity and DNA damage in neurons	Chiang et al^Citation118
	Nano-Ag	50–100 nm	Hippocampal CA1 neurons	Alterations of the action potential of neurons	Liu et al^Citation121

Abbreviations: BBB, blood–brain barrier; hCMEC/D3, human cerebral microvascular endothelial cell line; NPs, nanoparticles; HCECs, human cerebral endothelial cells; PBCA, poly(n-butylcyanoacrylate); BMEC/BMVEC, brain microvascular endothelial cells; BECs, brain endothelial cells; AM, human astrocytes; BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; U373, human astrocytoma cell line grade III; C6, rat brain glial tumor cell line; PC12 cells, rat pheochromocytoma cells; SHSY5Y cells, human neuroblastoma SHSY5Y cell line.

Neurotoxicity on the in vitro BBB model

In recent years, nanomaterials have been reported to be able to overcome the BBB and to produce biologic effects on the CNS.^92,93 In many situations, the microvascular endothelial cells of the human brain are used as an in vitro BBB model, such as hCMEC/D3 cells,⁹⁴ human brain microvascular endothelial cells,⁹⁵ and human cerebral endothelial cells.⁹⁶ Rat is another common experimental animal due to its availability of resources and pathological models.^97,98 In addition to vascular endothelial cells, astrocytes play a key role in the induction and maintenance of the integrity of the BBB.⁹⁹ Thus, the two types of coculture models that have been widely utilized are as follows^100,101: (1) brain microvascular endothelial cells + astrocytes and (2) peripheral vascular endothelial cells + astrocytes. Other studies have also utilized “endothelial cells + microglia”¹⁰² and “endothelial cells + pericytes” cocultured systems.⁹⁷ At present, cell-based BBB models are the most extensively used because they are easy to obtain and maintain and they are highly effective for the screening studies of drugs and nanocarrier systems. In a recent review by Wong et al¹⁰³ the authors summarized different types of BBB models, including isolated brain capillaries, cell-based/free models, and dynamic in vitro models (Figure 4). Despite these attempts to mimic in vivo conditions, each of the in vitro BBB models possesses their own advantages and disadvantages, and none of them are completely ideal. More effective in vitro BBB models must be developed for the evaluation of the deliveries of therapeutic agents in further investigations.

Figure 4 In vitro cell culture models for the studies on drug and NP transport through the BBB.

Note: Reprinted from Adv Drug Deliv Rev, 64(7), Wong HL, Wu XY, Bendayan R. Nanotechnological advances for the delivery of CNS therapeutics. 686–700., Copyright (2012), with permission from Elsevier.¹⁰³

Abbreviations: NP, nanoparticle; BBB, blood–brain barrier.

Different in vitro studies have focused on evaluating various aspects, such as pharmacology, transport, migration, and the metabolic activity of the BBB. Research has also been focused on DNA damage, the morphological and functional changes of the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes, and other organelles, and the transportation mode of internalization, transcytosis and exocytosis. NPs have been demonstrated to be taken up by mammalian cells by such mechanisms as pinocytosis, endocytosis dependent on caveolae and lipid raft composition, and phagocytosis.¹⁰⁴ The intracellular sites of the localization of NPs vary depending on the cell type and applied method. NPs have entered the endothelial cell monolayer and have accumulated along the endo-lysosomal pathway, which affected the normal morphology and function of the BBB itself. For example, Brun et al⁹⁸ observed an accumulation of TiO₂ NPs in the endothelial cells of the brain by using an in vitro cell-based rat BBB model. An intense inflammatory response associated with a modulation of the endothelial cell functioning of the brain was also observed. Therefore, an impaired transport capacity resulting from the dysfunction of the endothelial cells of the BBB might constitute the first step in the neurodegeneration process.

Although numerous studies have considered the effects of nanomaterials to the BBB itself, a distinct lack of knowledge exists with respect to the biological effects of NP accumulation within the BBB of the neighboring cells in the CNS, particularly over the long term. Wiley et al¹⁰⁵ observed that transferrin-containing gold NPs reached and accumulated in the brain parenchyma following an intravenous injection in mice through a receptor-mediated transcytosis pathway. Raghnaill et al¹⁰⁶ also reported an accumulation over time, but there was no degradation of 100 nm PS COOH NPs within the lysosomes of the BBB model in vitro. Thus, possible long-term toxicity must be considered, and this toxicity may result from the accumulation of known “toxic” and “nontoxic” NPs.

Neurotoxicity on glial cells or neuroglia

Among all of the neuroglial cells, astrocytes and microglia have received the most attention. The astrocyte is thought to induce the barrier phenotype of cerebrovascular endothelial cells during development through the release of soluble factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor. Recently, many studies have attempted to determine the specifics of the NP–astrocyte interactions. For instance, the ZnO NP–astrocyte interaction was reported to induce an oxidative stress that could trigger cell apoptosis by activating the JNK signaling pathway in cultured primary astrocytes.¹⁰⁷ A similar finding was observed in the interactions between superparamagnetic iron oxide NPs and astrocytes.¹⁰⁸ Mixed glial cultures have often been established from the cerebral cortices of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats and purified astrocytes. Another common cell line is human glial cells (U87 astrocytes).¹⁰⁹ As the sentinels of the CNS, microglia are the first cells to respond to a disruption of the brain homeostasis and the entry of foreign particles or infectious agents. Once activated, microglia can generate ROS and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and even elicit an inflammatory response. In most cases, the macrophage cell line was adopted to evaluate its activation and inflammatory reaction. In a neurotoxicity study of Si NPs performed by Choi et al⁷⁷ even low levels of NPs were capable of increasing ROS and RNS production and inducing cytokine release. These changes had an adverse effect on the microglial function and surrounding neurons. This result was consistent with other toxicity studies that have been conducted more recently.^110,111

It was also determined that exposure to Fe₂O₃ NPs did not cause a significant release of inflammatory factors even though cell phagocytosis and a generation of ROS and NO were observed.¹¹² This finding indicated that microglial activation may also act as an alarm and defense system in the processes of the exogenous NPs invading and accumulating in the brain.

Neurotoxicity on neurons

Neuronal cell lines commonly used for in vitro studies include the following: 1) rat PC12 neuronal cells,^113,114 which have been derived from a pheochromocytoma of the rat adrenal medulla; PC12 cell lines are commonly used for the neurobiological and neurochemical assessment of NP-induced neurotoxicity; and 2) a human SHSY5Y neuroblastoma cell line,^115,116 which is perceived as an appropriate cell model for the assessment of neurotoxicity because it possesses many biochemical and functional properties of neurons.¹¹⁷ Additionally, primary culture cell lines have also been used in the evaluation of the neurotoxicity of NPs; these lines include human cortical neuronal cells (HCN-1A), rat dopaminergic neurons (N27), rat primary neuronal cells,¹¹⁸ embryonic rat striatum or cerebellar granule cells,¹¹⁹ and hippocampal CA1 and CA3 neurons.^120,121

It has now been confirmed that some nanomaterials can exploit the endocytotic pathways both to cross the BBB endothelium in vivo and to enter the neurons or glial cells in vitro.¹²² For instance, Vilella et al⁶⁶ discovered that there was an uptake of NPs in hippocampal neurons that were prepared from rats at embryonic day 18 or 19. Aside from intracellular accumulation, there was also evidence that different metal oxide NPs affect the membrane potentials of neurons and increase the neuronal firing rate by changing the responses of the potassium channels.⁹⁰ This finding was consistent with a toxicity study of nano-CuO on CA1 hippocampal neurons performed by Xu et al.¹²³ Furthermore, this toxic effect may have a physiological impact on animal behavior, which was demonstrated in rats by testing their spatial cognition capabilities.⁸¹ Recently, the impact of nanomaterials on the CNS, particularly the hippocampal neuronal cells, has been illustrated in a comprehensive review by Yang et al.¹²⁴

Studies on cell-to-cell communication

The CNS is composed of a dense network of neurons and glial cells that are highly interconnected. Therefore, cell-to-cell communication is an important factor in maintaining a functional organization. In recent years, tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) were reported as a new principle of cell-to-cell communication. As a form of membrane continuity, TNTs may be efficient communication tunnels that facilitate information and material exchange. Such communication may even occur over a relatively long distance.¹²⁵ Considering that NPs can be transported intra- and intercellularly within vesicles after internalization by the vesicle, this cell-to-cell transport may be mediated by TNT-like structures in glial and neuronal cells in vitro. Furthermore, the transport was dependent on F-actin and was increased by the induction of TNT-like structures.¹²⁶ Nevertheless, the influence of nanomaterials on cell-to-cell communication in the CNS remains unclear; thus, more in-depth studies are warranted.

Other problems and future research prospects

Alongside the rapid advances in the development of nanotechnology-based materials, it has become imperative to elucidate the toxicity of NPs. However, the safety evaluation systems of nanomaterials lag far behind their emerging development and applications. Although researchers have obtained some important information, the risks of NP exposure are not understood sufficiently well to enable the development of a science-based risk assessment. Because investigation into the possible harmful effects of NPs has only been conducted for a few years, it is not surprising that many studies suffer from shortcomings. Therefore, better testing and evaluation systems are urgently needed.

Limitations of the testing methods

Cytotoxicity in vitro is typically estimated with colorimetric tests.¹²⁷ However, Monteiro-Riviere et al¹²⁸ determined that MTT and neutral red assays, two classical dye-based assays, may produce invalid results in the testing of cell viability when applied with nanomaterials due to their interactions and/or adsorption of the dye/dye products. Furthermore, carbon nanomaterials can interact with assay markers to cause variable results in classical toxicological studies. This finding is consistent with the results of Griffiths et al.¹²⁹ For these reasons, such interactions in cytotoxicity assays must be considered. Another challenge of the testing methods lies in the accurate detection of nanomaterials in biological objects. At present, flow cytometry, induced coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, confocal microscopy, the radioactive tracer technique, and transmission electron microscopy in combination with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy are commonly used to study the cellular uptake of NPs.^130,131 However, there is not a single method that is satisfactory in obtaining precise information for all types of nanomaterials. Therefore, a combination of the utilization of different testing methods is suggested to provide more accurate results. Furthermore, different assays should be employed according to the certain types of NPs, as well as in addition to imaging techniques.¹³²

Limitations of the experimental models

Under in vivo conditions, nanomaterials could yield different effects compared with in vitro experiments.¹³³ Although the observations from in vivo studies are more representative of the situations in living organisms, in some cases, these studies may provide inaccurate results. The challenges are largely related to the experimental models (animals), which are difficult to control and could be affected by various unpredictable factors. Additionally, other considerations, such as dosimetry, the optimization of the dispersion of NPs, the evaluation of the interactions between the nanomaterials and cells, and their biodistributions, create more challenges for in vivo toxicity assessments.¹³⁴

Compared with animal studies, in vitro studies are less expensive, ethically ambiguous, and most importantly, easier to control and reproduce. The first step toward understanding how NPs will react in the body often involves cell culture studies. An increasing number of in vitro cytotoxicity studies of different nanomaterials using various cell lines, incubation times, and colorimetric assays have been published. However, many problems still exist in the studies performed under in vitro conditions. First, the appropriate selections of a set of sensitive cell lines and in vitro assays measuring the different cytotoxicity endpoints are essential to ensure the accurate identification of nanomaterial cytotoxicity.¹³⁵ However, for a certain NP, the selection of the most appropriate cell line is still difficult. To some extent, more sensitive cell models are required to determine the cytotoxicity of a certain type of NP. One example is with the use of nano-ZnO. The majority of the toxicity studies specific to ZnO NPs have relied on the use of immortalized cell lines, which display altered sensitivities to foreign materials/chemicals due to their changes in metabolic processes and significant genetic instabilities. Nevertheless, the toxicity of ZnO NPs on normal primary human cells and their potential immunomodulatory effects are often neglected. Furthermore, the cytotoxic response varies with different types of cell lines and nanomaterials, making it difficult to develop predictive models because of the lack of detailed and systematic investigations.¹³⁶ Finally, the toxic effects of NPs on rat cell lines (a common in vitro model) may not be able to accurately reflect the effects in humans.

In vitro investigations will not be able to completely determine the in vivo situations until further in vivo analyses have been performed to confirm their findings.¹³³ In a recent review by Donaldson et al¹³⁷ the authors stated that cells in culture did not experience the range of pathogenic changes that might occur under in vivo conditions, which were partially related to the issues of translocation, toxicokinetics, and coordinated tissue responses. Some other studies have also cast doubt on the results obtained from in vitro models, especially in models in submersed conditions when NPs were suspended in media that could impact the dispersion and dissolution.^15,138

The major challenges of the assessment of neurotoxicity of NPs are summarized in Figure 5.

Figure 5 Existing problems in assessing the neurotoxicity of NPs.

Note: This scheme summarizes the major limitations of the testing methods and experimental models.

Abbreviations: NPs, nanoparticles; NR, neutral red; ICP-MS, induced coupled plasma mass spectroscopy; EDX, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy; MTT, 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide.

Possible future research prospects

Until now, the understanding of nanomaterial neurotoxicology has been extremely limited. In-depth studies are warranted, particularly when considering the recent emphasis on the use of nanocarriers for drug delivery in the brain.¹³⁹ Here, we have provided some suggestions on the research prospects that require further detailed investigations.

As indicated by Laurent et al the effects of the protein corona on NP–cell interactions are often ignored at the nano–bio interface.¹⁴⁰ Because in vitro biological studies typically use low amounts (10% dilution or less, depending on cell types) of animal-derived serum, which is present in in vivo studies, NP coronas are likely to form at different protein-to-NP ratios between the in vitro and in vivo studies.¹⁴¹ In this sense, in vitro models that evaluate the NPs for brain-related diseases are supposed to use the corona-coated NPs to reflect the real in vivo situations,¹⁴² as the protein corona may cover the designed functional groups and significantly reduce the ability of NPs to cross through the cell barriers.^143,144 Another consideration with respect to the protein corona arises from the evaluation of its structural evolution over time. NPs will interact with tissues and cells in living organisms, including passing through cellular membranes and being transported to the final subcellular locations. Therefore, the detailed changes of the nanomaterial corona at these stages and their implications require further study. Additionally, as described in the limitations of the in vitro models, more appropriate cell lines should be developed. Takhar and Mahant¹⁴⁵ recently suggested the possibility of using transgenic cell lines carrying human genes, which may be more predictive to situations involving humans than the traditional rat cells.

With regard to animal studies, the effects of the life stages should be considered. First, fetal life and early childhood are vulnerable periods. These life stages are of great importance for the rapid growth of whole organism, cell differentiation, and organogenesis, and in the case of the brain, are involved in critical processes in neurodevelopment. If toxic exposures occur at these stages, they could alter the trajectory of the development of the brain, which may have minor effects in the early years and profound implications later in life.¹⁴⁶ Currently, growing evidence from animal research has confirmed that the CNS is highly vulnerable to chemical injury during development.¹⁴⁷ Therefore, particular attention should be given to determine the influence of nanomaterial exposure at these developmental stages.

Aging may also represent an important factor in the susceptibility of NP-induced neurotoxicity. Aged brains have demonstrated an increase in cytokine and microglial activation and are more vulnerable to environmental insults, particularly in pro-inflammatory stimuli,^148,149 including various NPs. In recent years, it has been predicted that many neurodegenerative diseases can result from the cumulative exposure throughout a lifetime.¹⁵⁰ This finding was consistent with the observations in another toxicity research conducted by Qin et al.¹⁵¹ In this animal study, chronic neuroinflammation in response to a single intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide, a potent inflammatory stimulus, in young adult mice only culminated in dopaminergic neurotoxicity in aged animals. Other associated factors, such as the sex and genetic background, should also be investigated.^152,153 Recently, it was reported that the differential expression of the enzyme paraoxonase 2 (PON2) between male and female brains may be responsible for a number of sex differences with regard to neurotoxicity.¹⁵² Gene–nanomaterial interactions also played an important role in NP-induced neurotoxicity, as genetic polymorphisms may modulate individual susceptibilities to nanomaterials. Given the prominent role of oxidative stress, genetically based differences in antioxidant enzymes may predispose certain individuals to significant air pollution neurotoxicities.¹⁵³

A continuous exposure may result in the significant accumulation of NPs in a secondary target organ. Therefore, it is important to obtain data on the retention characteristics of NPs in both primary and secondary target organs, as well as NP elimination pathways. No data on NP elimination in the CNS are available yet. It is conceivable that the CSF, via its connections to the nasal lymphatic system and to the circulation of blood, could be an excretory pathway for the brain, and this topic should be investigated in future studies. Indeed, from his review on CSF barriers, Segal¹⁵⁴ concluded that the CSF may act as not only a compartment for the distribution of substances to different brain regions but also an elimination route for waste products into the blood circulation because the brain has no lymphatics. However, this is a single study and need to be complemented by more systematic research on nanomaterial elimination.

Summary

Nanomaterials have made major contributions to modern dentistry in various areas, including composite resin and bonding systems, coating materials for dental implants, and dental restorations. The wide applications of these dental nanomaterials have created more exposure opportunities to these NPs in both dental staff and patients. Because the CNS may be a potential target organ of nanomaterials, it is essential to determine the neurotoxic effects of NPs. Although the impact of NPs on the CNS has received considerable attention in recent years, the data and findings obtained from the in vivo and in vitro studies are still limited. The limitations of the present testing methods and the experimental models also make it difficult to establish a science-based evaluation system. Better testing and evaluation systems are urgently needed. In conclusion, more efforts are required to ensure the safe use of nanomaterials.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31070857, 50973045, 51172283, 81400557), and the Project on the Integration of Industry, Education and Research of Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China (2012B091000147).

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in relation to this paper.