ИСТИНА

Engineered man-made nanomaterials (NMs) have several applications, mainly in biomedical fields, for diagnosis, drug delivery, and cancer treatment. Humans may be exposed to nanomaterials through inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, and injection. The tiny size of NMs allows them to pass more easily through cell membranes and other biological barriers. Independently of their use, source and exposure, NMs enter the bloodstream and are distributed to various organs, where they are partially metabolized, excreted, or retained. For that reason, a new branch of science named nanotoxicology, aiming to study the dangerous effects of NMs on human health and environment, has emerged. The entrance of NMs to bloodstream leads to (their) interaction with various blood cells, specifically, red blood cells (RBC), a central object in the blood circulation. The interaction of NMs with RBC may cause impairment of RBCs functionality and to their hemolysis. Among the undesirable effects induced by such interactions is the hemolytic impact, which is the disintegration of RBC due to deformation of their membranes or due to oxidative stress that initiated by NP. The broad range of compositions and physicochemical properties of NMs make them ubiquitous. Therefore, these unique compositions and physicochemical properties determine their interactions with other biological materials and the mode extent of their toxicity. Thus, the choice of a relevant in-vitro test for assessment of nanotoxicity is a critical issue of nanotechnology. In the presented study, we hypothesize that the toxicity of NMs can be preliminarily evaluated by in-vitro characterization of their compatibility with blood cells (RBCs and platelets). We used the methods of microscopy, laser diffraction, and diffuse light scattering aggregometry, as well as optical trapping of single cells. Studies of various aspects of the interaction of nano-diamond, fullerene, iron oxide Fe2O3, as well as various polymer nanoparticles with RBC of rats and humans were carried out. Particular attention was paid on the effect of the NMs on the mechanical and microrheological properties of the RBC. The interaction of the NMs with cells, their possible adsorption on the RBC membrane or penetration into the cell were studied using fluorescence microscopy. Based on the experimental data obtained in the study of the effect of the NMs of different sizes, surface properties, and functionalization, as well as of different concentrations, we discuss the possibilities of in vitro testing for the toxicity of NMs. In the future, it is planned to supplement this test by checking the effect of NMs on platelets and endothelial cells. It is expected that the results of the study of the interaction of these and other NMs with RBC in vitro can provide a basis for assessment of their cytotoxicity without conducting experiments with animals in vivo. This test will significantly reduce the need for experiments with animals when studying the effect of NMs on the human organism.