A systematic review of evidence for silver nanoparticle-induced mitochondrial toxicity
Abstract
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2016.Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are extensively
used for their antibacterial properties in a diverse set of applications, ranging
from the treatment of municipal wastewater to infection control in hospitals. However,
the properties of AgNPs that render them conducive to bactericidal use in commerce
may influence their potential toxicity to non-bacterial organisms. Based on the physiological
and phylogenetic similarities between bacteria and mitochondria within eukaryotic
cells, mitochondria are a likely intracellular target of AgNP toxicity. Mitochondria-specific
outcomes of AgNP exposures have been identified in multiple cell types, including
(but not limited to) loss of membrane potential, inhibition of enzymes involved in
oxidative phosphorylation, and changes in calcium sequestration. However, the biological
significance of mitochondrial toxicity due to AgNP exposure is currently incompletely
understood. This review examines the existing evidence of mitochondrial toxicity induced
by AgNP exposure, with discussions of the role of the physicochemical properties of
the nanoparticles themselves in mitochondrial toxicity. The impacts of potentially
differential cell- and tissue-specific significance of AgNP-induced mitochondrial
dysfunction are also discussed.
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/12420Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1039/c5en00187kPublication Info
Maurer, LL; & Meyer, JN (2016). A systematic review of evidence for silver nanoparticle-induced mitochondrial toxicity.
Environmental Science: Nano, 3(2). pp. 311-322. 10.1039/c5en00187k. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/12420.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Show full item recordScholars@Duke
Joel Meyer
Truman and Nellie Semans/Alex Brown and Sons Associate Professor of Molecular Environmental
Toxicology
Dr. Meyer studies the effects of toxic agents and stressors on human and wildlife
health. He is particularly interested in understanding the mechanisms by which environmental
agents cause DNA damage, the molecular processes that organisms employ to protect
prevent and repair DNA damage, and genetic differences that may lead to increased
or decreased sensitivity to DNA damage. Mitochondrial DNA damage and repair, as well
as mitochondrial function in general, are a particular focus. He studies

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