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Posted: Jun 11th, 2012 Scientists claim that nanoparticles in polluted air, smoke andnanotechnology products have serious impact on health ( Nanowerk News ) New groundbreaking research by scientists at Trinity CollegeDublin has found that exposure to nanoparticles can have a seriousimpact on health, linking it to rheumatoid arthritis and thedevelopment of other serious autoimmune diseases. The findings thathave been recently published in the international journal Nanomedicine ( "Citrullination of proteins: a common post-translationalmodification pathway induced by different nanoparticles in vitroand in vivo" ) have health and safety implications for the manufacture, use andultimate disposal of nanotechnology products and materials. Theyalso identified new cellular targets for the development ofpotential drug therapies in combating the development of autoimmunediseases. Environmental pollution including carbon particles emitted by carexhaust, smoking and long term inhalation of dust of variousorigins have been recognised as risk factors causing chronicinflammation of the lungs. The link between smoking and autoimmunediseases such as rheumatoid arthritis has also been established.This new research now raises serious concerns in relation tosimilar risks caused by nanotechnology products which if nothandled appropriately may contribute to the generation of new typesof airborne pollutants causing risks to global health. In their research, the Nanomedicine and Molecular Imaging team atTrinity College Dublin's School of Medicine led by Professor ofMolecular Medicine, Yuri Volkov investigated whether there was acommon underlying mechanism contributing to the development ofautoimmune diseases in human cells following their exposure to awide range of nanoparticles containing different physical andchemical properties. The scientists applied a wide range of nanomaterials includingultrafine carbon black, carbon nanotubes and silicon dioxideparticles of different sizes, ranging from 20 to 400 nanometres, tohuman cells derived from the lining of the airway passages, and tothe cells of so-called phagocytic origin - those cells that aremost frequently exposed to the inhaled foreign particles or aretasked with cleaning up our body from them. At the same time,collaborating researchers from the Health Effects LaboratoryDivision, National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health(Morgantown, WV, USA) have conducted the studies in mice exposed tochronic inhalation of air contaminated with single walled carbonnanotubes. The result was clear and convincing: all types of nanoparticles inboth the TCD and US study were causing an identical response inhuman cells and in the lungs of mice, manifesting in the specifictransformation of the amino acid arginine into the molecule calledcitrulline which can lead to the development of autoimmuneconditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. In the transformation to citrulline, human proteins whichincorporate this modified amino acid as building blocks, can nolonger function properly and are subject to destruction andelimination by the bodily defence system. Once programmed to getrid of citrullinated proteins, the immune system can startattacking its own tissues and organs, thereby causing theautoimmune processes which may result in rheumatoid arthritis. Commenting on the significance of the findings, TCD's ProfessorVolkov says: "The research establishes a clear link betweenautoimmune diseases and nanoparticles. Preventing or interferingwith the resulting citrullination process looks therefore as apromising target for the development of future preventative andtherapeutic approaches in rheumatoid arthritis and possibly otherautoimmune conditions.". The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as Electric Forklift Truck , Concrete Mixer Truck Manufacturer, and more. For more , please visit Howo Tractor Truck today!
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