Perturbation of autophagy: An intrinsic toxicity mechanism of nanoparticles

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2022-06, Vol.823, p.153629-153629, Article 153629
• Main Authors: Zhou, Xiaofei, Jin, Weitao, Sun, Hainan, Li, Chengjun, Jia, Jianbo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autophagy; Biosafety; Molecule mechanism; Nanotoxicity; Signaling pathway
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153629

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely used for various purposes due to their unique physicochemical properties. Such widespread applications greatly increase the possibility of human exposure to NPs in various ways. Once entering the human body, NPs may interfere with cellular homeostasis and thus affect the physiological system. As a result, it is necessary to evaluate the potential disturbance of NPs to multiple cell functions, including autophagy. Autophagy is an important cell function to maintain cellular homeostasis, and minimizing the disturbance caused by NP exposures to autophagy is critical to nanosafety. Herein, we summarized the recent research progress in nanotoxicity with particular focuses on the perturbation of NPs to cell autophagy. The basic processes of autophagy and complex relationships between autophagy and major human diseases were further discussed to emphasize the importance of keeping autophagy under control. Moreover, the most recent advances on perturbation of different types of NPs to autophagy were also reviewed. Last but not least, we also discussed major research challenges and potential coping strategies and proposed a safe-by-design strategy towards safer applications of NPs. [Display omitted] •Manufactured NPs are emerging contaminants widely used in various areas.•Autophagy is an important cell function to maintain cellular homeostasis.•Perturbation of autophagy is an intrinsic toxicity mechanism of NPs.•Understanding the autophagy disturbance caused by NPs is critical for nanosafety.