Mechanisms of gold and magnetic nanoparticle effects on renal cells

Project leader: Andrea Bábelová
Project duration: 2015 - 2018

Kidney is a unique organ characteristic by the high degree of heterogenity. Each cell type in the kidney has a distinct gene expression pattern and changes in the cellular composition largely impact on gene expression that is closely linked to the cell function. Different types of kidney cells have varying sensitivities to toxic substances that may accumulate in kidneys, including nanoparticles. Prolonged residency of nanoparticles in the kidney has been shown to induce toxicity with hallmarks similar to glomerulonephritis affecting all types of renal glomerular cells as mesangial cells, fibroblasts, or podocytes what may form a basis for reduced glomerular filtration capacity in nephrotic kidneys. Similarly, nanoparticle accumulation in the tubular basement membrane can be detrimental to tubular epithelial cells and so alter the ability of solute reabsorption by the kidney. Considering expansion of nanoparticles into biomedicine the type of renal toxicity studies are required to avoid potential health risks.

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