An insight into hepatic nanotoxicology

The liver is one of the most important multi-functional organs in the human body. Amongst various crucial functions, it is the principal detoxification centre of the body, removing xenobiotics (potentially including particulates that reach the organ) and waste products. It is now established that a significant quantity of injected, ingested or inhaled nanomaterials distribute and translocate from primary exposure sites and reach and accumulate in the liver. The seminar aims to provide a brief insight into field of hepatic nanotoxicology, highlighting the knowledge gaps that currently exist and the work being carried out at Heriot-Watt in order to try and address some of these issues by:
a) utilisation of advanced multi-cellular in vitro models to allow for more physiologically relevant toxicological testing in order to bridge the gap between in vivo and in vitro data
b) in vivo studies aiming to:
1. establish the exact localisation of NMs in the organ
2. establish NM-induced toxicological alterations in vivo that can measured directly in vitro
3. utilisation of animal models which are representative of susceptible individuals in general population with pre-existing liver disease