Research progress on the neurotoxicity and mechanisms of quantum dots
10.20001/j.issn.2095-2619.20240818
- VernacularTitle:量子点神经毒性与机制研究进展
- Author:
Jiaqi HUANG
1
;
Fangci SHI
;
Mingyu SONG
;
Yi WANG
;
Siyao LI
Author Information
1. School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Quantum dots;
Neurotoxicity;
Oxidative stress;
Inflammatory response;
Neuron;
Learning and memory;
Mechanism;
Research progress
- From:
China Occupational Medicine
2024;51(4):449-453
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Quantum dots are an emerging semiconductor nanocrystalline material with optical and electronic properties. Quantum dots in the environment are transmitted into human body mainly via digestive system. Quantum dots in the workplace are transmitted into human body via various pathways such as the respiratory tract and mucocutaneous surface. They cross the blood brain barrier to affect the nervous system, eventually leading to irreversible damage. Quantum dots have more complex biological toxicity than ordinary nanomaterials and metal ions, due to their core-shell structure and surface modifiers. The physicochemical properties of quantum dots, such as particle size, surface modification, and charge, greatly influence their neurotoxic effects. Quantum dots can induce oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, causing neuronal damage and functional impairment, thereby affecting learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity. Its mechanisms may be the modulation of signaling pathways such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal regulated kinase pathway. In the future, the neurotoxicity of different types of quantum dots should be systematically analyzed, and multi-omics methods should be used to elucidate the mechanism of quantum dots on neuronal damage to improve the safety of workers exposed to quantum dots.
