Chemical multi-fingerprinting of exogenous ultrafine particles in human serum and pleural effusion
Open Access
- 22 May 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Nature Communications
- Vol. 11 (1), 1-8
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-16427-x
Abstract
Ambient particulate matter pollution is one of the leading causes of global disease burden. Epidemiological studies have revealed the connections between particulate exposure and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. However, until now, the real species of ambient ultrafine particles (UFPs) in humans are still scarcely known. Here we report the discovery and characterization of exogenous nanoparticles (NPs) in human serum and pleural effusion (PE) samples collected from non-occupational subjects in a typical polluted region. We show the wide presence of NPs in human serum and PE samples with extreme diversity in chemical species, concentration, and morphology. Through chemical multi-fingerprinting (including elemental fingerprints, high-resolution structural fingerprints, and stable iron isotopic fingerprints) of NPs, we identify the sources of the NPs to be abiogenic, particularly, combustion-derived particulate emission. Our results provide evidence for the translocation of ambient UFPs into the human circulatory system, and also provide information for understanding their systemic health effects. Exposure to ambient particulate matter is one of the leading global health risks. Here, the authors reveal, by means of chemical multi-fingerprinting, the presence of exogenous ultrafine particles with diverse species and morphology in non-occupational human serum and pleural effusion.Funding Information
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (91543105, 21825403, 91843301, 21976194)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (QYZDB-SSW-DQC018, ZDBS-LY-DQC030)
This publication has 54 references indexed in Scilit:
- Asbestos, carbon nanotubes and the pleural mesothelium: a review and the hypothesis regarding the role of long fibre retention in the parietal pleura, inflammation and mesotheliomaParticle and Fibre Toxicology, 2010
- Nanoparticle safety in doubtNature, 2009
- Fine-Particulate Air Pollution and Life Expectancy in the United StatesThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2009
- Titanium Dioxide Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, Modifications, and ApplicationsChemical Reviews, 2007
- Ultrafine Particle–Lung Interactions: Does Size Matter?Journal of Aerosol Medicine, 2006
- Nanotoxicology: An Emerging Discipline Evolving from Studies of Ultrafine ParticlesEnvironmental Health Perspectives, 2005
- Translocation of Inhaled Ultrafine Particles to the BrainInhalation Toxicology, 2004
- Evidence that exogenous substances can be phagocytized by alveolar epithelial cells and transported into blood capillariesCell and tissue research, 2003
- Pulmonary and systemic distribution of inhaled ultrafine silver particles in rats.Environmental Health Perspectives, 2001
- Contributions of wood ash magnetism to archaeomagnetic properties of fire pits and hearthsEarth and Planetary Science Letters, 1993