Pseudo-colored scanning electron microscopy image: phagocytosis by a macrophage (red) of glass nanofibers (blue) after 12 h of frustrated phagocytosis; scale bar, 5 μm. Credit: Nature Nanotechnology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01575-0
The pathogenic potential of inhaling inert fibrous nanomaterials used in thermal insulation (such as asbestos or fiberglass) is in reality not linked to their chemical composition, but rather to their geometric characteristics and their size. . The reason is the inability of the macrophages naturally present in the pulmonary alveolar tissue to eliminate foreign bodies that are too large.
This is what a study carried out on glass nanofibers by a Franco-Chinese team including a chemist from the CNRS reveals. The research was published on January 3, 2024 in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
The study was initially conducted in vitro with electrochemical nanosensors. When confronted with inert nanofibers more than 15 microns in length, lung cells are unable to distend sufficiently to fully encapsulate them in their “digestive” vesicle. This results in leaks of secretions that are very harmful to the alveolar walls, which this study detected, characterized and quantified for the first time.
An experiment on rats then showed that regular and unprotected inhalation of similar inert fibrous nanomaterials, whatever they may be, causes repeated lung damage which could ultimately lead to the development of a fibroma.
This discovery poses a challenge for the use in construction of inert nanofiber felts, previously thought to be less harmful than the asbestos they replaced, but which could in reality present the same risks to the health of those who handle them. .
More information:
Yu-Ting Qi et al, Nanosensor detection of leakage of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in frustrated phagocytosis of nanofibers, Nature Nanotechnology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01575-0
Quote: The size and shape of inhaled asbestos nanofibers could be exclusively responsible for pulmonary fibrosis (2024, January 5) retrieved January 5, 2024 from
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