10.6084/m9.figshare.3159649.v1 Angela Ivask Angela Ivask Katre Juganson Katre Juganson Olesja Bondarenko Olesja Bondarenko Monika Mortimer Monika Mortimer Villem Aruoja Villem Aruoja Kaja Kasemets Kaja Kasemets Irina Blinova Irina Blinova Margit Heinlaan Margit Heinlaan Vera Slaveykova Vera Slaveykova Anne Kahru Anne Kahru Mechanisms of toxic action of Ag, ZnO and CuO nanoparticles to selected ecotoxicological test organisms and mammalian cells <i>in vitro</i>: A comparative review Taylor & Francis Group 2016 ecotoxicological test organisms CuO nanoparticles review mechanism NP Ag ZnO nanomaterial toxicity 2016-04-06 20:07:33 Journal contribution https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Mechanisms_of_toxic_action_of_Ag_ZnO_and_CuO_nanoparticles_to_selected_ecotoxicological_test_organisms_and_mammalian_cells_i_in_vitro_i_A_comparative_review/3159649 <p>Silver, ZnO and CuO nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly used as biocides. There is however increasing evidence of their threat to “non-target” organisms. In such a context, the understanding of the toxicity mechanisms is crucial for both the design of more efficient nano-antimicrobials, i.e. for “toxic by design” and at the same time for the design of nanomaterials that are biologically and/or environmentally benign throughout their life-cycle (safe by design). This review provides a comprehensive and critical literature overview on Ag, ZnO and CuO NPs’ toxicity mechanisms on the basis of various environmentally relevant test species and mammalian cells <i>in vitro</i>. In addition, factors modifying the toxic effect of nanoparticles, e.g. impact of the test media, are discussed. Literature analysis revealed three major phenomena driving the toxicity of these nanoparticles: (i) dissolution of nanoparticles, (ii) organism-dependent cellular uptake of NPs and (iii) induction of oxidative stress and consequent cellular damages. The emerging information on quantitative structure–activity relationship modeling of nanomaterials’ toxic effects and the challenges of extrapolation of laboratory results to the environment are also addressed.</p>