A surreal illustration depicting nanomaterials invading a lung, with immune cells releasing MPO.

The Silent Threat: Why Nanomaterial Toxicity Should Be on Your Radar

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how myeloperoxidase (MPO) could be a game-changing biomarker in assessing the hidden dangers of nanomaterials in our environment and bodies."

In our rapidly advancing technological world, nanomaterials are increasingly prevalent, finding their way into everything from cosmetics to electronics. Defined as materials with at least one dimension measuring between 1 and 100 nanometers, these tiny structures possess unique properties that make them incredibly useful. However, their size also presents a potential risk: the ability to penetrate biological barriers and interact with our bodies in unpredictable ways.

The field of nanotoxicology seeks to understand these risks, investigating how nanomaterials interact with living organisms and the environment. One critical area of focus is pulmonary toxicity, as inhalation is a common route of exposure. When inhaled, these particles can trigger inflammation and potentially lead to irreversible damage, including fibrosis and even tumors.

Traditional methods of assessing pulmonary toxicity can be complex and time-consuming. But what if there was a quicker, more reliable way to gauge the danger? A recent study highlights the potential of myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme released by immune cells during inflammation, as a key biomarker for evaluating the pulmonary toxicity of nanomaterials. This article explores how MPO could revolutionize our understanding of nanomaterial safety.

What is Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and Why Is It Important?

A surreal illustration depicting nanomaterials invading a lung, with immune cells releasing MPO.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme primarily produced by neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system. Neutrophils are often the first responders to sites of inflammation, and MPO is one of their primary tools for attacking foreign invaders. It uses oxidative stress to degrade harmful substances, but this process can also damage surrounding tissues.

When the lungs are exposed to inhaled toxins, including nanomaterials, neutrophils rush to the site to combat the threat. The release of MPO is a direct consequence of this immune response. Scientists are beginning to understand that the level of MPO in the lungs can serve as an indicator of the degree of inflammation and potential damage caused by these materials.

Directly Involved in Lung Injury: MPO's direct action in oxidative stress makes it a key player in lung damage from inhaled substances.
Reflects Pulmonary Toxicity: Elevated MPO levels often correlate with the severity of lung inflammation, offering a measurable marker.
Potential for Early Detection: Monitoring MPO could allow for earlier detection of harmful effects from nanomaterial exposure.

The connection between MPO and inflammation is well-established, making it a promising biomarker for assessing the safety of inhaled substances. Researchers are actively exploring how MPO levels correlate with other indicators of lung damage, such as total cell counts, neutrophil presence, and the release of specific chemokines.

The Future of Nanomaterial Safety

The use of MPO as a biomarker represents a significant step forward in our ability to assess and manage the potential risks associated with nanomaterials. By providing a more reliable and efficient method for evaluating pulmonary toxicity, MPO could help ensure the safe development and application of these innovative materials. As research continues, expect to see MPO playing an increasingly important role in protecting public health and the environment.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1186/s12989-018-0277-x, Alternate LINK

Title: Usefulness Of Myeloperoxidase As A Biomarker For The Ranking Of Pulmonary Toxicity Of Nanomaterials

Subject: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Journal: Particle and Fibre Toxicology

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Taisuke Tomonaga, Hiroto Izumi, Yukiko Yoshiura, Toshihiko Myojo, Takako Oyabu, Byeong-Woo Lee, Takami Okada, Takashi Marui, Ke-Yong Wang, Masaru Kubo, Manabu Shimada, Shingo Noguchi, Chinatsu Nishida, Kazuhiro Yatera, Yasuo Morimoto

Published: 2018-10-23

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly are nanomaterials, and why are they a concern?

Nanomaterials are materials with at least one dimension between 1 and 100 nanometers. Their incredibly small size gives them unique properties that are valuable across many industries. However, this size also allows them to penetrate biological barriers within the body, potentially interacting with cells and tissues in unpredictable and harmful ways, leading to concerns about their toxicity and impact on human health and the environment. This ability to interact at a cellular level is what necessitates careful study in nanotoxicology.

How does myeloperoxidase (MPO) relate to the potential dangers of inhaled nanomaterials?

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme released by neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, during an immune response to inflammation. When nanomaterials are inhaled and cause inflammation in the lungs, neutrophils release MPO as part of the body's defense mechanism. Elevated levels of MPO in the lungs indicate the degree of inflammation and potential lung damage caused by the inhaled nanomaterials, making it a valuable biomarker for assessing pulmonary toxicity. MPO's oxidative stress activity is a direct contributor to lung injury when it's released in response to inhaled toxins such as nanomaterials.

Why is assessing the pulmonary toxicity of nanomaterials so important, and what are the potential long-term consequences of exposure?

Assessing the pulmonary toxicity of nanomaterials is crucial because inhalation is a common route of exposure, and the lungs are vulnerable to damage from these tiny particles. Long-term exposure to inhaled nanomaterials can lead to chronic inflammation, fibrosis (scarring of lung tissue), and even the development of tumors. Understanding and mitigating these risks is essential for protecting public health, especially considering the increasing use of nanomaterials in various consumer products and industrial applications. The study of myeloperoxidase (MPO) as a biomarker offers a new, quicker way to gauge the danger.

How could myeloperoxidase (MPO) be used to improve the safety and development of future nanomaterials?

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) serves as a biomarker for evaluating the pulmonary toxicity of nanomaterials. By monitoring MPO levels in the lungs, researchers can more efficiently and reliably assess the inflammatory response and potential damage caused by different nanomaterials. This information can then be used to guide the development of safer nanomaterials and to implement appropriate safety measures in industries that handle these materials. The use of MPO could lead to earlier detection of harmful effects and help ensure that the benefits of nanomaterials are not outweighed by their risks. This allows for iterative design improvements and more informed risk management.

Beyond just measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels, what other indicators of lung damage are relevant when assessing the impact of nanomaterials?

While myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a promising biomarker, a comprehensive assessment of lung damage from nanomaterials involves considering multiple indicators. These include total cell counts in the lungs, the presence and activity of neutrophils, and the release of specific chemokines (signaling molecules that attract immune cells). Researchers often correlate MPO levels with these other indicators to gain a more complete understanding of the inflammatory response and the extent of lung injury. This multifaceted approach provides a more accurate picture of the pulmonary toxicity of nanomaterials and helps to identify potential mechanisms of damage. Understanding the interplay of these factors is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate the risks associated with nanomaterial exposure.