Interaction of Nanoparticles with Blood Components and Associated Pathophysiological Effects

Abstract

Nanotechnology currently plays a pivotal role in several fields and has enabled substan- tial advances in a relatively short time. In biomedicine, nanomaterials can be potentially employed as a tool for early diagnosis and an innovative mode of drug delivery. Novel nanomaterials are currently widely manipulated without a full assessment of their poten- tial health risks. It is commonly thought that nanomaterials’ first contact with the organism is through the different components of the immune system. However, if the entry route is intravenous, the first contact will be with the blood’s components (erythrocytes, platelets, white cells, plasma and complement proteins). The presence of nanomaterials within a dynamic environment such as the bloodstream can produce potential harmful effects fol- lowing interaction with several blood components. The design of innovative strategies leading to the development of more hemocompatible nanomaterials is also necessary.