Physicochemical mechanisms of mineral nanoparticles effects on pulmonary gas/liquid interface studied in model systems

Inhaled mineral nanoparticles which are deposited on the lung surface may influence the gas/liquid barrier and the pulmonary surfactant (PS) which constitutes the vital element of the respiratory system. This research is focused on the physicochemical effects caused by selected clay nanoparticles (bentonite, halloysite, montmorillonites) interacting with PS and changing its original surface activity. Using three measuring methods (pulsating bubble technique, Langmuir balance and drop shape analysis), we demonstrated the influence of different mineral nanoparticles on the dynamic surface tension of animal-derived PS material (Survanta®) and main surfactant phospholipid (DPPC). The results which are dependent on material properties and concentration allow to hypothesize possible pathways of health effects from inhalation of mineral nanoparticles. This may help to set the guidelines in defining occupational safety standards and methods of protection of the respiratory system against inhaled mineral dusts.