Contact (kallikrein/kinin) system activation in whole human blood induced by low concentrations of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles

This work evaluates the toxicity of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) in a human whole blood model where we analyzed activation markers for plasma cascade systems (the complement, contact and coagulation systems), platelet consumption and release of growth factors and chemokine/cytokines from blood cells. The α-Fe2O3 NPs induced massive activation of the contact (kinin/kallikrein) system, as well as thrombin generation, platelet activation, and release of two pro-angiogeneic growth factors: PDGF and VEGF. The conclusion is that the α-Fe2O3 NPs exhibited a noticeable toxicity, which potentially could affect angiogenesis in vivo, with implications for cancer, arteriosclerosis and pulmonary disease.232