@article{BrachnerFragouliDuarteetal.2020,
  author    = {Brachner, Andreas and Fragouli, Despina and Duarte, Iola F. and Farias, Patricia M. A. and Dembski, Sofia and Ghosh, Manosij and Barisic, Ivan and Zdzieblo, Daniela and Vanoirbeek, Jeroen and Schwabl, Philipp and Neuhaus, Winfried},
  title     = {Assessment of human health risks posed by nano-and microplastics is currently not feasible},
  series = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health},
  volume    = {17},
  journal   = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health},
  number    = {23},
  issn      = {1660-4601},
  doi       = {10.3390/ijerph17238832},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-219423},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {The exposure of humans to nano-and microplastic particles (NMPs) is an issue recognized as a potential health hazard by scientists, authorities, politics, non-governmental organizations and the general public. The concentration of NMPs in the environment is increasing concomitantly with global plastic production and the usage of plastic materials. NMPs are detectable in numerous aquatic organisms and also in human samples, therefore necessitating a risk assessment of NMPs for human health. So far, a comprehensive risk assessment of NMPs is hampered by limited availability of appropriate reference materials, analytical obstacles and a lack of definitions and standardized study designs. Most studies conducted so far used polystyrene (PS) spheres as a matter of availability, although this polymer type accounts for only about 7\% of total plastic production. Differently sized particles, different concentration and incubation times, and various biological models have been used, yielding hardly comparable data sets. Crucial physico-chemical properties of NMPs such as surface (charge, polarity, chemical reactivity), supplemented additives and adsorbed chemicals have been widely excluded from studies, although in particular the surface of NMPs determines the interaction with cellular membranes. In this manuscript we give an overview about the critical parameters which should be considered when performing risk assessments of NMPs, including novel reference materials, taking into account surface modifications (e.g., reflecting weathering processes), and the possible role of NMPs as a substrate and/or carrier for (pathogenic) microbes. Moreover, we make suggestions for biological model systems to evaluate immediate toxicity, long-term effects and the potential of NMPs to cross biological barriers. We are convinced that standardized reference materials and experimental parameters along with technical innovations in (nano)-particle sampling and analytics are a prerequisite for the successful realization of conclusive human health risk assessments of NMPs.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{Appelt‐MenzelOerterMathewetal.2020,
  author    = {Appelt-Menzel, Antje and Oerter, Sabrina and Mathew, Sanjana and Haferkamp, Undine and Hartmann, Carla and Jung, Matthias and Neuhaus, Winfried and Pless, Ole},
  title     = {Human iPSC-Derived Blood-Brain Barrier Models: Valuable Tools for Preclinical Drug Discovery and Development?},
  series = {Current Protocols in Stem Cell Biology},
  volume    = {55},
  journal   = {Current Protocols in Stem Cell Biology},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1002/cpsc.122},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218509},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Translating basic biological knowledge into applications remains a key issue for effectively tackling neurodegenerative, neuroinflammatory, or neuroendocrine disorders. Efficient delivery of therapeutics across the neuroprotective blood-brain barrier (BBB) still poses a demanding challenge for drug development targeting central nervous system diseases. Validated in vitro models of the BBB could facilitate effective testing of drug candidates targeting the brain early in the drug discovery process during lead generation. We here review the potential of mono- or (isogenic) co-culture BBB models based on brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), and compare them to several available BBB in vitro models from primary human or non-human cells and to rodent in vivo models, as well as to classical and widely used barrier models [Caco-2, parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA)]. In particular, we are discussing the features and predictivity of these models and how hiPSC-derived BBB models could impact future discovery and development of novel CNS-targeting therapeutics.},
  language  = {en}
}