Bridle, TristenGailer, Juergen2021-09-102021-09-102021-06-04Bridle, T. G., Kumarathasan, P., & Gailer, J. (2021). Toxic Metal Species and “Endogenous” Metalloproteins at the Blood–Organ Interface: Analytical and Bioinorganic Aspects. Molecules, 26(11), 3408. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules26113408http://hdl.handle.net/1880/113838https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/39175PerspectiveGlobally, human exposure to environmental pollutants causes an estimated 9 million deaths per year and it could also be implicated in the etiology of diseases that do not appear to have a genetic origin. Accordingly, there is a need to gain information about the biomolecular mechanisms that causally link exposure to inorganic environmental pollutants with distinct adverse health effects. Although the analysis of blood plasma and red blood cell (RBC) cytosol can provide important biochemical information about these mechanisms, the inherent complexity of these biological matrices can make this a difficult task. In this perspective, we will examine the use of metalloen-tities that are present in plasma and RBC cytosol as potential exposure biomarkers to assess human exposure to inorganic pollutants. Our primary objective is to explore the principal bioinorganic processes that contribute to increased or decreased metalloprotein concentrations in plasma and/or RBC cytosol. Furthermore, we will also identify metabolites which can form in the bloodstream and which contain essential as well as toxic metals for use as exposure biomarkers. While the latter metal species represent useful biomarkers for short-term exposure, endogenous plasma metal-loproteins represent indicators to assess the long-term exposure of an individual to inorganic pollutants. Based on these considerations, the quantification of metalloentities in blood plasma and/or RBC cytosol is identified as a feasible research avenue to better understand the adverse health effects that are associated with chronic exposure of various human populations to inorganic pollutants. Exposure to these pollutants will likely increase as a consequence of technological advances, including the fast-growing applications of metal-based engineering nanomaterials.engUnless otherwise indicated, this material is protected by copyright and has been made available with authorization from the copyright owner. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.toxic metals/metalloidschronic exposurebloodstreambioinorganic chemistrymetalloproteinbiomarkermechanism of toxicityjournal article10.3390/molecules26113408