An autophagy inhibitor has counteracted nanoparticle-induced lung damage in mice from ployamidoamine dendrimers (cause lung damage by triggering programmed autophagic cell death), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences researchers have found.

The findings suggest that compounds could be developed that could be incorporated into the nano product to protect against lung damage, or patients could be given pills to counteract the effects. The findings could also provide important insights into how nanoparticles cause other toxic effects.