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Immunological properties of engineered nanomaterials

Nature Nanotechnology volume 2, pages 469–478 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Most research on the toxicology of nanomaterials has focused on the effects of nanoparticles that enter the body accidentally. There has been much less research on the toxicology of nanoparticles that are used for biomedical applications, such as drug delivery or imaging, in which the nanoparticles are deliberately placed in the body. Moreover, there are no harmonized standards for assessing the toxicity of nanoparticles to the immune system (immunotoxicity). Here we review recent research on immunotoxicity, along with data on a range of nanotechnology-based drugs that are at different stages in the approval process. Research shows that nanoparticles can stimulate and/or suppress the immune responses, and that their compatibility with the immune system is largely determined by their surface chemistry. Modifying these factors can significantly reduce the immunotoxicity of nanoparticles and make them useful platforms for drug delivery.

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Figure 1: Cell uptake of materials and the different pathways.
Figure 2: Nanoparticle properties determine their interaction with the immune system.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Nancy Rice, Serguei Kozlov, Banu Zolnik, Jennifer Hall and Anil Patri for helpful discussion and suggestions. We are grateful to Allen Kane for assistance with illustrations. This project has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, under contract N01-CO-12400. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the US Government.

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  1. Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory, Advanced Technology Program, SAIC-Frederick, NCI-Frederick, 1050 Boyles St., Bldg. 469, Frederick, 21702, Maryland

    Marina A. Dobrovolskaia & Scott E. McNeil

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Correspondence to Marina A. Dobrovolskaia.

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Dobrovolskaia, M., McNeil, S. Immunological properties of engineered nanomaterials. Nature Nanotech 2, 469–478 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2007.223

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