Pulmonary exposure to carbon black nanoparticles increases the number of antigen-presenting cells in murine lung

Particulate matters can enhance antigen-related airway inflammation and immunoglobulin production. The present study was designed to determine the effects of different sizes of nanoparticles on the antigen-presenting cells (APC) in the lung. ICR mice were exposed to vehicle, carbon black (CB) nanoparticles (14 nm or 56 Him), ovalbumin (OVA), or OVA+nanoparticles intratracheally. The expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class 11, costimulatory molecules (CD80, CD86, CD11c), and DEC205 (dendritic cell marker), F4/80 (macrophage marker), and CD19 (B-cell marker) in the lung cells was measured by flow cytometry. 14 nm nanoparticles, but not 56 nm nanoparticles, increased the number of the total lung cells. Combination of OVA and 14 nm or 56 nm nanoparticles increased the total lung cells. The expression of MHC class It and/or costimulatory molecules and the number of APC in the lung were increased by 14 nm nanoparticles in the presence or absence of OVA. The increases were more prominent with combination of OVA and 14 nm nanoparticles. 56 nm nanoparticles did not show any significant effects. 14 nm CB nanoparticles can increase the expression of MHC class It and costimulatory molecules and the number of APC in the lung, especially in the presence of antigen, which can result in subsequent antigen-related airway inflammation and immunoglobulin production.