Interactions of nanomaterials with the immune system

Evaluation of the immunomodulatory potentials of nanomaterials is essential for developing safe and consumer-friendly nanotechnology. Various nanomaterials interact with the immune system, in a beneficial or deleterious way, but mechanistic details about such interactions are scarce. A lack of agreed-upon guidelines for evaluating the immunotoxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) adds to the complexity of the issue. Various review articles have summarized the immune system interactions of biodegradable NPs (with pharmaceutical uses), but such information is largely lacking for nonbiodegradable NPs. Here we give an overview of interactions of nonbiodegradable, persistent NPs with the immune system. Particular emphases include key factors that shape such interactions, cell-specific responses, allergy and immune-sensitive respiratory disorders. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2012, 4:169183. doi: 10.1002/wnan.166