Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 12, 2026
07:33
Bioluminescence Imaging for Assessment of Immune Responses Following Implantation of Engineered Heart Tissue EHT
Published on: June 1, 2011
10.2K
Immune responses to engineered nanomaterials: current understanding and challenges.
Nasser B Alsaleh1, Jared M Brown1
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Current Opinion in Toxicology
|March 27, 2018
Summary
Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) can alter immune responses, causing inflammation or immunosuppression. Understanding their interaction with immune cells and the biocorona is crucial for assessing ENM safety.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterial science
- Immunotoxicology
- Environmental health
Background:
- Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) possess unique properties driving their widespread application.
- Increasing use of ENMs in consumer goods necessitates evaluation of potential human and environmental health risks.
- Exposure to ENMs commonly results in modulated immune responses, including inflammation and immunosuppression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key studies on the immunomodulatory effects of ENMs.
- To identify challenges in understanding the cellular mechanisms of ENM-induced immune toxicity.
- To highlight the role of the biocorona in ENM-immune system interactions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on ENM-immune system interactions.
- Analysis of studies investigating ENM effects on immune cells (e.g., mast cells, antigen-presenting cells).
- Examination of research on complement activation pathways influenced by ENMs.
Main Results:
- ENMs interact with immune cells and complement systems, impacting innate and adaptive immunity.
- Formation of a biocorona around ENMs alters their interaction with biological systems.
- ENM exposure can lead to diverse immune outcomes, from hypersensitivity to immunosuppression.
Conclusions:
- Cellular mechanisms underlying ENM immunomodulation and toxicity require further investigation.
- The biocorona significantly influences ENM-mediated immune responses.
- Comprehensive research is needed to ensure the safe application of ENMs.
Related Concept Videos
01:36Humoral Immune Responses
84.1K
Overview
84.1K
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
84.3K
Overview
84.3K
01:23Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
9.1K
The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
9.1K
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
2.1K
The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
2.1K
01:28Cells of the Innate Immune Response
9.5K
The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
9.5K
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
7.6K
Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
7.6K