Clear and present danger? Engineered nanoparticles and the immune system

The innate immune system is the first line of defense against microbial invasion and involves the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by pattern recognition receptors on the surface of phagocytic cells. The immune system also responds to tissue damage, a process that...

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Main Author: Bengt Fadeel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SMW supporting association (Trägerverein Swiss Medical Weekly SMW) 2012-06-01
Series:Swiss Medical Weekly
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/1510
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author Bengt Fadeel
author_facet Bengt Fadeel
author_sort Bengt Fadeel
collection DOAJ
description The innate immune system is the first line of defense against microbial invasion and involves the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by pattern recognition receptors on the surface of phagocytic cells. The immune system also responds to tissue damage, a process that is triggered by so-called danger- or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) or “alarmins”. How do physico-chemical properties e.g., size, shape, surface charge and solubility affect immune interactions of nanoparticles? Does the adsorption of biomolecules onto the surface of nanoparticles dictate subsequent immune responses? Do engineered nanoparticles per se act as “alarmins” or does the bio-corona on nanoparticles convey a new “identity” and allow innocuous nanoparticles to present NAMPs (nanoparticle-associated molecular patterns)? Finally, what are the parameters that determine particle clearance or biodegradation in a living system? Understanding nano-immuno-interactions is critical for the safe application of engineered nanoparticles in medicine.
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spelling doaj.art-6c88a09dd21f4180ae333f9fc144d7572022-12-22T03:55:43ZengSMW supporting association (Trägerverein Swiss Medical Weekly SMW)Swiss Medical Weekly1424-39972012-06-01142252610.4414/smw.2012.13609Clear and present danger? Engineered nanoparticles and the immune systemBengt Fadeel The innate immune system is the first line of defense against microbial invasion and involves the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by pattern recognition receptors on the surface of phagocytic cells. The immune system also responds to tissue damage, a process that is triggered by so-called danger- or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) or “alarmins”. How do physico-chemical properties e.g., size, shape, surface charge and solubility affect immune interactions of nanoparticles? Does the adsorption of biomolecules onto the surface of nanoparticles dictate subsequent immune responses? Do engineered nanoparticles per se act as “alarmins” or does the bio-corona on nanoparticles convey a new “identity” and allow innocuous nanoparticles to present NAMPs (nanoparticle-associated molecular patterns)? Finally, what are the parameters that determine particle clearance or biodegradation in a living system? Understanding nano-immuno-interactions is critical for the safe application of engineered nanoparticles in medicine. https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/1510bio-coronadanger signalimmune systemnanoparticlesrecognition
spellingShingle Bengt Fadeel
Clear and present danger? Engineered nanoparticles and the immune system
Swiss Medical Weekly
bio-corona
danger signal
immune system
nanoparticles
recognition
title Clear and present danger? Engineered nanoparticles and the immune system
title_full Clear and present danger? Engineered nanoparticles and the immune system
title_fullStr Clear and present danger? Engineered nanoparticles and the immune system
title_full_unstemmed Clear and present danger? Engineered nanoparticles and the immune system
title_short Clear and present danger? Engineered nanoparticles and the immune system
title_sort clear and present danger engineered nanoparticles and the immune system
topic bio-corona
danger signal
immune system
nanoparticles
recognition
url https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/1510
work_keys_str_mv AT bengtfadeel clearandpresentdangerengineerednanoparticlesandtheimmunesystem