title: Immunomodulatory properties of nanoparticles obtained by ultrasonic spray pirolysis from gold scrap.
abstract: We prepared 5 different fractions of nanoparticles from the gold scrap, by using a new technology, Ultrasonic Spray Pirolysis (USP). The aim of this study was to characterize the microstructure and cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles along with their immunomodulatory properties, using Concanavaline A (ConA)-treated rat splenocytes as a model of activated immune cells. Fractions 1 and 2, composed of pure gold nanoparticles, although non-cytotoxic, reduced cellular proliferation. Fraction 2, containing particles smaller in size and lesser agglomerated than fraction 1, up- and down-regulated the production of IL-2 and IL-10, respectively, by activated splenocytes. Fraction 3, containing nanoparticles composed of Au and up to 3 at.% Cu, was non-cytotoxic, but reduced IL-2 production and cell proliferation. Fractions 4 and 5, contaminated with alloying elements from the gold scrap, were cytotoxic. The extent of cytotoxicity and subsequent reduction of cytokine production, as well as the mode of cell death, depended on their composition. In conclusion, we showed that USP enables the synthesis of gold nanoparticles, which could be suitable for various biological applications, and that ConA-treated splenocytes represent a reliable model for fast and accurate evaluation of the immunotoxicological profiles of these particles. However, it is necessary to improve this technology and investigate further some of the immunomodulatory mechanisms using more specific immunological tests.
authors: Military Medical Academy Institute of Medical Research, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors: Jelena
authors: J
authors: Dokić
authors: Rebeka
authors: R
authors: Rudolf
authors: Sergej
authors: S
authors: Tomić
authors: Srećko
authors: S
authors: Stopić
authors: Bernd
authors: B
authors: Friedrich
authors: Bojan
authors: B
authors: Budic
authors: Ivan
authors: I
authors: Anzel
authors: Miodrag
authors: M
authors: Colić
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D051381:Rats; D013010:Sonication; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D005740:Gases; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007220:Industrial Waste; D006046:Gold