title: Immunostimulatory effects of silica nanoparticles in human monocytes.
abstract: Amorphous silica particles, whose applications are increasing in many biomedical fields, are known to be less toxic than crystalline silica. In this study, the inflammatory effects of amorphous silica nanoparticles were investigated using 30-nm amorphous silica nanoparticles and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or purified monocytes. As a result, production of IL-1β and IL-8 were increased. In addition, the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected, which may lead to mitochondrial membrane disruption. Most importantly, inflammasome formation was observed. Therefore, these results provide immunological information about amorphous silica nanoparticles and suggest that amorphous silica nanoparticles can evoke innate immune reactions in human monocytes through production of IL-1β and IL-8.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, The Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120-752, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Jeoung
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: In-Hong
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Choi
keywords: Cytokine; Human monocytes; Inflammasome; Mitochondrial membrane; Silica nanoparticles