Zinc oxide nanoparticles provide an adjuvant effect to ovalbumin via a Th2 response in Balb/c mice.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNPs) have been used in dietary supplements and may cause an immunomodulatory effect. The present study investigated the effect of ZNPs on antigen-specific immune responses in mice sensitized with the T-cell-dependent antigen ovalbumin (OVA). BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally administered ZNPs (0.25, 0.5, 1 and 3mg) once, in combination with OVA, and the serum antibodies, splenocyte reactivity and activation of antigen-presenting cells were examined. The serum levels of OVA-specific IgG1 and IgE were found significantly enhanced by treatment with ZNPs over control. An increased level of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17 and decreased level of IL-10 and TNF-α in splenocytes administered with ZNPs were observed in comparison with control. The ZNPs and OVA-stimulated T lymphocytes showed enhanced proliferation compared with control. Macrophages and B cells showed high expression of MHC class II, whereas higher expression of CD11b in macrophages of the ZNPs and ZNPs/OVA treated groups was observed. The lungs and spleen had increased eosinophils and mast cell numbers. Also, myeloperoxidase activity in lungs was found to be increased by 2.5-fold in the case of ZNPs and 3.75-fold increase in ZNPs/OVA, whereas in intestine, there was significant increase in both the groups. Increased expression of the genes for GATA-3, SOCS-3, TLR-4, IL-13 and IL-5 in the intestine was observed. Collectively, these data indicate that systemic exposure to a single administration of ZNPs could enhance subsequent antigen-specific immune reactions, including the serum production of antigen-specific antibodies, and the functionality of T cells.
Food, Drug and Chemical Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, M.G. Marg, PO Box 80, Lucknow 226001, India.
Ruchi
R
Roy
Sandeep
S
Kumar
Alok K
AK
Verma
Akanksha
A
Sharma
Bhushan P
BP
Chaudhari
Anurag
A
Tripathi
Mukul
M
Das
Premendra D
PD
Dwivedi
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D000071223:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein; D050826:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016207:Cytokines; D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor; C494749:GATA3 protein, human; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; C491411:Socs3 protein, mouse; D000071223:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein; D050826:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin; D015034:Zinc Oxide
allergy; anaphylaxis; antigen-presenting cells; cytokines; mast cells