title: Potential impact of metal oxide nanoparticles on the immune system: The role of integrins, L-selectin and the chemokine receptor CXCR4.
abstract: The impact of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) on the immune system has been studied in vitro using human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). Metal oxide NPs (ZnO, CeO2, TiO2 and Al2O3) induced changes in the expression levels of adhesion molecules and the C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) in these cells. Proliferation studies were carried out with CFSE in response to PHA, finding an increase in T-cell proliferation upon cell exposure to TiO2 and Al2O3 NPs. For ZnO NPs, a decrease in the chemotactic response to SDF-1α was observed. No changes were found in basophil activation and leukocyte oxidative burst after phagocytosis. Despite the absence of cytotoxicity, metal oxide NPs are not inert; they alter the expression levels of adhesion molecules and chemokine receptors, key actors in the immune response, and affect important cell functions such as T-cell proliferative response to mitogens and chemotaxis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This study demonstrates the immune-modulating effects of four different metal nanoparticles in a human peripheral blood lymphocyte model system. These effects were clearly present even though these nanoparticles did not display cytotocity in ex vivo experiments.
authors.affiliation: Immunology, Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO) and Institute of Biomedical Research of Vigo (IBIV), University of Vigo, Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain.
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lozano-Fernández
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Inmunología, Hospital Universitario Donostia, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain.
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ballester-Antxordoki
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Inmunología, Hospital Universitario Donostia, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain.
authors.forename: Nerea
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pérez-Temprano
authors.affiliation: CIC Biomagune, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.affiliation: CIC Biomagune, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sanz
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Epidemiología Clínica e Investigación, Hospital Universitario Donostia, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain.
authors.forename: Maite
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iglesias-Gaspar
authors.affiliation: CIC Biomagune, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moya
authors.affiliation: Immunology, Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO) and Institute of Biomedical Research of Vigo (IBIV), University of Vigo, Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain. Electronic address: africa@uvigo.es.
authors.forename: África
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: González-Fernández
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Inmunología, Hospital Universitario Donostia, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain. Electronic address: MARIADELAMERCEDES.REYREY@osakidetza.net.
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rey
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D010087:Oxides / Q000633:toxicity*; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000276:immunology*; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D010087:Oxides; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4
keywords: CXCR4; Integrin; Lymphocyte; Metal oxide nanoparticles; Selectin