title: Partial mitigation of gold nanoparticle interactions with human lymphocytes by surface functionalization with a 'mixed matrix'.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate interactions of gold nanoparticles with primary human lymphocytes and determine if the addition of a self-assembled monolayer of 'mixed-matrix' ligands influenced these interactions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of gold nanoparticles was measured by exposure to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy volunteers with subsequent examination of cell proliferation, cytokine secretion and CD4(+) T-cell activation relative to controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Capped and as-synthesized gold nanoparticles augmented PBMC proliferation in response to phytohemagglutinin and this effect was greater for as-synthesized than for capped gold nanoparticles. Release of IL-10 and IFN-γ from PBMCs was increased and the effect was again more marked for as-synthesized than capped gold nanoparticles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This method provides an ex vivo approach for studying the interaction of nanoparticles with the human immune system. Further research is required to determine the specific mechanisms for reduction of immune activation seen here which could then be used to design a truly 'stealth' nanoparticle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular & Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, UK. aowen@liv.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Neill J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Liptrott
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kendall
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Nieves
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rannard
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Fernig
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Owen
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D006046:Gold / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D016753:Interleukin-10; D006046:Gold; D007371:Interferon-gamma
keywords: gold nanoparticle; immune cells; immune interaction; ligand shell