title: Distribution and immunotoxicity by intravenous injection of iron nanoparticles in a murine model.
abstract: With the increased application of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeNPs) for biomedical imaging purposes, concerns regarding the onset of the unexpected adverse health effects following exposure have been rapidly raised. In this study, we investigated the tissue distribution and immunotoxicity of FeNPs (2 and 4 mg kg(-1)) over time (2, 4 and 13 weeks) after single intravenous injection. At 13 weeks after a single injection, the iron levels increased in all measured tissues compared to the control, and iron accumulation was notable in the liver, spleen and thymus. These changes were accompanied by changes in levels of redox reaction-related elements, including copper, manganese, zinc and cobalt. In addition, as compared to the control, the number of white blood cells and percentage of neutrophils significantly increased in the treated groups, and the interleukin-8 secretion and lactate dehydrogenase release were clearly elevated in the treated groups along with enhanced expressions of chemotaxis-related proteins. However, expression of antigen presenting related proteins attenuated following accumulation of FeNPs. Taken together, we suggest that FeNPs may primarily induce toxicity in the liver and immune system, and immunotoxicological evaluation should be considered to predict adverse health effects following exposure to NPs.
authors.affiliation: Myunggok Eye Research Institute, Konyang University, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Jung
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Yun
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Younghun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Seoul Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Cheolho
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Toxicologic Pathology Center, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Byoung-Seok
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Doo
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.
authors.forename: Jong Sung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity*; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016209:Interleukin-8; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide
keywords: immune system; immunotoxicity; iron oxide nanoparticles; liver; tissue distribution