title: Current in vitro approaches to assess nanoparticle interactions with lung cells.
abstract: The respiratory tract is in constant contact with inhaled antigens from the external environment. In order to shape its line of defense, it is populated by various types of immune cells. Taking into account the scientific breakthroughs of nanomedicine and nanoparticle drug delivery, we can think of the respiratory tract as an ideal target organ to study and develop nanocarrier-based vaccines to treat respiratory tract disorders. Nanoparticles have been proven capable of specific cell targeting and, when suitably engineered, are able to induce an immunomodulatory effect. The aim of this review is to highlight in vitro approaches to the study of nanoparticle-lung immune cell interactions and recent advances in the targeting of immune cells using nanoparticle-based systems.
authors.affiliation: Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Kleanthis
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fytianos
authors.affiliation: Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Drasler
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine, Inselspital, and Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Blank
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine, Inselspital, and Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: von Garnier
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine, Inselspital, and Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seydoux
authors.affiliation: Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Lorenzo
authors.affiliation: Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petri-Fink
authors.affiliation: Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rothen-Rutishauser
mesh_terms: D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects*; D050997:Nanomedicine; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000187:drug effects*
keywords: biomedical nanoparticles; immune modulation; in vitro approaches; lung immune cells; specific targeting