Immune Netw.  2013 Jun;13(3):94-101. 10.4110/in.2013.13.3.94.

Immunostimulatory Effects of Silica Nanoparticles in Human Monocytes

• Yang EJ
• Choi IH

• KMID: 2150772
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4110/in.2013.13.3.94

Abstract

Amorphous silica particles, whose applications are increasing in many biomedical fields, are known to be less toxic than crystalline silica. In this study, the inflammatory effects of amorphous silica nanoparticles were investigated using 30-nm amorphous silica nanoparticles and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or purified monocytes. As a result, production of IL-1beta and IL-8 were increased. In addition, the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected, which may lead to mitochondrial membrane disruption. Most importantly, inflammasome formation was observed. Therefore, these results provide immunological information about amorphous silica nanoparticles and suggest that amorphous silica nanoparticles can evoke innate immune reactions in human monocytes through production of IL-1beta and IL-8.

Keyword

Silica nanoparticles; Human monocytes; Cytokine; Inflammasome; Mitochondrial membrane

MeSH Terms

Crystallins
Humans
Interleukin-8
Mitochondrial Membranes
Monocytes
Nanoparticles
Reactive Oxygen Species
Silicon Dioxide
Crystallins
Interleukin-8
Reactive Oxygen Species
Silicon Dioxide