Direct effects of carbon nanotubes on dendritic cells induce immune suppression upon pulmonary exposure

ACS Nano. 2011 Jul 26;5(7):5755-62. doi: 10.1021/nn2014479. Epub 2011 Jun 15.

Abstract

Pharyngeal aspiration of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) caused inflammation, pulmonary damage, and an altered cytokine network in the lung. Local inflammatory response in vivo was accompanied by modified systemic immunity as documented by decreased proliferation of splenic T cells. Preincubation of naïve T cells in vitro with SWCNT-treated dendritic cells reduced proliferation of T cells. Our data suggest that in vivo exposure to SWCNT modifies systemic immunity by modulating dendritic cell function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Count
  • Dendritic Cells / cytology
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Female
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Lung / drug effects*
  • Lung / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / adverse effects*
  • Pharynx / drug effects
  • Pneumonia / chemically induced
  • Pneumonia / immunology
  • Spleen / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Nanotubes, Carbon