In:
Nanomedicine, Future Medicine Ltd, Vol. 9, No. 9 ( 2014-07), p. 1327-1339
Abstract:
Aim: The extensive development of nanoparticles (NPs) and their widespread employment in daily life have led to an increase in environmental concentrations of substances that may pose a biohazard to humans. The aim of this work was to examine the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on the host’s pulmonary immune system response to nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) infection. Materials & Methods: A murine infection model was employed to assess pulmonary inflammation and bacterial clearance in response to exposure to ZnO-NPs. The molecular mechanisms underlying ZnO-NP-impaired macrophage activation were investigated. Results: Treatment with ZnO-NPs impaired macrophage activation, leading to a delay in NTHi clearance in the bronchial alveolar lavage fluids and lungs. Exposure to ZnO-NPs followed by NTHi challenge decreased levels of nitric oxide compared with NTHi infection alone. The effects of ZnO-NPs involved downregulation of NTHi-activated expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and the translocation of active NF-kB into the nucleus. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that exposure to ZnO-NPs can impair innate immune responses and attenuate macrophage responses to bacterial infection. Original submitted 17 December 2013; Revised submitted 3 March 2014
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1743-5889
,
1748-6963
Language:
English
Publisher:
Future Medicine Ltd
Publication Date:
2014
SSG:
15,3
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