Metal Nanoparticles in Infection and Immunity

ABSTRACT

Background

Enthusiasm for the use of metal nanoparticles in human and veterinary medicine is high. Many articles describe the effects of metal nanoparticles on microbes in vitro, and a smaller number of articles describe effects on the immune system, which is the focus of this review.

Methods

Articles were retrieved by performing literature searches in Medline, of the National Institute of Medicine, as well as via Google Scholar.

Results

In vitro studies show that metal nanoparticles have antimicrobial effects. Some metal nanoparticles augment innate host immune defenses, such as endogenous antimicrobial peptides, and nitric oxide. Metal nanoparticles may also function as vaccine adjuvants. Metal nanoparticles can migrate to locations distant from the site of administration, however, requiring careful monitoring for toxicity.

Conclusions

Metal nanoparticles show a great deal of potential as immunomodulators, as well as direct antimicrobial effects. Before metal particles can be adopted as therapies; however, more studies are needed to determine how nanoparticles migrate though the body and on possible adverse effects.

KEYWORDS:

• Gold
• silver
• zinc
• nitric oxide
• vaccine adjuvants

Disclosure

The author has no competing interests or conflicts of interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

The author has received grant support from the National Institutes of Health, NIAID, for work on zinc on the SOS response in bacteria, via grant R21 AI 145836. This work on zinc is not specifically focused on nanoparticles; however,National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases [R21 145836-01].