About this Research Topic
Exposure to environmental and engineered nanomaterials within the size range of 100 nm in diameter or less, has become a part of everyday life. Within this subset, ultra-small particle exposure to materials with diameters of 10 nm and under is set to increase along with a rise in strategies designed to exploit the inherent unique properties of the ultra-small. The immune system serves as our first line of defence against all foreign materials, including nanoparticles and engineered nanomaterials within the ultra-small range. As such, the immune system is a key factor in the outcomes and consequences of exposure to nanomaterials, as their interactions at various points of entry, and within the body, is something of inevitability. Nanoparticles within the conventionally defined 1-100 nm size range have been reported to exert a wide range of immuno-suppressive and immune-stimulatory effects, with size, shape, charge, and surface composition all acting to influence the outcome.
Despite the recent progression in our understanding of nanomaterials in general, little research has been dedicated to examining the effects of the interactions between nanoparticles, especially ultra-small particle, and the immune system. Greater knowledge is required to better understand the consequences of environmental exposures, especially in the long term, and to assure the development of safe and effective applications based on nanomaterials.
This Research Topic aims to further build on our current understanding of the interactions between nanoparticles and components of the immune system, the consequences of these interactions and how this interplay could be exploited. We particularly encourage submissions where the immunological impact of ultra-small materials is examined.
We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review and Mini-Review articles, which cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
• Ability of nanoparticles to cause immune suppression or stimulation.
• Studies examining possible links between nanoparticle exposure and allergic or autoimmune diseases, dementia, or cancer.
• Effects of nanoparticles on antigen processing and presentation pathways and other immune cell processes.
• The development and use of nanoparticles for therapeutic modulation of the immune system.
• Novel experimental approaches enabling the accurate assessment of nanoparticle – immune cell interactions.
• Nanoparticle-immune system interactions arising from any specific route of entry (inhalation, ingestion, dermal contact etc.).
• Adaptation of the immune system from low dose exposure to nanoparticles.
Despite the recent progression in our understanding of nanomaterials in general, little research has been dedicated to examining the effects of the interactions between nanoparticles, especially ultra-small particle, and the immune system. Greater knowledge is required to better understand the consequences of environmental exposures, especially in the long term, and to assure the development of safe and effective applications based on nanomaterials.
This Research Topic aims to further build on our current understanding of the interactions between nanoparticles and components of the immune system, the consequences of these interactions and how this interplay could be exploited. We particularly encourage submissions where the immunological impact of ultra-small materials is examined.
We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review and Mini-Review articles, which cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
• Ability of nanoparticles to cause immune suppression or stimulation.
• Studies examining possible links between nanoparticle exposure and allergic or autoimmune diseases, dementia, or cancer.
• Effects of nanoparticles on antigen processing and presentation pathways and other immune cell processes.
• The development and use of nanoparticles for therapeutic modulation of the immune system.
• Novel experimental approaches enabling the accurate assessment of nanoparticle – immune cell interactions.
• Nanoparticle-immune system interactions arising from any specific route of entry (inhalation, ingestion, dermal contact etc.).
• Adaptation of the immune system from low dose exposure to nanoparticles.
Keywords: Ultra-small nanoparticles, Ultra-fine particles, Nanoparticles, Nanomaterials, Immunotoxicity, Immune modulation, Therapeutics
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
