Immune Response Modulation by Nanoparticle Formulations

The effects of nanoparticle (NP) composition and properties on the immune response have been highlighted to be quite numerous, involving not only the cargo (small molecules, and recently RNA) but also excipient chemistry and properties, which in turn influences NP surface charge and their hydrophilic or hydrophobic nature. Surface modifications and physical properties, such as size and shape, can also affect the response, which can be mediated, depending on NP features, by the corona of adsorbed proteins. Among the immediate, more common, consequences of NP endocytosis into neutrophils, macrophages, and other immune cells, is the occurrence of acute or chronic inflammatory response. These responses have toxicological implications but can sometimes have therapeutic relevance. The role of NP properties must be therefore considered primarily for safety concerns, but it can also support positive immune response activation such as in vaccine development, especially in the case of mucosal immunization, where the NPs are considered endowed with an adjuvant role. The role of NPs in the safety profile and therapeutic outcome of the final product is therefore of great importance and although more than ten years of specific studies have been dedicated to this subject, further research is necessary to completely clarify the many aspects involved and to contribute to the knowledge necessary for the development of medicinal products.

The Research Topic is focused on investigating the interaction of NPs with immune system cells, to dissect their effect on the immune response activation. This collection welcomes original research and review articles focussing on, but not limited to,
• Investigating the interaction of NPs with immune system cells
• Examining the role of cargo, excipient chemistry, and surface modifications on NP-immune cell interactions
• Analyzing the effects of NP composition and properties on immune response activation
• Evaluating the safety profile and therapeutic outcome of NPs in medicinal product development

The Research Topic is open to contributions involving the development of NPs aimed to affect immune response, and studies about their interaction with immune system. The role of NP properties can be therefore considered, for safety concerns but also to support positive immune response activation such as in vaccine development, especially in the case of mucosal immunization, where the NPs are often considered for their adjuvant role. Both research articles and reviews are welcome.