| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 獸醫學研究所 === 103 === Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) possess a number of unique physical properties that make them appealing for medical applications. Recently, AuNPs have been developed for cancer immunotherapy as immune adjuvants and vehicles for delivery of cancer antigens However, the influence of AuNPs on the immune system remains mostly unclear. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of AuNPs on antigen-specific immunity in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice. A commercial preparation of AuNPs whose particle size is 50 nm was employed in the present study. The AuNPs solution formed two sizes of agglomerates (86 nm AuNPs, and 86 nm and 309 nm mixed AuNPs) after electrolyte adjustment for intravenous (IV) administration. BALB/c mice were daily administered with the agglomerated AuNPs (1 mg/kg) by IV injection from day 1-10. The mice were intraperitoneally sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) absorbed to alum on day 2. Serum levels of OVA-specific antibodies and T cell reactivity were examined on day 9. Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction was elicited by OVA challenge subcutaneously to the footpad of OVA-sensitized mice on day 10. Local inflammatory reactions were examined by measuring footpad swelling and histological analysis 24 h after the OVA challenge. Administration with AuNPs increased the spleen index and the population of CD11b+ cells in the spleen. The production of interferon (IFN)-γ by splenocytes re-stimulated with OVA in culture was markedly enhanced by AuNPs, whereas the metabolic activity of OVA-stimulated splenoyctes was unaffected. In addition, AuNPs enhanced the production of IL-1β, IL-10 and TNF-α by splenocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Serum levels of OVA-specific antibodies and DTH reaction were unaltered by AuNPs treatment. Collectively, the results demonstrated that systemic exposure to AuNPs affected some aspects of immunity in OVA-sensitized mice, including the increase of the spleen index and splenic CD11b+ population, and the enhancement of the production of IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-10 and TNF-α by splenocytes.
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