Innate but Not Adaptive Immunity Regulates Lung Recovery from Chronic Exposure to Graphene Oxide Nanosheets. Issue 11 (15th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Loret, Thomas; de Luna, Luis Augusto Visani; Fordham, Alexander; Arshad, Atta; Barr, Katharine; Lozano, Neus; Kostarelos, Kostas; Bussy, Cyrill
• Is Part Of: Advanced science. Volume 9:Issue 11(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-02-15
• Subjects: adaptive immunity -- chronic exposure -- graphene oxide -- innate immunity -- lungs -- nanomaterials; Science -- Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1002/advs.202104559
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2198-3844

Abstract

Abstract: Graphene has drawn a lot of interest in the material community due to unique physicochemical properties. Owing to a high surface area to volume ratio and free oxygen groups, the oxidized derivative, graphene oxide (GO) has promising potential as a drug delivery system. Here, the lung tolerability of two distinct GO varying in lateral dimensions is investigated, to reveal the most suitable candidate platform for pulmonary drug delivery. Following repeated chronic pulmonary exposure of mice to GO sheet suspensions, the innate and adaptive immune responses are studied. An acute and transient influx of neutrophils and eosinophils in the alveolar space, together with the replacement of alveolar macrophages by interstitial ones and a significant activation toward anti‐inflammatory subsets, are found for both GO materials. Micrometric GO give rise to persistent multinucleated macrophages and granulomas. However, neither adaptive immune response nor lung tissue remodeling are induced after exposure to micrometric GO. Concurrently, milder effects and faster tissue recovery, both associated to a faster clearance from the respiratory tract, are found for nanometric GO, suggesting a greater lung tolerability. Taken together, these results highlight the importance of dimensions in the design of biocompatible 2D materials for pulmonary drug delivery system. Abstract : This work highlights the need to interrogate both innate and adaptive immunity to understand the impact of materials. Only the innate immunity is involved in the response to chronic pulmonary exposure to graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets, whereas multi‐walled carbon nanotubes activate both innate and adaptive immunity, and lead to fibrosis. Amongst all tested materials, nanometric GO has the safest profile.