Nanoparticles Can Limit Inflammation By Distracting the Immune System

      Researchers at the University of Michigan have recently found that nanoparticles may be able to significantly reduce inflammation by cutting off the process at its source. The researchers originally intended to use plastic nanoparticles to deliver drugs to blood vessel walls. However, they found that neutrophils were removing the nanoparticles and taking them to the liver instead of allowing them to adhere to blood vessel walls. Neutrophils are first-responder white blood cells that induce acute inflammation at the site of an injury. Low neutrophil counts are dangerous due to lowering of the immune response. However, overreaction of neutrophils can be incredibly dangerous as well; inflammation is a key cause or symptom of a multitude of diseases and lethal reactions. The neutrophils were effectively diverted from causing inflammation at the site of injury by prioritizing removal of the plastic nanoparticles. While this is an important discovery, the researchers are continuing to study nanoparticles as drug carriers. The interaction with neutrophils may be evaded by using nonfouling (protein-resistant) materials in tandem with targeting chemicals as a coating for the nanoparticles.

     This finding has potential ramifications for the fates of many diseases that are caused or exacerbated by inflammation, such as depression, Alzheimer’s, asthma, sepsis, and immune overreactions to injuries. If inflammation is caught early enough, a curative injection of nanoparticles could disrupt the progression of the disease. This treatment could be particularly useful in reducing the lethality of sepsis. Sepsis is caused by heavy, body-wide inflammation in response to infection. This treatment could be particularly useful in reducing the lethality of sepsis; it is a common cause of death among hospitalized patients. Hospitals could maintain a supply of these nanoparticles and start an IV at the first sign of sepsis. Not only would this reduce the death rate, it would also reduce malpractice lawsuits. I find this useful on a personal level due to a propensity toward major depressive episodes. SSRIs and SNRIs have a long adjustment period that does not diminish symptoms of depression while producing uncomfortable side effects. This leads to prolonged reduced function in multiple areas of life. The resulting effects on productivity, social life, sleep, and diet tend to deepen depression before it can be affected by antidepressants. I would be willing to try an injection of nanoparticles at the onset of a depressive episode in hopes that it could circumvent the disruption of my life by depression.

Source: http://ns.umich.edu/new/multimedia/videos/25244-nanoparticles-can-limit-inflammation-by-distracting-the-immune-system